QUATERNARY

STRUCTURE OF PROTEIN
BY
S.RUTHIRA KUMAR
1ST Yr – MBBS
Govt. Vellore Medical College
 INTRODUCTION
A protein is a naturally
occurring, extremely complex
substance and it is an important
class of biological macromolecules
which are the polymer of amino
acid.
The Amino acid in a
polypeptide chain are linked by
peptide bonds.

07/20/2023 2
Levels of Proteins :
Four levels of structure are frequently cited in
discussion of protein architecture
» Primary Structure
» Secondary Structure
» Tertiary Structure
» Quaternary Structure

07/20/2023 3
PRIMARY STUCTURE :
These are refers as a sequence of amino acids
present in the polypeptide chain and they are linked
by the peptide bonds.

SECONDARY STRUCTURE :
These are refers to regular, local structure of
the protein backbone, stabilised by intramolecular
and sometimes intermolecular hydrogen bonding
of amide groups. It is exist in the form of
• Alpha Helix
• Beta-Pleated Sheet
07/20/2023 4
TERITARY STRUCTURE :
• These are refers to the overall three-
dimensional arrangement of its polypeptide chain in
space. It is generally stabilized by outside polar
hydrophilic hydrogen and ionic bond interactions

07/20/2023 5
 QUATERNARY STRUCTURE
 The Quaternary protein structure involves in
the cluster of several individual peptide chain
into a final specific shape.
 A Variety of bonding interactions including
hydrogen bonding, salt bridges, and disulfide
bonds hold the various chains into a particular
geometry.
 There are two major Categories of protein
with Quaternary structure – Fibrous and Globular.
07/20/2023 6
Fibrous Protein :
• Fibrous proteins are made up of sheet-
like filamentous structures. Fibrous
proteins have low solubility in water.
• Fibrous proteins are made up of
regular amino acid sequences. The
most common form of fibrous protein
is collagen.

07/20/2023 7
1. Collagen- It is the most abundant protein in humans
(30%). It is made up of amino acids which are further
made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It gives
strength to our various body parts and also protects
them. It is a major part of human skin and nails.
2. Keratin- It is a type of fibrous protein which is
present in our hair, nails, and skin. It can also be
found in most of the organs inside our body. 

07/20/2023 8
Globular Proteins :
• Globular proteins have a spherical
structure. These proteins are mostly
soluble in water and form colloids.
• Insulin: Insulin is also an Globular
protein. It is formed in our pancreas
which regulates the level of sugar in
our body. It allows glucose to enter
our body so that the cells can
provide energy. 

07/20/2023 9
 HEMOGLOBIN
• Haemoglobin [Hb or Hgb] is the iron
containing oxygen transporter in red blood
cells of all vertebrates.
• Hb A is Haemoglobin found exclusively in
RBC’s of adults, and is composed of four
polypeptide chains.
• It is the common globular protein with
quaternary structure

07/20/2023 10
07/20/2023 11
 • Hemoglobin is best example for the
quaternary structure, and it consist of four
Peptide chain.
• 4 units of Heme attached to 1 unit of Globin.
• So 1 Hemoglobin molecules contains 4 Iron
Atoms which carry 4 molecules of oxygen.
• They are
»2-Alpha subunits with 141 AA
»2-Beta subunits with 146 AA

07/20/2023 12
07/20/2023 13
Protein Structure Determination :
• X-Ray crystallography
• NMR spectroscopy
• Mass spectroscopy
By Using this Methods, We can determine the
structure of Protein.

07/20/2023 14
Significance :
• Proteins with a quaternary structure can
undergo complex conformational changes,
where individual subunits can change shape or
orientation with respect to one another.
• This high degree of flexibility in
conformation allows for functional regulation
and is crucial to fulfill physiological functions

07/20/2023 15
Clinical Correlation :
Rhinovirus
• Rhinovirus C, along with rhinoviruses A and
B, is a leading cause of common colds.
• These viruses can also cause severe respiratory
infections in infants and young children
• It has a viral coat of 240 subunits, with 60
copies of 4 different subunits.

07/20/2023 16
 References….
• Textbook of Biochemistry, DM Vasudevan, 10th
edition…
• Lippincott Illustrated Reviews… of
Biochemistry (South Asian Edition…)
• Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, 31st
Edition…

07/20/2023 17
 Thank you

07/20/2023 18