Polypeptide

Tetrapeptide structural formulae N-terminus (Green) (N-terminus) and C-terminus (Blue) (C-terminus)

A polypeptide is a string or linear chain of amino acids linked together. Amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins.[1] A single polypeptide chain might make up the entire primary structure of a simple protein;[2] more complex proteins are formed when two or more polypeptides link together. Each protein is a polymer of amino acids.[3][4]

Polypeptides are made when mRNA is translated, a process involving ribosomes, tRNA and amino acids.

Polypeptide Media

References

  1. Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides (2013)Elsevier Science. ISBN 978-0-12-385095-9.
  2. D-Amino acid residue in the C-type natriuretic peptide from the venom of the mammal, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, the Australian platypus. FEBS Letters 524 (1–3) (July 2002). p. 172–6. doi:10.1016/S0014-5793(02)03050-8.
  3. Microcins, gene-encoded antibacterial peptides from enterobacteria. Natural Product Reports 24 (4) (August 2007). p. 708–34. doi:10.1039/b516237h.
  4. Conformational analysis of bacitracin A, a naturally occurring lariat. Biopolymers 31 (6) (May 1991). p. 605–12. doi:10.1002/bip.360310604.