Strong detergents can disrupt hydrophobic interactions. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that controls the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Scientists studying acetylcholinesterase expose it to increasing amounts of a strong detergent. What will happen to acetylcholinesterase’s structure and function as the detergent levels increase? -Hydrophobic interactions are important to a protein’s structure but not its function, so no change in acetylcholinesterase’s activity is expected.
-Hydrophobic interactions are essential to the primary structure of proteins, so acetylcholinesterase will be unable to build peptide chains.
-Hydrophobic interactions interfere with proper tertiary structure, so a strong detergent should clean the acetylcholinesterase and improve the protein’s function.
-Hydrophobic interactions are important in maintaining tertiary and quaternary structure, so acetylcholinesterase will become denatured with increased levels of detergent.