Which one of the following properties of naturally occurring D-amino acids is INCORRECT:
Which one of the following properties of naturally occurring D-amino acids is INCORRECT:
Select an option to attempt
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation
D-amino acid peptides and peptidase susceptibility:Peptidases (proteases) in biological systems are stereospecific: they evolved to recognise and cleave L-amino acid peptide bonds.Consequences for D-amino acid-containing peptides:• D-amino acid residues are NOT recognized by standard peptidases → the peptide is MORE RESISTANT to proteolytic degradation.• This is why some antimicrobial peptides (e.g., gramicidin, tyrocidine) contain D-amino acids — for stability in biological environments.• Stating they are 'more susceptible' to peptidases is INCORRECT.Application: D-amino acid incorporation is a strategy in peptide drug design to increase in vivo half-life by preventing proteolysis.Answer: The INCORRECT statement is that D-amino acid peptides are MORE SUSCEPTIBLE to peptidases (opposite is true).