User:Jyj748/Protein trimer

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In biochemistry, a protein trimer is a macromolecular complex formed by three, usually non-covalently bound, macromolecules like proteins or nucleic acids. A protein trimer often occurs from the assembly of a protein's quaternary structure. The non-covalent interactions between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions on the polypeptides units help to stabilize the quaternary structure. Since a protein trimer is comprised of multiple polypeptide subunits, it is considered an oligomer.

A homotrimer would be formed by three identical molecules. A heterotrimer would be formed by three different macromolecules. Type II Collagen is an example of homotrimeric protein, while Type I collagen is an AAB-type heterotrimeric protein.