Classification and Reactions of

Protiens

Mahpara Gondal
Pharm-D
MS Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Rashid Latif College of Pharmacy

Learn about
* Classification of proteins Basis on physico-
chemical Properties
* Properties of Proteins
* Reactions of Proteins

*Objectives
*1. Simple Proteins
*2.Conjugated Proteins
*3.Derived Proteins

* Classification based on Physio-

chemical Properties
i. Albumins
ii. Globulins
iii. Glutelins
iv. Prolamins
v. Histones
vi. Protamins
vii.Sclero

*Simple Proteins
* ..

*.
*.

*.
i. Nucleo
ii. Glyco
iii. Phospho
iv. Lipo
v. Chromo
vi. Metallo
vii.Muco

*Conjugated Proteins
*.

*.
* 1.Primary
* proteans
* Meta proteins
* Coagulated
* 2.secondry

*Derived proteins
* Hydrolysis: The complete hydrolytic
decomposition of a protein generally follows
the stages given below:

* Protein→ Protean→ Metaprotein→ Proteose

* Aminoacids← Peptides← Peptone

*Cont…
*Hydration of proteins:
* Polar groups of proteins such as -NH2 and -COOH
become hydrated in presence of water and swell
up when electrolytes, alcohol or sugars that form
complexes with water are added to protein
solutions.
* Thereis competition for water and the degree of
hydration of protein is decreased. They dehydrate
protein and precipitate it from solution.

Properties Of Proteins
*Heat coagulation of proteins:
On heating Several proteins coagulate forming
an insoluble coagulum.
During coagulation, protein undergoes a change
called as denaturation. Denatured proteins are
soluble in Basic solutions.

Cont…
*Viscosity of protein:
* The viscosity is closely related to molecular
shape, long molecules (fibrous proteins)
being more viscous than globular proteins.
Thus fibrinogen can form a more viscous
solution than albumin.

Cont…
*Amphoteric nature of proteins
* Therefore proteins are ampholytes and act
both as acids and bases. At a specific pH called
an isoelectric pH a protein exists as a dipolar
ion or “Zwitterion” or “Hybrid” ion, carrying
equal number of positive and negative charges
on its ionizable groups. So the net charge on
protein molecule at its isoelectric pH is zero.

Cont…
* On the acidic side of its isoelectric pH, a
protein exists as a cation by accepting a
proton and migrates towards anode in an
electrical field; while on the alkaline side of
a protein exists as anion by donating a proton
and migrates towards cathode.
* This property is made use of in electrophoresis
to separate different proteins depending on
the charge present in them at a particular pH.

*Cont...
* Precipitation of proteins:

* Proteins can be precipitated from solutions by

a variety of +ve and –ve ions.
* Such precipitation is of importance in the
isolation of protein, in the deproteinisation of
blood and other biological fluids and extracts
for analysis and in the preparation of useful
protein derivatives

*Cont…
* Proteins produce colour in certain reactions. These
reactions are not quite specific for a protein molecule as
such but are due to characteristic groups of particular
amino acid present in it.

* 1. Xanthoproteic reaction: The aromatic aminoacids

such as phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan present
in the protein give yellow precipitate when heated with
conc. HNO3. On addition of alkali, the precipitate turns
orange due to nitration of the aromatic ring. Collagen
and gelatin do not give a positive reaction.

REACTIONS OF PROTEINS
* 2. Millon’s test:
* This is a specific test for tyrosine of protein.
Protein gives a white ppt with Millon’s reagent
(10% mercurous chloride in H2SO4) on heating.
* On addition of NaNO2 the precipitate turns
pink-red.

*Cont…
* Nitroprusside reaction: Proteins with free -SH
group of cysteine give reddish colour with
sodium nitroprusside.
* Many proteins give this test positive after heat
coagulation or denaturation indicating the
liberation of free -SH groups.

Cont…
* Ninhydrin reaction:

* Ninhydrin is a powerful oxidising agent and

causes oxidative decarboxylation of α-amino
acids producing an aldehyde with one carbon
less than the parent amino acid.
* The reduced Ninhydrin Hydrindantin then
reacts one molecule of ninhydrin forming a
bluecoloured compound.

*Cont…