HYDROPHOBIC DOMAIN Meaning and
Definition
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A hydrophobic domain is a region within a molecule or protein that exhibits a strong aversion or repulsion towards water molecules. It is characterized by a collection of nonpolar or hydrophobic amino acids or functional groups that are insoluble or poorly soluble in water. Hydrophobic domains are typically found in proteins, where they play a crucial role in the structure, function, and stability of the molecule.
These hydrophobic regions are important in determining the overall folding and three-dimensional structure of proteins. Hydrophobic amino acids, such as alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine, are commonly present in these domains. The hydrophobic nature of these amino acids, with their bulky side chains, causes them to cluster together away from the surrounding water molecules, resulting in a more stable protein structure.
Hydrophobic domains can exist independently as discrete regions within a protein or as a part of a larger protein structure. They can be responsible for various functions, including anchoring a protein to cell membranes, providing structural stability, facilitating protein-protein interactions, or forming binding sites for nonpolar ligands.
Understanding the hydrophobic domains within a protein is essential for studying its function and designing therapeutic interventions. Researchers often utilize hydrophobicity analysis tools and algorithms to predict and identify these domains, aiding in the study of protein structure, drug discovery, and engineering of proteins with desired functionalities.
Common Misspellings for HYDROPHOBIC DOMAIN
- gydrophobic domain
- bydrophobic domain
- nydrophobic domain
- jydrophobic domain
- uydrophobic domain
- yydrophobic domain
- htdrophobic domain
- hgdrophobic domain
- hhdrophobic domain
- hudrophobic domain
- h7drophobic domain
- h6drophobic domain
- hysrophobic domain
- hyxrophobic domain
- hycrophobic domain
- hyfrophobic domain
- hyrrophobic domain
- hyerophobic domain
- hydeophobic domain
- hyddophobic domain
Etymology of HYDROPHOBIC DOMAIN
The term "hydrophobic" comes from the combination of two Greek words: "hydro" meaning water, and "phobos" meaning fear or aversion. In the context of chemistry, a hydrophobic substance or region tends to repel or avoid water.
The word "domain" originates from the Latin term "dominus", which means lord or master. In the field of biology, a domain refers to a distinct or specialized area within a larger structure.
Therefore, the term "hydrophobic domain" describes a specific region or section of a molecule or protein that is repelled by water. It is commonly used in the context of biological membranes, where certain sections repel water and are responsible for interactions with other hydrophobic molecules or structures.
