From Proteopedia
proteopedia linkproteopedia linkTHIS ARTICLE IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND IS CURRENTLY INCOMPLETE. Eric Martz 20:18, 19 September 2014 (IDT)
Backbone representations are simplified 3D depictions of proteins or nucleic acids that enable the polymer chain structure to be seen. In proteins, a simple backbone trace connects alpha carbons (balls) but the backbone trace line does not coincide with any of the covalent bonds in the main chain ().
| Protein Main Chain
Lets begin with (15 amino acids)[1] The atoms and bonds are colored by element:
C
H
O
N.
- First, we'll simplify by . Hydrogen atoms make up almost exactly 50% of the atoms in proteins.
- Next, we'll simplify by . 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 , leaving only the atoms that are part of the main chain, also called the backbone.
Protein Backbone Trace
Backbone Trace
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References
- ↑ Residues 23-37 from 1pgb.
