Are chemical messages between proteins intermolecular forces

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of interactions between proteins, specifically whether these interactions can be classified as intermolecular forces or intramolecular forces. Participants explore the implications of these classifications in the context of protein signaling and communication.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the "chemical messages" sent between messenger and receptor proteins could be considered as interactions governed by intermolecular forces.
  • Another participant proposes that cell signaling might be more related to intramolecular forces since the molecules bind together during the signaling process.
  • A question is raised about whether the repelling forces between incompatible proteins could still be classified as intramolecular forces, despite the lack of binding.
  • A reference is made to Van der Waals forces as an example of intermolecular forces that can cause repulsion at short distances.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the classification of forces involved in protein interactions, with no consensus reached on whether these interactions should be categorized as intermolecular or intramolecular forces.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of protein interactions and the potential for overlapping definitions of intermolecular and intramolecular forces, but do not resolve the distinctions clearly.

icakeov
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This question might be a stretch, but I was just reading about inter- and intra-molecular forces.

And I found that "Intermolecular forces (IMFs) are forces of attraction or repulsion which act between neighboring particles (atoms, molecules, or ions)"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermolecular_force

Since proteins are complex molecules, and they constantly interact with each other and send "chemical messages" between messenger and receptor proteins, does that mean these "interactions" and "messages" would be in the weak "intermolecular forces"?
http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/proteins-communicate/

Thanks for any thoughts!
 
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I do realize that cell signaling is actually more in the intramolecular force domain, because the molecules actually bind together when "delivering a message". So I guess that intermolecular forces are all the the forces that happen between different messenger and receptor proteins while they float around, looking for the right connection.

Furthermore, when two proteins that are not "compatible" meet and "avoid" each other, would one say that the "repelling force" between them was driven by intramolecular force? i.e. just because they didn't bind, that doesn't necessarily mean that the force that was playing out still wasn't an intramolecular one...

Any thoughts on this would be super appreciated!
 
icakeov said:
Furthermore, when two proteins that are not "compatible" meet and "avoid" each other, would one say that the "repelling force" between them was driven by intramolecular force? i.e. just because they didn't bind, that doesn't necessarily mean that the force that was playing out still wasn't an intramolecular one...

I think that the Van der Waals force is considered intermolecular and repels at such short distances. See: Van der Waals radius

There are other ways to mathematically describe force fields that would be more up your alley, see this list.
 
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Great, thanks @Fervent Freyja ! Exactly what I was looking for! There are so many of them! Amazing.
 
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