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Related Concept Videos

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael acceptor.
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Protein Organization01:24

Protein Organization

Proteins are polymers of amino acid residues. They are versatile and responsible for different cellular functions, including DNA replication, molecular transport, catalysis, and structural support. Proteins have a hierarchical structure comprising at least three levels of organization: primary, secondary, and tertiary structure. Some large proteins have a quaternary structure where individual protein subunits are linked together.
The primary structure of a protein is its amino acid sequence.
Protein Organization01:13

Protein Organization

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OaAEP1-Mediated Enzymatic Synthesis and Immobilization of Polymerized Protein for Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy
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Polymerization mechanism of polypeptide chain aggregation.

M A Speed1, J King, D I Wang

  • 1Biotechnology Process Engineering Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|May 20, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Polypeptide aggregation into inclusion bodies hinders biotechnology. This study reveals aggregation occurs via cluster-cluster polymerization, not sequential addition, impacting protein folding efficiency.

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Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Biomedical Research
  • Protein Chemistry

Background:

  • Protein misfolding and aggregation into insoluble inclusion bodies pose significant challenges in biotechnology and biomedical research.
  • Understanding the polymerization mechanism is crucial for developing strategies to control protein aggregation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro aggregation mechanism of P22 tailspike polypeptide chains.
  • To elucidate the kinetics of aggregation and its relationship with productive folding versus inclusion body formation.

Main Methods:

  • Classical light scattering
  • Nondenaturing gel electrophoresis
  • Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE)
  • Computer simulations

Main Results:

  • P22 tailspike polypeptide aggregation proceeds through multimeric polymerization.
  • Aggregation involves the association of two multimers of any size, independent of sequential monomer addition.
  • A cluster-cluster polymerization mechanism was identified as a key factor in the competition between protein folding and inclusion body formation.

Conclusions:

  • The identified cluster-cluster polymerization mechanism is critical for understanding and potentially controlling protein aggregation in biotechnological applications.
  • This finding provides insights into the kinetic competition governing productive protein folding and the formation of problematic inclusion bodies.