Amino Acid Sequence
The complete sequence of amino acids in a protein or peptide. This order can be changed slightly to give a different peptide.
Amino acid sequences
Sequence of amino acids in a peptide chain. Aids in the identification of a peptide and in its differentiation from other compounds with similar properties.
Notation Sequences
A common abbreviation for the writing sequence of an amino acid. For example, depending on the notation, alanine may be written as ‘Ala’ or simply as ‘A’.
N-Terminus
The end of a peptide sequence containing a free amino group. It is normally considered the starting point when a peptide sequence is written.
C-Terminus
The opposite end of a peptide sequence, containing a free carboxyl group. It is generally treated as the end of the sequence.
Sequence Length
The number of amino acids present in a peptide chain. Sequence length can range from only a few amino acids to much longer chains.
Residue
An amino acid within a peptide chain is commonly called a residue. The term is used because the amino acid becomes part of the chain after peptide bond formation.
Sequence Identity
A measure of how well two peptide or protein sequences match up. The higher the sequence identity, the more positions of amino acids are identical.
Sequence Modification
An intentional modification of a natural amino acid sequence or structure of a peptide. The changes can be analysed to observe how peptide properties change with structural modifications.
Why Sequence Matters
A peptide sequence can be used to determine the structure and identity of a peptide. It can also help researchers to compare related peptides, to study differences in sequence and to understand how changes in the order of amino acids may affect their behaviour. our.
Research Use Only. This glossary explains terminology used in published research. It is not medical advice and does not describe any product for human or animal use.