PROTEIN ALPHA HELICAL CONFORMATION Meaning and
Definition
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The protein alpha helical conformation refers to the specific three-dimensional structure adopted by a polypeptide chain, characterized by its secondary structure in which the backbone forms a stable helical coil. This conformation is commonly found in proteins and is one of the main structural motifs.
In an alpha helix, the polypeptide chain is coiled in a right-handed spiral with the backbone forming the central axis of the helix. The helical coil is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between the carbonyl oxygen atom of one residue and the amide hydrogen atom of a residue four positions ahead along the chain. This regular hydrogen bonding pattern allows for a tight and stable helical structure.
The alpha helix is characterized by its specific geometry, including the pitch (distance between each complete turn of the helix), the rise (vertical distance between two consecutive residues), and the number of residues per turn. The most common form of the alpha helix is the α-helix, which spans 3.6 residues per turn, with a rise of 1.5 angstroms per residue and a pitch of 5.4 angstroms per turn.
The protein alpha helical conformation plays a fundamental role in protein structure and function. It provides stability to the polypeptide chain and allows for efficient packing of amino acid side chains within the protein interior. Additionally, alpha helices can participate in important protein-protein interactions, serve as membrane-spanning regions, or act as recognition motifs for other molecules, such as DNA or RNA.
Common Misspellings for PROTEIN ALPHA HELICAL CONFORMATION
- orotein alpha helical conformation
- lrotein alpha helical conformation
- -rotein alpha helical conformation
- 0rotein alpha helical conformation
- peotein alpha helical conformation
- pdotein alpha helical conformation
- pfotein alpha helical conformation
- ptotein alpha helical conformation
- p5otein alpha helical conformation
- p4otein alpha helical conformation
- pritein alpha helical conformation
- prktein alpha helical conformation
- prltein alpha helical conformation
- prptein alpha helical conformation
- pr0tein alpha helical conformation
- pr9tein alpha helical conformation
- prorein alpha helical conformation
- profein alpha helical conformation
- progein alpha helical conformation
- proyein alpha helical conformation
