What Role do Sulfhydryl Groups Play in Protein Folding?
Sulfhydryl groups are crucial in the protein folding process. During protein synthesis, cysteine residues can form disulfide bonds through the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups. These disulfide bonds help stabilize the protein's three-dimensional structure, which is essential for its biological activity. Misfolding of proteins due to improper disulfide bond formation can lead to diseases such as cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer's disease.
