In: Chemistry
8. An a-helix would be stabilized most by:
A the presence of an Arg+ residue near the carboxyl terminus of the a-helix.
B the transmission of the protons of several peptide bonds throughout the a-helix.
C the presence of two Lys+ residues near the amino terminus of the a-helix.
D interactions between neighboring Asp- and Glu- residues
E interactions between two adjacent amino acid residues with large and bulky side chains.
Can you please explain why the answer is A
Thanks
Ans. Correct option. A. Arginine has a basic side chain, which is positively charged at physiological pH. The carboxyl terminal has a negative charge at physiological pH.
So, the favorable ionic interaction between positively charged side chain of Arg and negatively charged carboxyl terminal stabilizes helix through mutual attraction.
Note that a-helices are primarily stabilized by H-bonds. Ionic interactions are less abundant than H-bonds.
# Option B. Incorrect. Protons do not transmit from one to another region of the peptide.
# Option C. Incorrect. Lys has a basic side chain and bear positive charge at physiological pH. Being positively charged, two lys residues repel each other.
Therefore, repulsion between the negatively charged residues destabilizes the helix.
# Option D. Incorrect. Both the Asp and Glu are acidic residues and bear negative charge at physiological pH. Because both the residues bear same negative charge, they repel each other – because same charge repel each other.
Therefore, repulsion between the negatively charged residues destabilizes the helix.
# Option E. Incorrect. Adjacently placed large and bulky side chains destabilizes the helix by causing stearic repulsion.