help with protein sequencing!!!

[katruong86]

I have a problem that I cannot figure out. Can someone please help??

 

Suppose you have a peptide with the sequence:

 

val-pro-ala-glu-ala-cys-lys-met-ile-val-his-ser-leu-arg-glu-gly

 

If you add the enzyme carboxypeptidase and check the concentrations of amino acids every 30 seconds which amino acid will always have the highest concentration?

Edited September 29, 2008 by katruong86

[CharonY]

This sounds like homework, but it is lacking essential info.

Carboxypeptidases are a broad family of peptidases with different specificities. While they can only attack from the C-terminus (hence the name) you just cannot expect a homogeneous digest every 30 seconds or so.

[katruong86]

yes, that is why I am confused with the question. it is a homework assignment, but that was all the teacher provided.

[CharonY]

Well, unless he showed a example in his lecture you would have to ask the following questions:

 

- which carboxypeptidase?

 

-what is its activity under the given conditions?

 

-how many units enzyme are used and what is the concentration of the peptide?