Question

The side chain of histidine has a typical pKa value in the range of 6.5-7.4. However, when analyzing the pKa values in a particular protein, scientists determined that one particular His residue has an unusually low pKa value of 4.8. Which of the following statements correctly explain this anomaly?

1) The microenvironment around a residue can impact its pKa value.
2) A positively charged amino acid must be in close proximity to this residue.
3) A negatively charged amino acid must be in close proximity to this residue.

Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Statements 1 and 4 are correct.
Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct.
Statements 2, 3, and 4 are correct.

4) This residue must be located on the surface of the protein.

Answer 1

Answer:

Statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Explanation:

The microenvironment around a amino acid residue can impact its pKa value according with the Born effect. If there is a positively charged environment, like in the second option, the pKa value will decrease, just as it happens in the histidine residue. So the correct answers are 1 and 2.