Proteína fibrosa

As proteínas fibrosas, proteínas filamentosas ou escleroproteínas son proteínas de forma alongada e insolubles con función estrutural. Constitúen un dos grandes tipos estruturais de proteínas, xunto coas proteínas globulares.

Triple hélice do tropocoláxeno, unha proteína fibrosa.

Exemplos son as queratinas, o coláxeno, a elastina, e a fibroína. As funcións exercidas por estas proteínas son estruturais, como o sostén, protección, formación do tecido conectivo, tendóns, tecido óseo, e tecido muscular.

Estrutura biomolecular

A scleroprotein forms long protein filaments, which are shaped like rods or wires. Scleroprotein are structural proteins or storage proteins that are typically inert and water-insoluble. A scleroprotein occurs as an aggregate due to hydrophobic side chains that protrude from the molecule.

A scleroprotein's peptide sequence often has limited residues with repeats; these can form unusual secondary structures, such as a collagen helix. The structures often feature cross-links between chains (e.g., cys-cys disulfide bonds between keratin chains).

Scleroproteins tend not to denature as easily as globular proteins.

Miroshnikov et al. (1998) are among the researchers who have attempted to synthesize fibrous proteins.

Véxase tamén

Ligazóns externas

• Scleroproteins Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) na Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina dos EUA.