The peptide hormone insulin becomes biologically inactive after being treated with a mild reducing a — Biochemistry Chemistry Question
Question
The peptide hormone insulin becomes biologically inactive after being treated with a mild reducing agent. Which is the best explanation for this observation?
A.✓ Correct
The reducing agent cleaves disulfide bonds, which alters the structure of the hormone.
B.
The reducing agent cleaves peptide (amide) bonds, breaking the hormone into smaller polypeptides.
C.
The reducing agent modifies the alcohol-containing side chains of some of the amino acids, decreasing the affinity of the hormone for its cellular receptor.
D.
The reducing agent decreases the overall charge on the hormone, causing it to bind unselectively to cell membranes.
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