Water not necessary for life?

The proteins that are vital to living creatures evolved in Earth’s water-rich environment and it was thought that water was vital for proteins to function, but some intriguing new findings from the University of Bristol (UK) challenge this dogma.

Proteins consist of one or more polypeptides (chains of amino acids held together by peptide bonds) that convert food into energy, supply oxygen to our blood and muscles, and drive our immune systems. If a protein is heated in water to temperatures approaching boiling point, the polypeptides will unfold and lose their structure – known as denaturing.

An example of denaturing occurs when an egg is hard-boiled: the structures of the proteins in the egg unfold and stick together, creating a solid. In the egg’s case, this process cannot be reversed – however there are many examples where cooling the protein results in the refolding of the structure. Previously, it was thought that water was essential to this refolding process; however, the new findings suggest this isn’t necessarily the case.

Using a spectroscopic technique called circular dichroism, Adam Perriman and colleagues have shown that the oxygen-carrying protein myoglobin can refold in an environment that is almost completely devoid of water molecules.

“We achieved this by attaching polymer molecules to the surface of the protein and then removing the water to give a viscous liquid which, when cooled from a temperature as high as 155& #176;C, refolded back to its original structure,” Perriman explained.

He believes the findings could enable the development of new industrial enzymes where hyper-thermal resistance plays a crucial role; in applications ranging from biosensor development to the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to liquid fuels.

Related:
Discuss this article in our forum
Physicists Mull Whether Inorganic Dust Formations Could Be Alive
Folding Proteins For Fun And Profit
Artificial Proteins Point Way To ‘Synthetic Biology’

Source: University of Bristol

, ,

Comments are closed.

Spa Marvel. Water Treatment & Conditioner 16 fl oz (Regular) picture

Spa Marvel. Water Treatment & Conditioner 16 fl oz (Regular)

$58.99



Water Vap. D.A.B.RIG w/Multi Color Lights & Screen Display -Use w/ Concentrates picture

Water Vap. D.A.B.RIG w/Multi Color Lights & Screen Display -Use w/ Concentrates

$99.99



250ml Holy Water Jordan River picture

250ml Holy Water Jordan River

$10.99



16

16" Heavy Glass Bong Hookah Tree Dome Percolator Bubber Water Pipe 18mm Bowl

$29.99



Grants Pass OR CAVEMAN BRIDGE and ROGUE RIVER Water Sports - POSTED POSTCARD picture

Grants Pass OR CAVEMAN BRIDGE and ROGUE RIVER Water Sports - POSTED POSTCARD

$4.00



(10 PACK) 14MM Male Glass Bowl For Water Tobacco Pipe Bong Replacement Head USA picture

(10 PACK) 14MM Male Glass Bowl For Water Tobacco Pipe Bong Replacement Head USA

$12.59



Surplus Emergency Drinking Water 10oz Can (Cold War)  picture

Surplus Emergency Drinking Water 10oz Can (Cold War)

$12.99



Blue Portable Hookah Screw on Bottle Converter Glass Water Filter Bong picture

Blue Portable Hookah Screw on Bottle Converter Glass Water Filter Bong

$10.80



Davidoff Cool Water By LANCASTER Eau De Toilette 0.5oz Spray As Pict, No Box VTG picture

Davidoff Cool Water By LANCASTER Eau De Toilette 0.5oz Spray As Pict, No Box VTG

$14.45



Creed Silver Mountain Water Eau de Parfum for Men,New Fashion | Brand New Tester picture

Creed Silver Mountain Water Eau de Parfum for Men,New Fashion | Brand New Tester

$39.99



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes