Proteins exist in four different structures: the primary structure, which is the basic amino acid sequence; the secondary structure, which exhibits repeating patterns held together by hydrogen bonds; the tertiary structure, which demonstrates the complete shape of one protein molecule; and the quaternary structure, which is composed of multiple protein molecules to form polypeptide chains. The difference between PrP-C and PrP-Sc lies in their contrasting secondary structure forms.
In this movement piece, I used my hands and fingers to represent the different protein structures in hierarchical order. The beginning, individual piano notes represent the primary structure — linear, step-by-step amino acid sequences. As the piece moves forward, the synergetic, repeating movement of the fingers and hands represent the secondary structure. However, here is where things begin to go awry: unlike the even-keeled, sequential nature of the piano opening, these ‘secondary structure movements’ are much more erratic and sharp — not a reflection of how amino acid structures literally move, of course, but rather a representation of the abnormalities that occur when a prion begins to take PrP-Sc form.
As the song moves into the chorus, I do a short finger-tutting routine that is distinct in its rigidness and strict, choreographed nature. This is representative of a protein’s tertiary structure, as well as the mechanical, precise manner in which proteins — benign and malignant alike — work within the body. As mechanical and precise as it is, however, this finger-tutting routine speaks to the malignancy of a PrP-Sc prion. The broad hand movements directly following the routine illustrate the prion’s effect on its host — tissues are broken apart, previously well-functioning systems become warped and fail to function as they should. However, this only creates an environment for a malignant prion to function more efficiently and rapidly (as demonstrated by the reprise of the finger-tutting routine; this time faster than before), as it converts other benign prions into a malignant form.