This work provides a comprehensive description of the molecular, chemical, and physical properties of proteins. It brings together in one authoritative resource coverage of all aspects of proteins-biosynthesis, evolution, dynamics ligand binding and catalysis, in YSI addition to their structures. The second edition has been thoroughly updated - especially in the area of protein biosynthesis - and features coverage of: developments in site-acted mutagenesis and protein engineering advances in the use of NMR to determine protein structure factors affecting the aqueous solubilities; of better understanding of the stabilities of folded conformations; how proteins interact with DNA; and progress in elucidating the mechanisms of protein degradation and turnover. This edition features end-of-chapter exercises and problems, many of which require the student to consult important contributions to the literature.