Today's molecule is my first example of a protein. I've given you two different views of the molecule showing most of it as a ribbon model. A small stretch of the polypeptide is displayed as a stick model. You have enough information to identify the protein provided you have taken the appropriate courses in high school or college. All we need is the name of the protein but if you can identify the species and the PDB file that would be an impressive feat of detective work.
As usual, there's a connection between Monday's molecule and this Wednesday's Nobel Laureate(s). This one is an direct connection. Once you have identified the molecule the Nobel Laureate(s) are obvious.
The reward (free lunch) goes to the person who correctly identifies both the molecule and the Nobel Laureate(s). Previous free lunch winners are ineligible for one month from the time they first collected the prize. There are no ineligible candidates for this Wednesday's reward since recent winners have declined the prize on the grounds that they live in another country and can't make it for lunch on Thursday. There was no winner last week although several people were close.
Is it ubiquitin? Aaron Ciechanover, Avram Hershko and Irwin Rose were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2004 work on its function.
ReplyDeletePDB = 1ubq, human
That's correct! You got the molecule, the Nobel Laureates, and the PDB file.
ReplyDeleteMeet me at my office on Thursday at noon for your free lunch. Please reply by tomorrow and let me know you're coming.
Yay!
ReplyDeleteLunch? Dang, tomorrow is my day to feed the bacteriophages, otherwise I would! :)
Tomorrow's Wednesday, btw.
ReplyDeleteForgot to add that I don't ever recall learning about the process of ubiquitonation in high school, though.
ReplyDelete