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Peptide Bond

Chemistry: Foundations and Applications | 2004 | | Copyright

Peptide Bond

A peptide bond is a linkage between the building blocks of proteins called amino acids (shorter strings of linked amino acids are known as peptides). A peptide bond forms when the carboxylic acid group (R-C[O]OH) of one amino acid reacts with the amine group (R-NH₂) of another. The resulting molecule is an amide with a C–N bond (R-C(O)-NH-R).

While drawn as a single bond, the peptide bond has partial double bond character that enforces a well-defined flat structure. The O atom of the amide has a partial negative charge and is a good hydrogen bond acceptor, while the NH is partially positive and a good hydrogen bond donor. Hydrogen bonds between amides are critical to protein folding, as well as to the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA ).

The synthesis of proteins involves the formation of many peptide bonds. Cleavage of peptide bonds, involved in digestion of proteins and in many regulatory processes, is carried out by enzymes known as proteases. One such protease is subtilisin, the enzyme frequently added to laundry detergent to cleave many protein contaminants. Angiotensin -converting enzyme (ACE) is an enzyme that targets a specific peptide bond, forming a chemical signal that increases blood pressure. Some blood pressure medications act by blocking ACE.

peptide bond

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences | 1998 | | Copyright

peptide bond A chemical bond that links 2 or more amino acids by a reaction between carboxyl and amino groups. According to the number of amino acids linked by such bonds, the resulting peptide is designated dipeptide (2 amino acids), tripeptide (3 amino acids), oligo-peptide (3–10 amino acids), or polypeptide (10 or more amino acids).

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "peptide bond." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "peptide bond." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-peptidebond.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "peptide bond." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-peptidebond.html

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peptide bond

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

peptide bond A chemical bond (–CO.NH–) by which one amino acid molecule may be linked to the next in a chain.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "peptide bond." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "peptide bond." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-peptidebond.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "peptide bond." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-peptidebond.html

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peptide bond

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

peptide bond A chemical bond (CO.NH) by which one amino acid molecule may be linked to the next in a chain.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "peptide bond." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "peptide bond." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-peptidebond.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "peptide bond." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-peptidebond.html

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