Hydrogen Bonding Information Sheet Template (Page 3 of 3) in pdf

Hydrogen Bonding Information Sheet Template Page 3

Proteins

Hydrogen bonding is present abundantly in the secondary structure of proteins, and also sparingly in tertiary

conformation. The secondary structure of a protein involves interactions (mainly hydrogen bonds) between neighboring

polypeptide backbones which contain Nitrogen-Hydrogen bonded pairs and oxygen atoms. Since both N and O are

strongly electronegative, the hydrogen atoms bonded to nitrogen in one polypeptide backbone can hydrogen bond to

the oxygen atoms in another chain and visa-versa. Though they are relatively weak,these bonds offer great stability to

secondary protein structure because they repeat a great number of times.

In tertiary protein structure, interactions are primarily between functional R groups of a polypeptide chain; one such

interaction is called a hydrophobic interaction. These interactions occur because of hydrogen bonding between water

molecules around the hydrophobe and further reinforce conformation.

References

1. Brown, et al. Chemistry:The Central Science. 11th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall,

2008.

2. Chang, Raymond. General Chemistry:The Essential Concepts. 3rd ed. New York: Mcgraw Hill, 2003

3. Petrucci, et al. General Chemistry: Principles & Modern Applications. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:

Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2007.

Contributors

•

Jose Pietri (UCD)

Hydrogen Bonding Information Sheet Template Page 3