Protein Structure and Conformation

Flashcards about protein structure and conformation.

Conformation

The fold, or structure, of a protein. Can refer to local or overall structure.

Native Conformation

The biologically active folded structure of a protein.

Primary Structure

The sequence of amino acids in a protein, without any intrinsic fold.

Secondary Structure

Local folds in the linear peptide chain, such as alpha helices and beta sheets.

Tertiary Structure

The overall three-dimensional arrangement of alpha helices and beta sheets in a peptide.

Quaternary Structure

The arrangement of multiple peptide chains (subunits) associating to form a single protein.

Domains

Specific clusters of secondary structure elements in a tertiary configuration that remain folded even when separated from the rest of the protein.

Prosthetic Group

Non-amino acid protein elements covalently joined to the protein.