protein structure
Amino acid arrangement
Protein structure refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of a protein molecule, which determines how it functions.
Biochemists describe four levels: primary (the sequence of amino acids), secondary (local folding patterns like helices and sheets), tertiary (the overall 3D shape), and quaternary (how multiple protein chains combine).
The drug works by disrupting the virus's protein structure.
Enzyme region binding substrates
- binding siteMolecular attachment region
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- ligandMolecule that binds centrally
receptor · enzyme · cofactor · induced fit · lock and key · specificity · affinity · regulation
Bending something over itself
- conformationStructural form or arrangement
- domainArea of control
- motifRecurring thematic element
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
loop · turn · coil · fold · topology · subunit · oligomer · monomer
Protein's molecular subunit
- peptideShort amino acid chain
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
- residueMatter left behind
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
N-terminus · C-terminus · side chain · peptide bond · backbone · hydrogen bond · van der Waals · covalent bond
Bending something over itself
- misfoldingImproper protein conformation
- denaturationStructural breakdown of proteins
- aggregationCombined collection of items
- chaperoneProtective adult companion
entropy · enthalpy · thermodynamics · kinetics · intermediate · amyloid · fibril · prion
Forming ordered solid structure
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- model buildingCreating small-scale replicas
- refinementElegance of manner
Object of pursuit
- dockingConnecting to a port
- inhibitorAgent that slows reactions
- agonistReceptor-binding trigger molecule
- antagonistOne who opposes another
affinity · selectivity · therapeutic · biologics · antibody
active site
Enzyme region binding substrates
- binding siteMolecular attachment region
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
ligand · receptor · enzyme · cofactor · induced fit · lock and key · specificity · affinity · regulation
folding
Bending something over itself
- conformationStructural form or arrangement
- domainArea of control
- motifRecurring thematic element
backbone · loop · turn · coil · fold · topology · subunit · oligomer · monomer · dimer
amino acid
Protein's molecular subunit
- peptideShort amino acid chain
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
- residueMatter left behind
sequence · N-terminus · C-terminus · side chain · peptide bond · backbone · hydrogen bond · van der Waals · covalent bond
folding
Bending something over itself
- misfoldingImproper protein conformation
- denaturationStructural breakdown of proteins
- aggregationCombined collection of items
chaperone · entropy · enthalpy · thermodynamics · kinetics · intermediate · amyloid · fibril · prion
crystallization
Forming ordered solid structure
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- model buildingCreating small-scale replicas
target
Object of pursuit
- dockingConnecting to a port
- inhibitorAgent that slows reactions
- agonistReceptor-binding trigger molecule
antagonist · affinity · selectivity · therapeutic · biologics · antibody