Denaturation of Proteins (Native protein → Denatured protein (loss of secondary/tertiary/quaternary structure; 1°)
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Native protein → Denatured protein (loss of secondary/tertiary/quaternary structure; 1° structure intact)
What each symbol means
| Symbol | What it stands for |
|---|---|
| Native protein | Biologically active folded form |
| Denatured protein | Unfolded/misfolded form — loses biological activity |
| Denaturing agents | Heat, extreme pH, urea, detergents (SDS), heavy metal salts, organic solvents |
When to use this
Disrupts H-bonds, hydrophobic interactions, ionic bonds, and disulfide bridges (in some cases). Primary structure (covalent peptide bonds) remains intact. Biological activity is lost. Sometimes reversible (renaturation), often irreversible (e.g., cooked egg).