Backbone representations

THIS 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 (yellow) connects alpha carbons (balls) but the trace line does not coincide with any of the covalent bonds in the main chain.

Protein Main Chain Here is a small alpha helix (15 amino acids) In the , all atoms are shown, 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.

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