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 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

Here is a small alpha helix (15 amino acids)^[1] 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.

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]