User:Tommie Hata/Protein Structure Tutorial

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Lysozyme, PDB ID 2lyz

Amino acids and primary structure Proteins are polymers of amino acids. The "backbone" of the protein is made up of carbons and nitrogens. The amino acid sidechain extends out of the backbone. The linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide is referred to as its "primary structure".

Interactions between the protein backbone: secondary structure Hydrogen bonds between backbone amide and carboxyl groups maintain some local structural characteristics referred to as secondary structure. Two common types of secondary structure are the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_helices alpha helices] and the beta pleated sheet. .