User:Tommie Hata/Protein Structure Tutorial: Difference between revisions

Proteins are polymers of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid amino acids].  The "backbone" of the protein is made up of carbons and nitrogens.  The amino acid sidechain extends out of the backbone.  <scene name='User:Tommie_Hata/Protein_Structure_Tutorial/Amino_acids_and_sidechains/2'>Here, the backbone is colored in CPK coloring and the sidechains are colored green.</scene>  The linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide is referred to as its [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_structure "primary structure"].

'''Interactions between the protein backbone: secondary structure'''

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_bond Hydrogen bonds] between backbone amide and carboxyl groups maintain some local structural characteristics referred to as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_structure secondary structure].  Two common types of secondary structure are the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_helices alpha helices] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_sheet beta pleated sheet].  <scene name='User:Tommie_Hata/Protein_Structure_Tutorial/Secondary_structure/2'>Here, alpha helices are colored red and beta pleated sheets colored blue in a "ribbons" display</scene>.