Backbone representations: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:06, 19 September 2014

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 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

ReferencesReferences

↑ Residues 23-37 from 1pgb.

Proteopedia Page Contributors and Editors (what is this?)Proteopedia Page Contributors and Editors (what is this?)

Eric Martz, Margaret Franzen

[1] Residues 23-37 from 1pgb.

[1]

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 ==Protein Main Chain==
-Here is a small alpha helix (15 amino acids)<ref>Residues 23-37 from [[1pgb]].</ref> In the <scene name='59/599354/Helix/1'>initial scene</scene>, all atoms are shown, colored by element:
+Lets begin with <scene name='59/599354/Helix/1'>all atoms of a small alpha helix</scene> (15 amino acids)<ref>Residues 23-37 from [[1pgb]].</ref> The atoms and bonds are colored by element:
 <font style="font-size:150%;">{{Template:ColorKey_Element_C}}
 {{Template:ColorKey_Element_H}}