The process of partial or total alteration of the native structure of a macromolecule
resulting from the loss of tertiary or tertiary and
secondary structure that is a consequence of the disruption of stabilizing weak bonds. Denaturation can
occur when
proteins and
nucleic acids are subjected to elevated temperature or to extremes of pH, or to non-physiological
concentrations of
salt, organic solvents, urea or other chemical agents.
Source:
PAC, 1992, 64, 143
(Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992))
on page 151
PAC, 1994, 66, 2587
(Glossary of bioanalytical nomenclature - Part 1: General terminology, body fluids,
enzymology, immunology (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 2593
Cite as:
IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by
A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997).
XML on-line corrected version: http://goldbook.iupac.org (2006-) created by M. Nic,
J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.
