Question

This question has been bothering me, can you please help?

Describe in detail all of the four factors that contribute to the folding of a polypeptide.

Answer 1

There are five forces that contribute to the folding of polypeptide-

1. HYDROGEN BONDS- the large no. Of weak hydrogen bonds within the polypeptide and between Polypeptides adds up collectively to a very strong force that promotes protein folding and stability.

2. IONIC BONDS AND OTHER POLAR INTERACTIONS- some amino acid chains are positively or negatively charged. Positively charged chains may bind to negatively charged chains via ionic bonds. And uncharged polar side chains bind to ionic amino acid.

3. HYDROPHOBIC EFFECT- some amino acid chains are non polar and they tends to exclude water. As the protein folds hydrophobic amino acids are present in the center minimizing the contact with water.

4. VAN DER WALS FORCES- atoms within molecules have weak attraction for each other if thdy are in optimal distance called van der wals radius and the weak attraction is called van der wals forces.

5. DISULPHIDE BRIDGES- the disulphide bond links the two amino acids together.