Methods for Determining 3-D Protein Structures

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to the methods for determining protein structures as discussed in the lecture.

X-ray Crystallography

A method that uses a focused X-ray beam directed at a protein crystal, creating patterns that are transformed into 3D electron density maps.

Myoglobin

The first protein structure solved by X-ray crystallography in 1957, enabling the study of protein structures.

AlphaFold

An AI-assisted modeling algorithm that utilizes a vast protein database to predict protein structures, revolutionizing biochemistry.

NMR Spectroscopy

A technique that exploits nuclear magnetic properties of isotopes to reveal protein interatomic distances and bonding patterns.

Cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM)

A method to obtain 3D structures from electron beam images of flash-frozen proteins without the need for crystallization.

Nitrophorin 2

A protein in the saliva of the kissing bug that binds nitric oxide and facilitates vasodilation, analyzed using X-ray diffraction.

Ribbon Models

Visual representations of protein secondary structures, such as α-helices and β-strands, highlighting their structural motifs.

Electrons in X-ray Crystallography

High electron density atoms in a protein crystal diffract X-rays, producing patterns analyzed to determine protein structure.

Cryo-EM Step Process

Involves five steps to generate molecular models of large multi-subunit protein complexes.

DeepMind Protein Database

A collection of over 200 million predicted protein structures that supports the AlphaFold software in modeling protein conformations.