Low Molecular Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase

HTML 5 version (does not require Java; downloads and moves slowly)

I. Introduction

Proteins are polymers that are constructed of 20 different amino acid monomers linked together to form a large chain. The chain then folds on itself in 3D space to a specific, unique structure with binding pockets for other molecules. This tutorial will show the location of one of the 148 amino acids, Phenylalanine 10 (Phe 10 in the folded structure). The side chain atoms in Phe consist of C and H, so it is nonpolar. On folding is Phe 10 buried in the interior of the densely packed protein or is in on the surface, where the nonpolar atoms are exposed to water? See below for the answer

For more information see Biochemistry Online: Chapter 2C - Understanding Protein Conformation

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II. General Structure

Wireframe

Backbone

Cartoon

Cartoon and Wireframe

Phe10 - Spacefill

Zoom in on Phe 10 - Spacefill

The amino acids around Phe 10

The nonpolar amino acids (Val 8, Leu 9, Val 11, Cys 12,Ala 19, Ala 22, Phe 26, Ile 41, Leu 89, Leu 116, Cys 149)around Phe 10