Monday, October 12, 2009

Explain the characteristics of proteins that are important for their use as medicines?

Give as much detail about each as possible.
Answer:
Your question is extremely broad but I will do my best to answer. Every protein produced by the body is folded in a very specific and certain way depending on the amino acid chain it is composed of. Concordantly, each protein is made to fit to a specific cell receptor and only that type of receptor, on the surfaces of cells. When these receptors come in contact with their corresponding protein, certain actions take place, be it the release of a certain chemical, or the halt of some process.
In terms of their medical application, proteins/compounds are researched and mass produced and tested depending on what they try to achieve. These proteins target specific receptors which have known functions, hopefully triggering the response they are looking for.
1. They must not cause immune response. But sometimes this is a desired effect, like in vaccines.2. must not be toxic. some proteins are. 3. they must not be too unstable, because it would not be possible to deliver them as a drug.

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