CELL CHEMISTRY IV

Proteins & Nucleic Acids

Plasma proteins that you
must know
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Ribonucleic acids (RNAs)

Significance of Proteins in
Physiology
They are responsible for the unique structure
and specific functions of cells
They function as
Enzymes
Chemical messengers (hormones &
neurotransmitters)
Carriers/Transporters (in blood and in cells)
Channels (in cell membranes)
Receptors for hormones & neurotransmitters
Immunity (vaccination)

Know These Proteins and Their

Respective Function!

Hemoglobin:
Transports O2; Inside red blood cells; binds O 2 reversibly

Lactase:
Catalyzes hydrolysis of lactose into --- (what products?)

Carbonic anhydrase:

Catalyzes synthesis of H2CO3 from CO2 and H2O

Actin and Myosin:

For muscle contraction and relaxation; Interaction between these two generates
forces that cause movement

Albumin:
Most abundant protein in plasma; Major role in plasma oncotic (or osmotic
pressure)

Immunoglobulins (Ig) G, E
Also called antibodies; Immunity (as in vaccination) and allergic reaction (IgE)

Keratin:
Structural protein in cells, nails, hair

Ferritin:
Intracellular storage of iron

Some Facts on Proteins

They are polymers of amino acids that are joined
by peptide bonds.
Each protein has a specific or unique amino acid
sequence (AAS)
The AAS determines the 3D structure and the
function/s of a protein
Questions
Peptide bonds are formed by what type of chemical
reaction ---?
What enzyme catalyzes the synthesis of peptide
bonds?
What organelle has this enzyme?

More Facts About Proteins

3D structure that is maintained by hydrogen
bonds and ionic bonds
Function/s depend on 3D structure
Can be denatured (Denaturation) by
A) extremes of pH
B) heat

Questions:
Would denaturation affect the properties, structure
and function of a protein?
An example of denaturation in your kitchen?

Hemoglobin: 3D Structure
Notice 4 proteins
interact to form a
single structure (a
quarternary
structure).
Hemoglobin is a
multimeric protein
What type of bonds
stabilize the
globular shape of
hemoglobin?

Some More Facts About

Proteins
There are thousands of proteins inside a cell
To synthesize proteins, cells need information
from a gene (genetic information)
A Gene is a sequence of nucleotides that has
information for the synthesis of a functional
RNA or for a protein. in DNA molecule.
The nucleotide sequence in a gene
dictates the amino acid sequence of the
protein or nucleotide sequence of
functional RNA encoded in the gene

Protein Synthesis
Study/Review Guyton Ch. 3
To synthesize proteins, cells need:
Genetic information (Gene)
mRNA, tRNA
Ribosomes
Amino acids (20 different)
Energy

The key events that you MUST review in any

textbook of biology or college Anat & Physiol or
in Guyton:
1. Transcription (RNA synthesis)
2. Translation (protein synthesis)
3. Replication (DNA synthesis)

Flow of Genetic information

(Guyton Ch. 3)

In all cells, the flow of genetic information is from:

Gene --> mRNA --> Protein

Transcription

The enzyme RNA polymeraze catalyzes the synthesis of

phosphodiester bond between ribonucleotides.
The enzyme uses one of the two DNA strands as a template
Notice that DNA IS NOT CONVERTED TO RNA

Questions
Given the nucleotide sequence: -T A C G A A C C
G A T-
1. Write the sequence of the complementary strand?
2. These two strands would be held together by what bonds?
3. Assuming that the bottom strand (answer to #1 is the
gene), write the sequence of the transcribed mRNA?

Nucleic Acids
Some Facts plus Some
Illustrations

Nucleic Acids

The nucleic acids are DNA and RNA

DNA is found in the nucleus and mitochondria
RNA is found in the cytoplasm
There are several types of RNA
mRNA (m = messenger)
rRNA (r = ribosomal)
tRNA (t = transfer)

They are all Polymers of nucleotides joined

by ---? formed by what type of reaction?

Composition of Nucleotide

RNAs: Function of Each

mRNA is a copy of the information in the gene.
tRNAs, in collaboration with ribosomes, translate
the message in the mRNA. Notice that during
protein synthesis, a sequence of ribonucleotides
is translated into a sequence of amino acids.
Each codon (a set of 3 consecutive ribonucleotides)
of the mRNA is a code for one amino acid in the
protein.

rRNAs are structural component of ribosomes.

They function as enzymes (ribozymes) that
catalyze the formation of peptide bonds.

Be Able to Distinguish
Amino Acid from Nucleotide

DNA: Composition & Structure (1)

DNA vs RNA (1)

DNA
Found in the nucleus and mitochondria
Double stranded and shaped as twisted
ladder
Contains the pentose deoxyribose
Contains the nucleotides A, T, G, C
In the double strand, A is structurally
complementary to T and G is
complementary to C (A:::T, G:::C)
RNA

DNA: Composition & Structure (2)

RNA vs DNA (2)

RNA
Found in cytoplasm (cytosol, ribosomes)
Is single stranded
Contains the pentose ribose
Contains the nucleotides A, U, G, C
During transcription, DNA strand serves
as template for RNA synthesis and A is
complementary to U, G is
complementary to C. (A:::U, G:::C)

Some Questions ??

Given the .-5-ACGTCACTCAGTGGATCA-.

1. Write the sequence of the complementary strand

Assume that the 3- strand (answer to 1 above) is

the gene.
1. What is the sequence of the mRNA from that gene?
2. How many codons are there in that (#2) mRNA?
3. Write each codon on a separate line in your notes and for
each codon, write the sequence of the corresponding
anticodon
4. Which RNA has anticodons?
5. What is the function of these RNAs (answer to #5) RNAs
6. According to the genetic code (consult Guyton Table 3.1),
what is the amino acid sequence of the peptide from that
gene?