What causes proteins to denature?
1 Answer
The shape of a protein determines its function, and they are fine tuned to homeostasis conditions. Anything that upsets these conditions will denature the protein.
Explanation:
Temperature, pH, salinity, polarity of solvent - these are some of the factors that influence the shape of a protein. If any one or combination of these factors varies from normal conditions the shape (and function) of the protein will change. This change in shape is also called denatured.
The first level of protein folding involves hydrophilic amino acid sidechains being drawn outwards and hydrophobic sidechains being pressed inwards from the tangled mess that will become our protein.
Following these interactions, hydrogen bonds will form between adjacent amino acids, disulfide bridges will form further changing the shape.
Any compound that interferes with these interactions will denature the protein.
