Department of

Biochemistry
Faculty of Medicine – Umm Alqura University

Basics of Biochemistry
First Year – MBBS & Dentistry
program
 Biochemical Aspects of
Amino Acids and Proteins II
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1. Simple proteins
2. Conjugated proteins
3. Derived proteins
I. Simple proteins

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1. Fibrous protein (Scleroprotein):
• Insoluble in H2O, dilute acids and alkali, and all neutral solvents.
• Not digested by proteolytic enzymes.
• Have compact secondary structure
• Found in animal tissues and having supportive and protective functions.
• e.g. collagen, actin, and myosin, keratin in hair.
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Albumins
 Soluble in H20.
 Coagulated by heat.
 Precipitated by full saturation of ammonium sulfate.
 Present in: egg (egg albumin), blood (serum albumin), milk
(lactalbumin), and plants (cereals).
 It is produced in the liver and forms a large proportion of all
plasma protein.
 The human version is human serum albumin, and it normally
constitutes about 60% of human plasma protein.
Globulins
• H2O insoluble.
• Soluble in dilute salt solutions.
• Coagulated by heat.
• Precipitated by half saturation of ammonium sulfate.
• Present in egg (egg globulin), blood (serum globulin), milk (lact
globulin), muscles (myoglobulin) plant (nuts, peans)
• Some globulins are produced in the liver, while others are made by
the immune system.
II- Conjugated proteins
 These are formed of protein part and non protein part.
 According to non protein part, they are divided into:
• Types of conjugated protein:
• 1- Nucleoproteins
• 2- Glycoprotein,mucoproteins
• 3- Lipoproteins
• 4- Chromo-proteins
• 5- Metallo-proteins
• 6-Phospho-proteins

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Conjugated proteins

1-Nucleoproteins
Protein + nucleic acids (DNA & RNA)
2.Glycoprotein
Protein +Carbohydrate

Glycoprotein Function
Mucins, which are secreted in the mucus of the Lubricant and protective agent
respiratory and digestive tracts
Immunoglobulines (Antibodies) Immunologic molecule
which interact directly with antigens.
Conjugated proteins
3.Lipoproteins
Proteins +Lipeds
Examples:-VLDL; LDL and HDL
Function:
1. building blocks to multiple membranes.
2. carry fats around the body.

4.Chromoproteins
Protein + Colored group
Examples:- Hemoglobin: It is chromoprotein present in the RBC’s
function:
1- O2 and CO2 transporter.
2- Buffering action on blood
Conjugated proteins
5. Metalloproteins

6.phosphoproteins

Example: Casein which account for 80% of proteins in milk and cheese
• Are parts of proteins; they are obtained by denaturation OR breaking of peptide bonds of simple or
conjugated proteins.
• They are classified into primary-derived and secondary-derived proteins
• Primary-derived proteins: are those proteins which are obtained by denaturation that can be
achieved by different agents acids, alkali, or heat. They are called as denatured or coagulated proteins.
• Types of primary-derived proteins as following:
a) Proteans- formed in the early stage of protein digestion by dilute acid, enzymes, and alkali; ex.
firbrin-fibrinogen, myosan-myosin
b) Metaproteins- formed in later stage of protein digestion by slightly stronger acids and alkali; ex.
acid & alkali metaproteins
c) Coagulated proteins- denatured proteins formed by action of heat, UV light, acids, and alkali
• Secondary derived proteins: are those proteins which are obtained by breaking
peptide bonds.
• Example; peptones, proteases, and peptides, etc
• Denaturation involves the disruption of bonds in the secondary, tertiary and
quaternary protein structures.

Native protein protein in primary structure

• Heat and organic compounds break apart H bonds and disrupt hydrophobic
interactions.
• Acids and bases break H bonds between polar R groups and disrupt ionic
bonds.
• Heavy metal ions react with S-S bonds to form solids.
• Agitation such as whipping stretches chains until bonds break.
Applications of Denaturation

Denaturation of protein occurs when:

• An egg is cooked.
• The skin is wiped with alcohol.
• Heat is used to cauterize blood vessels.
• Instruments are sterilized in autoclaves.
Thank
you