Proteins, and the amino acid building blocks that make them up, are essential for all living organisms. Within the human genome, there are about 21,000 different genes that encode proteins, although there may be anywhere from 250,000 to one million proteins within our cells . Because of the vast number of proteins that are needed in order for our bodies to function properly and optimally, much research is dedicated to learning more about the mechanisms behind protein creation. Ultimately, this information could lead to huge breakthroughs in both medical and skin care technologies. Most recently, researchers have successfully used a new computer software system called Rosetta, along with other computational models, to see firsthand how proteins are put together.
What Are Amino Acids and Proteins?
First, let’s take a step back and get a better understanding of what amino acids and proteins are, and why they are so important for both your overall health and the look and feel of your skin. Amino acids are considered the “building blocks of life” because they are the tiny molecules that join together to form proteins. Proteins, then, are long chains of 50 or more amino acids. Substances that contain fewer than 50 amino acids are called peptides . Although the human body is able to produce some amino acids–which are called non-essential amino acids–it cannot produce all 20 of the basic amino acids used to create proteins. Therefore, these essential amino acids need to be obtained from external sources in order for your body to be able to synthesize all necessary proteins. The many proteins that your body synthesizes, then, perform a vast array of functions. Collagen, for example, is one of the main proteins in human skin. Its primary function is to provide your skin with structural support. Without enough collagen, the skin loses its firmness and will begin to sag and form lines and wrinkles. This is why amino acids are key components of anti-aging strategies for your skin.
Rosetta and Other Computational Models for “Unpacking” Proteins
One of the ways that researchers can begin to understand more about the complex mechanisms and molecular structures that go into protein creation is to “unpack” or take apart existing proteins and then put them back together again. In past studies, a computer software program called Rosetta was able to successfully remove single amino acids from proteins while taking into account important interactions like electrostatics, Van der Waals’ forces, and hydrogen bonding . Using this program, researchers were then able to accurately predict how each amino acid would fit back into place to form the same protein. As a continuation of that study, researchers have since created additional computational models and software packages to learn about the structure of more complex proteins, like those that contain amino acid side-chains, rather than a linear chain of amino acids. With the help of these software systems, researchers found that even complex amino acid structures seem to fit into place like puzzle pieces in order to create the complete picture, i.e. the protein [3, 4]. The implications of these findings may mean huge advancements in medical and skin care technologies. The better we are able to understand how proteins are naturally created, the more successfully we will be able to recreate this process. Whether for medical or cosmetic reasons, proteins are often the key to targeting the underlying issue in order to achieve the best possible outcome.
Amino Acids and Skin Care
In the case of skin health and appearance, for instance, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin proteins is one of the most effective mechanisms for improving the appearance of nearly all signs of visible aging. We already know that by using topical amino acid products, we can stimulate the skin’s production of collagen, which, in turn, significantly improves the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. As researchers begin to understand even more about how amino acids come together to form various proteins throughout the body, the possibilities of amino acid therapy for skin care and in the medical field will grow exponentially.
 Yale University