Open AccessThe packing of α‐helices: simple coiled‐coils
Author(s) -
Crick F. H. C.
Publication year - 1953
Publication title -
acta crystallographica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0365-110X
DOI - 10.1107/s0365110x53001964
Subject(s) - rope , simple (philosophy) , chain (unit) , physics , computer science , theoretical physics , crystallography , statistical physics , algorithm , chemistry , quantum mechanics , philosophy , epistemology
It is shown in this paper by Crick that when -helices of the same sense pack together they will probably do so about 20° away from parallel. For very long chains this may lead to a coiled-coil. The two simplest models - the two-strand rope and the three-strand rope - are described, and used to illustrate the diffraction theory already developed. It is shown that they would give a diffuse -pattern. Possible examples of these models are briefly discussed.