Backbone representations

Backbone representations are simplified 3D depictions of proteins or nucleic acids that enable the polymer chain structure to be seen.

spinqualitylabelsall models Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image   Print3D Protein Main Chain Here is a small alpha helix (15 amino acids) In the initial scene, all atoms are shown, colored by element: C H O N. First, we'll simplify by hiding the hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen atoms make up almost exactly 50% of the atoms in proteins. Next, we'll simplify by hiding the amino acid side chains. What remains is called the main chain. Each amino acid's main chain atoms are N-C-C, where the first C is the alpha carbon (shown as a ball), and the second, the carboxyl carbon with its double-bonded oxygen (double bonds not shown). We could also hide the oxygen atoms, leaving only the atoms that are part of the main chain, also called the backbone. Protein Backbone Trace backbone bb only with ca bb bb + trace treace trace + cartoon cartoon only cartoon + wireframe Backbone Trace domain cartoon domain cartoon color structure domain cartoon + wireframe wireframe backbone backbone + trace trace

Proteopedia Page Contributors and Editors (what is this?)

Eric Martz, Margaret Franzen