Structural Bioinformatics Approach: Study Case in SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitor

Abstract

Proteins are built from a set of only twenty amino acids, each of which has a unique side chain. The side chains of amino acids have different chemistries that all together account for protein’s function. The function of a protein is determined by its shape. The shape of a protein is determined by its primary structure (sequence of amino acids). The sequence of amino acids in a protein is determined by the sequence of nucleotides in the gene (DNA) encoding it. Therefore, there is strong relationship between DNA and protein. DNA itself can interact with the protein, especially when it comes to the regulation or gene expression. For example, when DNA bids to a transcription factor that enhances or represses the gene expression. In this lab session, we will analyze the protein structure and the DNA that can perform their function in the cell.