Quaternary structure
Quaternary Structure
The Quaternary Structure (pronounced: kwuh-tur-nuh-ree struhk-cher) is a term used in the field of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to describe the arrangement of multiple folded protein or nucleic acid subunits in a multi-subunit complex.
Etymology
The term "Quaternary" is derived from the Latin word "quaternarius", meaning "consisting of four". This is in reference to the four levels of protein structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
Definition
The Quaternary Structure refers to the structure of a protein macromolecule formed by interactions between multiple polypeptide chains. Each polypeptide chain is referred to as a subunit. These subunits may be the same, as in a homodimer, or different, as in a heterodimer.
Related Terms
- Primary Structure: The sequence of amino acids in a protein.
- Secondary Structure: The local folded structures that form within a polypeptide due to interactions between its backbone atoms.
- Tertiary Structure: The overall three-dimensional structure of a polypeptide.
- Protein Structure: The three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in an amino acid-chain molecule.
- Protein Folding: The physical process by which a protein chain acquires its native 3-dimensional structure.
- Protein Subunit: A single protein molecule that assembles (or "coassembles") with other protein molecules to form a protein complex.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Quaternary structure
- Wikipedia's article - Quaternary structure
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