Biophysical Chemistry of Nucleic Acids and Proteins

Description

DNA, RNA and proteins are undoubtedly the most important biological molecules. Being large macromolecules, their physical, chemical and biological properties can differ dramatically from those of the monomers from which they are made. Described here are their primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures; their evolutionary origins; their unfolding and refolding; their chemical synthesis and manipulation; their physical interactions with other molecules, which often result in catalysis of chemical reactions in one or both of them; and the various ways in which the catalytic activities of enzymes are controlled and regulated. Color is used liberally throughout the volume to enhance the many illustrations. This is a comprehensive reference for chemists, biologists and students. Content:• Front Matter • Common Abbreviations • Glossary • Preface • Table of Contents •Section 1. Macromolecules 1. Configurations and Conformations •Section 2. Nucleic Acids 2. DNA Structure 3. DNA Topology 4. RNA Structure 5. Denaturation, Renaturation and Hybridization of Nucleic Acids 6. Manipulating Nucleic Acids •Section 3. Proteins 7. Polypeptide Structure 8. Polypeptide Conformation 9. Protein Structure 10. Physical Properties of Folded Proteins 11. Protein Denaturation: Unfolding and Refolding •Section 4. Functions 12. Ligand Binding by Proteins 13. Nucleic Acid-Protein Interactions 14. Catalysis 15. Enzyme Regulation Index