PROTEIN SUBUNIT Meaning and
Definition
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A protein subunit refers to an individual polypeptide chain that makes up a larger protein complex or oligomer. It is a structural constituent of a protein and generally possesses a unique three-dimensional structure and distinct biological functions within the protein assembly. These subunits are held together by various types of noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic attractions.
Protein subunits play a crucial role in the formation and stability of complex proteins. They are often involved in important biological processes such as enzyme catalysis, signal transduction, molecular recognition, and structural support. Subunits can vary in size, ranging from small peptides consisting of a few amino acids to large polypeptide chains with hundreds or even thousands of amino acid residues.
In many cases, protein subunits are individually synthesized and then come together or associate with other subunits to form a functional protein complex. These complexes can have different arrangements and stoichiometries, depending on the specific function they need to perform. They may form symmetric structures, with identical subunits arranged symmetrically around a central axis, or asymmetric structures with non-identical subunits.
Understanding the composition and organization of protein subunits is crucial for deciphering the structure and function of complex proteins. Various biochemical and biophysical methods, such as X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and electron microscopy, can be employed to study and determine the arrangement of protein subunits within a complex, ultimately providing insights into their biological roles and mechanisms.
Common Misspellings for PROTEIN SUBUNIT
- orotein subunit
- lrotein subunit
- -rotein subunit
- 0rotein subunit
- peotein subunit
- pdotein subunit
- pfotein subunit
- ptotein subunit
- p5otein subunit
- p4otein subunit
- pritein subunit
- prktein subunit
- prltein subunit
- prptein subunit
- pr0tein subunit
- pr9tein subunit
- prorein subunit
- profein subunit
- progein subunit
- proyein subunit
Etymology of PROTEIN SUBUNIT
The word "protein" originated from the French word "protéine", coined in 1838 by Dutch chemist Gerardus Johannes Mulder. Mulder derived this term from the Greek word "proteios", which means "of primary importance" or "holding first place".
The term "subunit" is a compound word consisting of "sub-" and "-unit". "Sub-" is a prefix that means "under" or "less than", indicating something smaller or subordinate. "Unit" comes from Latin "unus", meaning "one", and refers to a single component or entity.
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