BNFO 300 
Molecular Biology Through Discovery
Topic: Protein Structure and Function
Fall 2013 

Rationale
A great deal of attention has been lavished on the structure of proteins, because of the recognition that the structure of proteins determines their function, which, in turn, determines the functioning of the cell. It is therefore of some importance that we understand the nature of proteins.

Readings and Investigations
    Notes: Protein
    Tutorial: Hemoglobin structure (Eric Martz, U Massachussetts - Amherst)
    Resource: Protein Data Base (protein structures and sequences)
    Resource: Protein Explorer (a protein visualization tool) and help
    Resource: FirstGlance in Jmol (a less powerful but simpler protein visualization tool)
    Game: FoldIt (human gamers beat computers in solving protein structures)

    Article: Sanger F, Tuppy H (1951). The amino-acid sequence in the phenylalanyl chain of insulin.
                    1. The identification of lower peptides from partial hydrolysates. Biochem J 49:463-481.
          Companion to Sanger & Tuppy (1951)
          Paper chromatography as used by Sanger & Tuppy (1951) (powerpoint)
          Related article: Thompson EOP (1955). The insulin molecule. Sci Amer 192:36-41 (May 1955)
          Related article: Stretton AOW (2002). The first sequence: Fred Sanger and Insulin. Genetics 162:527-532.
                    Background behind Sanger & Tuppy (1951).
          Related article: Langmuir I (1939). The structure of proteins. Proc Phys Sci 51:592-612.
                    One influential view of nature of proteins.
          Related article: Sanger F (1988). Sequences, sequences, and sequences. Ann Rev Biochem 57:1-28.
                    Reminisces by Fred Sanger at the time of his retirement.

    Article: Perutz MF, Kendrew JC, Watson HC (1965). Structure and function of hemoglobin
                    II. Some relations between polypeptide chain configuration and amino acid sequence
                    J Mol Biol 13:669-678
          Companion to Perutz et al (1965)
          Related article: Perutz (1964). The hemoglobin molecule. Sci Amer 211:64-76 (November, 1964)
          Related article: Perutz (1978). Hemoglobin structure and respiratory transport. Sci Amer 239:92-125 (December, 1978)
          Related article: Rhodes D (2002). Climbing Mountains -- A profile of Max Perutz (1914-2002): a life in science.
                    EMBO Reports 3:393-395
          Related book: Perutz M (1997). Science Is Not a Quiet Life: Unraveling the Atomic Mechanism of Haemoglobin
                    World Scientific Publishing Co, River Edge, NJ

Things to do and hand in
    9 Sep: Problem Set 3
    16 Sep: Problem Set 4