protomer
(ˈprəʊtəmə(r))
[ult. f. Gr. πρῶτος first + -mer.]
1. Chem. [f. proton or prototropy.] Any prototropic tautomer.
| 1923 [see prototropy]. 1968 Jrnl. Amer. Chem. Soc. XC. 1575/2 Analysis of the protomer stabilities in terms of relative chemical binding energies is risky. 1979 C. Roussel et al. in J. V. Metzger Thiazole & its Derivatives ii. vii. 379 Protic solvents stabilize more the form giving the stronger hydrogen bond: so the mercapto protomer..should become apparent in the ultraviolet spectra recorded in ethanol. |
2. Biochem. [f. protein.] Any of the protein subunits of which an oligomeric protein is built up.
| 1965 J. Monod et al. in Jrnl. Molecular Biol. XII. 89 The identical subunits associated within an oligomeric protein are designated as protomers. Ibid. 106 Within oligomeric proteins the protomers are in general linked by a multiplicity of non-covalent bonds, conferring both specificity and stability on the association. 1970 Nature 28 Nov. 828/1 By definition a protomer constitutes one primitive cell. 1980 Biophysical Chem. XI. 49/1 The treatment has been extended to include aggregated structures containing from two to five protomers, thus encompassing almost the whole spectrum of oligomeric proteins likely to be encountered. |
Hence protoˈmeric a.
| 1923 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. CXXIII. 828 The two forms of the ion are tautomeric..; but they yield protomeric hydrides, and isomeric derivatives with radicles such as methyl and ethyl. 1968 Jrnl. Amer. Chem. Soc. XC. 1575/1 In the cases of the heteroaromatic isomers, the protomeric equilibrium has been..found to favor the amide in solution. 1974 Nature 24 May 316/1 The accumulation of data on the protomeric units of several synthetases. 1979 R. Barone et al. in J. V. Metzger Thiazole & its Derivatives ii. vi. 20 When the electro⁓negativity of the substituent borne by the amino group increases, the protomeric equilibrium is expected to be shifted towards the imino structure. |