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Peptide Bond

  • Proteins are polymers (long chains of repeating sub-units/monomers) with Amino acids being the monomers
  • Amino acids are joined together with peptide bonds
  • Peptide bonds are a dehydration synthesis/condensation reaction



Wize Concept
Proteins are synthesized through translating mRNA. Amino acids are always added from N-terminal to C-terminal.


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  • The peptide bond is planar and is in trans conformation between the oxygen of the carbonyl group and the hydrogen of the amide group
  • Due to resonance within the structure there is a partial double bond between the C and N
  • Therefore, there is no rotation between these two atoms, but there is free rotation around the alpha carbon
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amide_Bond_Resonance.jpg. The author Vkchang released this image into public domain.

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Peptide Bond Angles


https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PhiPsi_drawing_with_plane_and_labels.jpg. The author Dcrjsr has this file licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.
  • Every bond found in the backbone has rotation to some extent and each has a designated symbol
  • The angle around the N - Cα bond is referred to as phi (φ) while the Cα – C=O bond rotation is referred to as psi (ψ)
  • The peptide bond angle (omega/ω, C – N bond) is restrained at a 180o angle
  • The side chain rotation is called the chi (χ) angle
  • Protein secondary structures have very specific amino acid backbone angles
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Draw a small peptide corresponding to the following sequence, label the bond angles appropriately for one of the amino acids.

-Ala-Glu-Pro-Phe-

Refer to video for answer (time 4:15).
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Which statement is TRUE about peptide bonds?

a) It is a bond that joins two amino acids through the addition of a water molecule.
b) The bond forms between the amino group of the side chain and the alpha carbon.
c) The peptide bond is stabilized by a partial double bond and held at 180o angle.
d) The peptide bond typically holds the amino acid in a cis conformation.

c) The partial double bond is formed between the C=O and C-N of the peptide bond through resonance. The rigidity of this bond hold the peptide bond at specifically 180.
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Explain how peptide bonds hold a partial double bond characteristic using figures and resonance in your explanation.

The double bond found between C=O shares electrons with the C-N bond (the peptide bond). This is because both O and N being electronegative atoms, meaning they both attract electrons from the less electronegative carbon. This feature makes the bond rigid and holds the participating atoms it at an 180o angle.