How does a mutation in DNA code change the higher order structure of protein? (Better explanation inside)?
That definitely makes sense ! Before you embark on your journey to study the effects of mutation on protein structure, you should study the structure of individual amino acids that make up proteins (20 standard aa). Isoleucine and Leucine are isomers of each other and they both have NON-POLAR side chains, whereas Asparagine and Glutamine are basic amino acids with POLAR side chains. The structure, hence the function of a protein is dependent on the inter-molecular contacts of the side chains of the amino acids composing the protein. The aa with non-polar side chains, tend to stay away from water (hydrophobic) whereas aa with polar side chains remain in contact with water (hydrophilic) by making Hudrogen bonds with water. Hence, in general you will find non-polar aa in the core of the protein and polar aa on the surface. Mutation of Leucine and Isoleucine to Asparagine and Glutamine will disrupt the inter-molecular contacts made by their side chains, hence destroy the native structure o
