In my diploma, I focused on the role of electrostatic interactions in protein systems. Outline of two implicit theoretical models used for treating electrostatics in systems containing proteins will be given: the Born and the Poisson-Boltzmann model.
Electrostatic interactions are strongly dependent on the protein composition, as well as on pH, temperature, presence of salts, and cofactors. They play a very important role (especially hydrogen bonding and salt bridges) in folding and thus in protein structure. They are also important for protein solubility, protein interactions with other biological molecules, and protein-protein interactions that lead to protein self-aggregation, as proteins in the vast majority of cases do not act on their own.
Proteins can also be misfolded, which leads to protein aggregation. These aggregates begin to accumulate in the tissue, causing the cell to no longer be able to perform its function, leading to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases are very common today, but unfortunately they are still not curable
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