In the human genetic disease sickle cell anemia, a single change in the genetic sequence of the hemoglobin- beta gene results in the amino acid valine being substituted for the amino acid glutamic acid in the beta chain of the hemoglobin protein. Which level(s) of the protein structure will be affected?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The substitution of valine for glutamic acid in the hemoglobin protein affects all levels of protein structure. The primary structure is directly altered due to the change in amino acid sequence. This alteration can subsequently affect the secondary structure (e.g., alpha-helices and beta-sheets) due to changes in hydrogen bonding patterns. The tertiary structure, which is the overall three-dimensional shape of the protein, can be affected due to altered interactions between amino acid side chains. Finally, the quaternary structure, which involves the assembly of multiple protein subunits, can be affected as the altered shape of the hemoglobin subunits may change how they assemble into the functional protein complex.

In the Human Genetic Disease Sickle Cell Anemia, a Single