beta-Peptides: Novel Secondary Structures Take Shape

摘要

The prerequisite for the biological function of any protein is the folding of the peptide strand composed of alpha-amino acid residues into the corresponding active conformation. Important intermediates during the folding process are domains having aparticular secondary structure. Secondary structures of alpha-peptides have been studied intensively; the most common structural themes are the alpha-helix and the beta-sheet. Is the occurrence of secondary structures limited to alpha-peptides only?