Polyproline helices in protein structures: A statistical survey

Protein Pept Lett. 2006;13(8):847-54. doi: 10.2174/092986606777841154.

Abstract

A statistical survey of polyproline II (PPII) helices extracted from protein crystal structures is here reported. The average hydrophobicity of these helices is intermediate between those displayed by beta-strands and coil regions and is similar to that of alpha-helices. PPII helices with amphipathic properties have been identified and classified. Amino acid propensities for PPII helices derived in this study differ significantly from those previously reported. They show a little albeit significant correlation with propensities for alpha-helices whereas they are fully non-correlated to propensities for beta-sheets. Finally, PPII propensities have been correlated with amino acid frequencies in structural proteins, such as collagen and extensins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Computational Biology / methods
  • Databases, Protein / statistics & numerical data
  • Models, Statistical
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary*

Substances

  • Peptides
  • polyproline