Thousands of chemical reactions and metabolic functions continually occur in your body to sustain life. Proteins, one of the primary types of molecules in your body, play a key role in these metabolic processes. Both proteins and hormones are produced in your cells, allowing them to perform complex functions on a microscopic level.
Protein Synthesis
Production of protein molecules relies on the information encoded in your genes. The first step in protein synthesis is creation of messenger ribonucleic acid, or mRNA, which contains the genetic information needed to make a specific type of protein. Special subcellular structures called ribosomes interpret this mRNA molecule. The ribosomes assemble amino acids, the building blocks of protein molecules, into the correct order and link them together. When it is completed, the chain of amino acids forms a functional protein molecule.
Hormone Production
Hormones are a special class of molecules that travel from their cell of origin through the bloodstream to a target organ or cell. Your body uses hormones to send messages from one body part to another. Several different structures produce hormones, including the pituitary gland in the brain, the thyroid gland and the hypothyroid. Some hormones are produced from fat molecules, while others come from amino acids. The specific methods of production for each type of hormone differ. Your body constantly regulates hormone production by turning specific genes on and off.
Relationship
Proteins make up one of the four major classes of hormones. Some, but not all, hormones consist solely of a special protein. These proteins could be as simple as a chain of three amino acids or very complex, containing hundreds of amino acids. Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin are examples of peptide hormones, which are short protein chains. Thus, proper protein synthesis is essential to produce the hormones that regulate a variety of physiological activities.
Considerations
Without proteins, your body would not be able to survive. Protein and hormone production depends on the presence of amino acids. There are 20 types of amino acids needed to make proteins, but your body can only produce 10 of these itself. The other 10 amino acids, called essential amino acids, must come from your diet. Animal proteins, soybeans, certain vegetables, seeds and grain products provide your body with these essential amino acids. Eating a balanced diet that provides you with these amino acids is necessary for proper protein and hormone production.
