In: Chemistry
What kind of interaction can threonine and asparagine form? Would this interaction be likely to form on the surface of a protein? Why or why not? What role does this interaction play in protein stability?
Threonine and asparagine are polar (hydrophillic-water loving) amino acids. They interact with one another by side-chain hydrogen bonding. This interaction in likely to form on the surface of a protein. Polar amino acids are usually found exposed on the surface of a protein since their side-chains prefer to reside in an aqueous environment.
H-bonds have been found to make a positive contribution to protein stabilization. Polar amino acids are hydrogen bonded to each other or to water molecules. Water molecules are also involved in the stabilization of the protein structure since they make hydrogen bonds with the main chain and side-chain groups.