0
$\begingroup$

I read a note saying that the amino acids of viruses are D enantiomers but I can't understand how that's possible since their human host can't even recognize that type.

$\endgroup$
3
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ The explanation here is way more prosaic than you suppose: the note is wrong. $\endgroup$
    – user24284
    Commented Oct 27, 2017 at 8:34
  • $\begingroup$ @vkehayas I approved your edit but I kept the reference to the mysterious "note". $\endgroup$
    – user24284
    Commented Oct 27, 2017 at 8:54
  • $\begingroup$ I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it's apparently based on a complete misunderstanding. Unless the person can post the "note" that ostensibly makes this claim, there's no utility for SE.bio site here. $\endgroup$
    – iayork
    Commented Oct 29, 2017 at 12:36

1 Answer 1

2
$\begingroup$

Viral amino acids would almost exclusively be L-enantiomers considering they use host cell resources and machinery to build their proteins and the host cells are built on L-enantiomers.

With that said, you could always have nonstandard exceptions as xusr mentioned, if a virus somehow requires oxidase for example.

$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .