title: Models for the 3(10)-helix/coil, pi-helix/coil, and alpha-helix/3(10)-helix/coil transitions in isolated peptides.
abstract: Models for the 3(10)-helix/coil and pi-helix/coil equilibria have been derived. The theory is based on classifying residues into helical or nonhelical (coil) conformations. Statistical weights are assigned to residues in a helical conformation with an associated helical hydrogen bond, a helical conformation with no hydrogen bond, an N-cap position, a C-cap position, or the reference coil conformation. The models for alpha-helix formation and 3(10)-helix formation have also been combined to describe a three-state equilibrium in which alpha-helical, 3(10)-helical, and coil conformations are populated. The results are compared with the modified Lifson-Roig theory for the alpha-helix/coil equilibrium. The comparison accounts for the experimental observations that 3(10)-helices tend to be short and pi-helices are not favored for any length. This work may provide a framework for quantitatively rationalizing experimental work on isolated 3(10)-helices and mixed 3(10)-/alpha-helices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rohl
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Doig
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins