Displaying Relevant Features of Protein Molecules

Abstract

We present a novel type of computer generated picture in which the positions of the main chain alpha carbon atoms are averaged and the different types of hydrogen bonds between main chain atoms are represented by lines of different colours and thicknesses joining the alpha-carbon atoms. This allows various types of helices, beta-sheets, beta-bulges and turns to be visualized. One beta-hairpin turn exhibits a structural feature at the loop end that has previously been described as a G1 beta-bulge. It occurs in another protein by itself, and can thus be said to be a new sort of turn.