Subunit: Difference between revisions
CSV import |
No edit summary Tag: Manual revert |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
{{dictionary-stub1}} | {{dictionary-stub1}} | ||
{{No image}} | |||
Latest revision as of 13:19, 18 March 2025
Subunit is a term used in various scientific disciplines with different meanings. In biochemistry, it refers to the individual component proteins of a multi-protein complex. In virology, it refers to a component of a virus. In pharmacology, it refers to the individual component proteins of a receptor complex.
Biochemistry[edit]
In biochemistry, a subunit is a protein molecule that assembles with other protein molecules to form a protein complex. Some naturally occurring proteins have a relatively small number of subunits and therefore described as oligomeric, for example hemoglobin. Others may consist of a very large number of subunits and therefore described as multimeric, for example microtubules.
Virology[edit]
In virology, a subunit is a distinct component of a virus. It may refer to a structural component of the virus, such as a protein or a nucleic acid. It can also refer to a functional component, such as an enzyme or a receptor binding molecule.
Pharmacology[edit]
In pharmacology, a subunit is a protein molecule that forms part of a receptor complex. Many receptors are composed of multiple subunits that each contribute to the overall function of the receptor. For example, the GABA receptor is a pentameric complex that includes different types of subunits, and the configuration of these subunits determines the properties of the receptor.
