The protein brazzein is a relatively small protein, precisely measured by its molecular mass and the number of its constituent amino acids.
Understanding Brazzein's Size Metrics
Brazzein's size is characterized by two primary metrics: its amino acid residue count and its molecular mass. These measurements provide a clear indication of its compact structure.
- Amino Acid Residues: Proteins are polymers made of amino acids. The number of amino acid residues indicates the length of the protein chain.
- Molecular Mass (Daltons - Da): Molecular mass measures the total mass of a molecule. For proteins, it's typically expressed in Daltons, where one Dalton is approximately the mass of one atomic mass unit.
Here's a breakdown of brazzein's dimensions:
| Characteristic | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Amino Acid Residues | 54 | N/A |
| Molecular Mass | 6,473 | Da |
This small size contributes to brazzein's stability and unique properties as a sweet protein. For context, many common proteins are significantly larger, often comprising hundreds or even thousands of amino acid residues and molecular masses in the tens or hundreds of thousands of Daltons.
