Replies to post #9332 on GTC Biotherapeutics (fka GTCB)

[jessellivermore]

Some Assembly Required.............

Since proteins and enzymes are considered molecules we tend to lump them in with the small molecules we learned about in chemistry such as H2O or CO2. Actually when thinking about plasma proteins and antibodies, not only are they composed of hundreds of highly ordered units (amino acids), but as they are peeled off the DNA which links them in a chainlike fashion they must fold and bend to form the correct 3-D structure necessary for them to function. This requires an assembly system including in some cases trace elements such as Zinc, copper,iron, and other elements, These elements actually function within the structure of the protein to produce specific shapes. To incorperate these elements into the protein requires other enzyme systems which help assemble the protein. This is why it is difficult to "express" certain proteins in yeast or cell culture.

When you look at these complex proteins closely enough they are marvelous little machines....true nanotechnology... they may resemble little tanks, have little hands with little fingers (held together by a Zn atom) which can reach in and dig something out. We are fortunate the complete assembly package is present in the goat mammary gland. It is not present in yeast, bacteria or cell culture.