What is the Importance of Polypeptide Structure in Catalysis?
The structure of polypeptides is crucial for their catalytic function. The primary structure (sequence of amino acids) determines the secondary (α-helix, β-sheet), tertiary (3D folding), and quaternary structures (assembly of multiple polypeptides). These structures create an active site where substrates bind and reactions occur. Any change in the polypeptide structure can significantly impact its catalytic activity.
