For all you biology people..!!!?

Question

I need your insight on this: what will happen if a protein's original structure is changed or becomes abnormal?

Also can any of you provide an example of a protein's shape changing to a point where it causes a disease in mammals (including humans).

I know that structure correlates with function, so please help me figure this out!! 10 points to the best answer.

Answer 1

A protein's structure can be changed for a number of reasons.  It can be denatured by heat, pH, etc, or caused my a mutation that makes the protein longer/shorter/a new amino acid that changes the folding, etc.  Depending on the extent of the damage, it can cause no effect at all or be lethal.

One example of a protein disease in humans is sickle cell.  This is a mutation in the hemoglobin in RBC's.  Try looking that up and see if it helps!  :)