Amidekötések

Amidekötések, also known as peptide bonds, are covalent chemical bonds formed between amino acids. Specifically, they form between the carboxyl group (-COOH) of one amino acid and the amino group (-NH2) of another. This reaction results in the release of a water molecule and the formation of a new peptide bond, linking the two amino acids together. This process is known as a condensation or dehydration reaction. The resulting molecule is called a dipeptide, and the sequential linking of many amino acids through amide bonds creates polypeptides and ultimately proteins. The amide bond has a partial double bond character due to resonance, which restricts rotation around the bond and contributes to the planar structure of the peptide backbone. This structural rigidity is crucial for the overall three-dimensional folding of proteins, which dictates their function. Amide bonds are generally stable but can be hydrolyzed (broken) by enzymes called proteases or through strong acidic or basic conditions, regenerating the individual amino acids.