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New protein structure‐function technology and applications
Author(s) -
Gracy R. W.,
Wheeler C. E.,
Lu H. S.,
Jahani M.,
Mo Y. J.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of the american oil chemists' society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1558-9331
pISSN - 0003-021X
DOI - 10.1007/bf02541686
Subject(s) - lactase , enzyme , function (biology) , peptide , computational biology , biochemistry , biology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology
Recent advances in protein structure technology such as affinity chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography (for protein and peptide isolation) and microsequencing have provided new opportunities for answering fundamental questions as well as providing new applications. For example, it has been recognized for many years that aging causes the accumulation of “abnormal” proteins in cells. The amount of these aged proteins in human cells is exceedingly small, and only through the use of microstructural analyses has it been possible to explore the properties of aged proteins. Such studies suggest that aged cells have a decreased ability to catabolize covalently modified proteins. High‐sensitivity structural analyses also provide the opportunity to study the molecular basis of genetic diseases with small amounts of tissue or blood. Examples of the aplication of these new technologies include isolation of enzymes for therapeutic purposes such as digestion of herniated spinal discs and the debridement of burns and ulcers. The use of microencapsulated proteins and matrix‐bound enzymes also has provided new application opportunities. For example, covalently bound lactase has been found to have bio‐adhesive properties in the intestine and may be used for treatment of lactase insufficiency in persons who cannot tolerate milk or milk products.