Myoglobin

Myoglobin is a commonly illustrated example of a
biologically important protein. The primary role of myoglobin is
for storage of oxygen. The structure below is the deoxygenated
form of sperm whale myoglobin, taken from the Brookhaven Protein Database
(structure ref = 5MBN, author = T. Takano).

In order to view this molecule correctly, you
must have the CHIME
Plug-in properly installed. To rotate this molecule, move
your pointer over the structure, then hold the button down while
'dragging' the pointer.





    
    

        
Protein

        
        Off

        
        Wireframe

        
        Ball & Stick

        
        Spacefilling

        
        Backbone

        
        Ribbons

        
        Ribbons +

        
        Polar

        
        Hydrophobic

        

        

        Solvent

        
        Off

        
        Ball & Stick

         
        
        
 
        
Iron Heme

        
        Off

        
        Wireframe

        
        Ball & Stick

        
        Spacefilling

        

        

        Combinations

        
        Near Fe (5.0 A)

        
        Show Fe & N

        
        Heme & Histidine

        

        

        Lighting

         100%

         75%

         60%

         40%
    



Levels of structure in Myoglobin


    
Primary structure
    
The sequence of amino acids in the single polypeptide
        chain of this molecule.
    
Secondary structure
    
The three-dimensional arrangement of the protein
        backbone. Best illustrated in this drawing by selecting
        "Backbone", "Ribbons", or
        "Ribbons +". In this molecule, the alpha
        helices are clearly seen.
    
Tertiary structure
    
The three-dimensional arrangement of the protein,
        including all side chains. The "Wireframe" and
        "Ball & Stick" views give the best
        illustration of this structure level.
    
Quaternary structure
    
Focuses on interaction of different polypeptide chains.
        This can be best illustrated by examination of the Hemoglobin stucture, which
        consists of four polypeptide chains, each of which is
        similar to myoglobin.











This page was last modified on September
01, 1997

and was written and is maintained by Clarke Earley

Kent State University
Stark Campus

Department
of Chemistry

email: cearley@stark.kent.edu


© 1997 by Clarke Earley, Kent State
University.