Exploring the Marvels of Biological Macromolecules: The Molecular Machinery of Life (Part 3)
Proteins and Enzymes: Catalysts of Molecular Reactions
Proteins are the central players in macromolecular interactions. Enzymes, a specialized class of proteins, catalyze biochemical reactions with remarkable specificity. They bind to substrates, facilitate reactions, and release products, ensuring that cellular processes occur with precision.
Protein-Protein Interactions: Orchestrating Cellular Functions
Proteins often interact with other proteins to form dynamic complexes. These interactions are pivotal in processes such as signal transduction, where cascades of protein-protein interactions transmit signals within cells, regulating diverse functions such as growth, metabolism, and immune responses.
Protein-Ligand Interactions: Molecular Recognition
Proteins can also interact with small molecules called ligands. Receptor proteins, for instance, bind to ligands such as hormones, neurotransmitters, or drugs, initiating cellular responses. These interactions rely on specific binding sites and molecular recognition.
Protein-DNA Interactions: Controlling Genetic Information
Transcription factors, a class of proteins, interact with DNA to regulate gene expression. They bind to specific DNA sequences, promoting or inhibiting transcription, thereby controlling RNA and protein synthesis.
Membrane Proteins: Regulating Cellular Transport
Integral membrane proteins participate in macromolecular interactions by regulating the transport of ions and molecules across cell membranes. Transport proteins, ion channels, and pumps interact precisely to maintain cellular homeostasis.
Cooperativity and Allosteric Regulation: Fine-Tuning Cellular Processes
Cooperativity and allosteric regulation are mechanisms that modulate protein function. In cooperativity, binding one ligand to a protein influences the binding of subsequent ligands, often amplifying the response. Allosteric regulation occurs when a molecule binds to a site other than the active site, altering the protein's conformation and activity.
Interactions in Signaling Pathways: Cellular Communication
Signal transduction pathways rely on cascades of macromolecular interactions to transmit extracellular signals into cellular responses. Kinases and phosphatases, enzymes that add or remove phosphate groups, play pivotal roles in these pathways.
Protein Folding and Misfolding: Disease Implications
Proteins must fold into specific three-dimensional shapes to function correctly. Misfolded proteins can lead to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and prion diseases. Chaperone proteins assist in proper protein folding and prevent aggregation.
References
Voet, D., Voet, J. G., & Pratt, C. W. (2016). Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level. Wiley.
Lehninger, A. L., Nelson, D. L., & Cox, M. M. (2017). Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. W. H. Freeman.
Berg, J. M., Tymoczko, J. L., & Stryer, L. (2002). Biochemistry. W. H. Freeman
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Ever wished to be a wizard? Ever wanted to turn anything into anything else? Wanted to make magical concoctions that can blind your enemies, burn their insides or make them faint within seconds?
You already can.
It's called chemestry.
HOW THE FUCK DO MORE PEPOLE NOT LIKE CHEMESTRY?????
Like it's literal magic. With the right tools and ingredients you can *mold the fabric of reality* to make paint out of parfume, turn plastic bottles into anything from sugar to drugs.
Chemestry is real-life magic and you can't tell me otherwise.
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The Stoichiometry, our first investigation made in our chemistry class 🧪🧫📖
Authors: Sara, Kevin and Valeria
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