Collagen secondary structure

Fibrous proteins can serve as structural materials for the same reason that other polymers do they are long-chain molecules. By cross-linking, interleaving and intertwining the proper combination of individual long-chain molecules, bulk properties are obtained that can serve many different functions. Fibrous proteins are usually divided in three different groups dependent on the secondary structure of the individual molecules coiled-coil a helices present in keratin and myosin, the triple helix in collagen, and P sheets in amyloid fibers and silks. 

Two common examples are the a-helix and the P-pleated sheet. These shapes are reinforced by hydrogen bonds. An individual protein may contain both types of secondary structures. Some proteins, like collagen, contain neither but have their own more characteristic secondary structures. 

Secondary structures for proteins are generally fibrous and globular. Proteins such as keratins, collagen, and elastin are largely fibrous and have secondary structures of sheets and helices. Many of the globular proteins are composed of protein chains present in secondary structures approximating helices and sheets. 

Secondary structure refers to regularities or repeating features in the conformation of the protein chain s backbone. Four major types of secondary structure in proteins are (1) the alpha (a) helix, formed from a single strand of amino acids (2) the beta (P) sheet, formed from two or more amino acid strands (from either the same chain or from different chains) (3) the beta (P) bend or reverse turn, in a single strand and (4) the collagen helix, composed of three strands of amino acids. 

The polypeptide backbone does not assume a random three-dimensional structure, but instead generally forms regular arrangements of amino acids that are located near to each other in the linear sequence. These arrangements are termed the secondary structure of the polypeptide. The a-helix, 3-sheet, and 3-bend are examples of secondary structures frequently encountered in proteins. [Note The collagen helix, another example of secondary structure, is discussed on p. 43.]... 

Collagen and elastin are examples of common, well-characterized fibrous proteins that serve structural functions in the body. For example, collagen and elastin are found as components of skin, connective tissue, blood vessel walls, and sclera and cornea of the eye. Each fibrous protein exhibits special mechanical properties, resulting from its unique structure, which are obtained by combining specific amino acids into reg ular, secondary structural elements. This is in contrast to globular proteins, whose shapes are the result of complex interactions between secondary, tertiary, and, sometimes, quaternary structural elements. 

Despite different sequences and repetitive motives, all gliadins have the same secondary structure of loose spirals which are a balanced compromise between the p-spiral and poly-L-proline structure (polyproline helix II) (Parrot et al., 2002), the balance is dependent on temperature, type of solvent, and hydration level (Miles et al., 1991). Similar sequences can be found in other proteins, mainly animal proteins such as elastin and collagen, and they are responsible for particular biomechanical properties connected to reverse P-spirals or p-sheet structures (Tatham and Shewry, 2000). 

Be familiar with the various secondary structures of proteins and their dimensions the a helix, /3 turns, pleated sheet structures, and collagen and what dictates the assumption of such... 

Understand the basic primary and secondary structures of collagen, including modes of cross-linking. 

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