Everything about Native State totally explained
In
biochemistry, the
native state of a
protein is its operative or functional form. All protein molecules are simple unbranched chains of amino acids, but it's by assuming a specific three-dimensional shape that they're able to perform their biological function. In fact, shape changes in proteins are the primary cause of several
neurodegenerative diseases, including those caused by
prions and
amyloid.
Many
enzymes and other non-structural
proteins have more than one native state, and they operate or undergo regulation by transitioning between these states. However, "native state" is used almost exclusively in the singular, typically to distinguish properly
folded proteins from
denatured or unfolded ones. In other contexts, the folded shape of a protein is most often referred to as its "
conformation" or "structure."
Folded and unfolded proteins are often easily distinguished by virtue of their water solubilities, as many proteins become insoluble on denaturation. Proteins in the native state will have defined
secondary structure, which can be detected spectroscopically, by
circular dichroism and by
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
The native state of a protein can be distinguished from a
molten globule, by among other things, distances measured by NMR. Amino acids widely separated in a protein's
sequence may touch or lie very close to one another within a stably folded protein. In a molten globule, on the other hand, their time-averaged distances are liable to be greater.
Learning
how native state proteins can be manufactured is important, as attempts to create proteins from scratch have resulted in molten globules and not true native state products. Therefore, an understanding of the native state is crucial in
protein engineering.
Metallurgy
With respect to
metals: the term
native state refers to metals which are found chemically uncombined in nature. Most usable metallic ores in the
Earth's crust are
oxides or
sulfides, and as such don't manifest the properties of refined metals. Occasionally, however, metals are found in uncombined metallic forms, in varying degrees of purity. These "metals found as metals" are referred to as being in their "native state".
Further Information
Get more info on 'Native State'.
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