RE: [AMBER] Why does protein carry charges?

From: Ross Walker <ross.rosswalker.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 19:06:57 +0100

Hi Lin,

> I got the protein crystal structures from the PDB file.
> There are only residues and water in the PDB files.
>
> Why does the protein carry charges?
> Why aren't they electrically neutral?

Many residues are protonatable or deprotonatable. You should take a look at
an introductory biochemistry text book for an overview of amino acids, their
pKa values and thus protonation states at different pH values.
 
> What are their intrinsic counter ions ?

The counter ions are a function of the solution in which the protein exists.
Typically one uses sodium or chlorine in analogy to a saline solution
although other ions, such as potassium can also be used.

All the best
Ross


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Received on Sun May 24 2009 - 01:10:53 PDT
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