The effect of protein structure and function on protein evolution Essay

The effect of protein structure and function on protein evolution - Essay Example Distinctions where made for the description and categorization of changes within protein lineages to identify Orthologous and Paralogous change, with immunoglobulin as an example.Literature review is conducted concerning the most pertinent theories of rates of protein mutation down through geologic history. Areas where mutations are more likely and less likely are both discussed. Theories concerning the activity and origin of early proteins are discussed in addition to the relationship between ancient peptide chains and self-catalytic RNA that may have given rise to Earth's proteomes. Theories of the formation of the first ribosomes from coallescing RNA fragments is described, and the co-evolution between the early information systems of the pre-cellular world, and the beginnings of functional proteins. Stanley Miller and his experiment are explained in addition to earlier attempts to account for the origin of life. Oparin's theories of complex coacervation are compared to the Miller -Urey amino-acid synthesis apparatus.The physical construction of the experimental chamber for the Miller experiment is illustrated, and the implications are described in detail. The theory of duplication and subsequent mutation is explained as the prevailing hypothesis for the generation of large functional proteins and families of proteins, as well as providing a means for the conservation of a pre-existing beneficial function. The process of protein folding is described, as well as the distinction between two- and multi-step proteins for the purpose of assembly into final conformation. Lastly, the most important tools are described for the direct physical analysis of protein structure - X-ray Crystallography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Contributions to the structural understanding of biomolecules are mentioned, including the discovery of Rosalind Franklin, and her work on determining the crystalline structure of DNA. A solid experimental and theoretical basis confirms the structure, function,evolution, and construction of proteins within the cell. Additional work is necessary for such issues as amino-acid chirality, as it pertains to the origin of life,and more experimental support is needed for the early evolution of proteins. A collection of the most relevant protein structural elements is included. 1 - Homology of homology. Similarities exist in the studies of putative patterns in evolutionary theory, whether the Investigator studies subjects at the organismal level, or the molecular. Principles of convergent,and divergent evolution exist in both scales. Patterns inherent to protein evolution can be shown to follow discrete principles not dissimilar to some of those found in the zoological studies at the organismal level. When studying the universe of possible protein configurations, it seems plausible that the total number of sequences allowable is theoretically infinite.1 Originally, it is theorized that the first truly functional proteins arose as supportive cofactors for the replication and catalytic function of RNA pre-cellular systems, as RNA is the only know information-transmitting biomolecule that possesses its own catalytic abilities. 2 The breadth of protein potential creates a pressing need for an understanding of the patterns of sequence and structural evolution. Intense study has gone towards the illumination of relationships peptide combinations and diversity may reveal across the web of life on Earth. Several methodologies have arisen in recent decades to both categorize and detect