Conjugated Proteins

Proteins form complexes with other small and large molecules, including nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. These are called conjugated proteins, meaning their complexes consist of both amino acids and nonprotein components.

Nucleoproteins are comprised of both proteins and nucleic acids. 

Deoxyribonucleoproteins or DNPs contain DNA and are commonly found in the nucleus. In eukaryotic cells, DNA is tightly wrapped around histone proteins, forming nucleosomes, a crucial part of chromosome structure.

Ribonucleoproteins or RNPs contain RNA and can be located in the nucleus, as well as the cytoplasm. The spliceosome is a large complex of five small nuclear RNPs, or snRNPs containing both RNA and protein along with accessory cofactors. The spliceosome removes undesired nucleotides from a precursor gene transcript. 

Glycoproteins and proteoglycans are protein complexes that contain carbohydrates of varying sizes.

Antibodies are glycoproteins with short carbohydrate chains, critical for normal immune function. 

In contrast, proteoglycans are formed from long repeating sugar units.  Often these are modified sugars that contain other functional groups instead of a hydroxyl group. Prot