Disulfides
- Two sulfhydryl groups may react to form disulfide linkages.
- We connect an R to a sulfur, which itself is connected to a sulfur, which is connected to an R.
Disulfides are important in both the tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins, which give them their 3-dimensional structure and functional ability. Heavy metals, such as zinc, cadmium, lead and mercury have a high affinity for sulfhydryls and disulphides; thus, they can disrupt disulfide bonds and deform proteins, which results in heavy metal poisoning: a potentially life-threatening condition.
Disulfides Functional Group
- Structure: an R connected to a sulfur, which itself is connected to a sulfur, which is connected to an R.
- Disulfides are important in both the tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins, which give them their 3-dimensional structure and functional ability.
- As a clinical correlate, write that heavy metals, such as zinc, cadmium, lead and mercury have a high affinity for sulfhydryls and disulphides; thus, they can disrupt disulfide bonds and deform proteins, which results in heavy metal poisoning: a potentially life-threatening condition.