Skip to main content

Protein Denaturation

Meaning

Protein denaturation is the biological process where a protein loses its complex, three-dimensional structure—its tertiary and secondary folds—which are essential for its specific biological function. This structural change is typically induced by external stressors such as excessive heat, extreme pH changes, or exposure to certain chemical agents, disrupting the non-covalent bonds that stabilize the native conformation. Denaturation renders the protein biologically inactive, a critical concept in pharmaceutical stability and cellular stress response.