Primary Structure

The primary structure of a protein is its linear sequence of amino acids and the location of any disulfide (-S-S-) bridges.

Link to table describing the amino acids.
Link to a discussion of how the amino acids are linked together to form a polypeptide.

Note the amino terminal or "N-terminal" (NH3+) at one end; carboxyl terminal ("C-terminal") (COO-) at the other.

Link to a view of the primary structure of an actual protein, the 129-amino-acid enzyme, lysozyme.
Compare:
Secondary structure
Tertiary structure
Quaternary structure

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24 March 2006