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Alpha helix (rotational angle)

Description

The alpha helix (α-helix) is a common secondary structure of proteins and is a righthand-coiled or spiral conformation (helix). Residues in α-helices typically adopt backbone (φ, ψ) dihedral angles around (-60°, -45°). they adopt dihedral angles such that the ψ dihedral angle of one residue and the φ dihedral angle of the next residue sum to roughly -105. The general formula for the rotation angle Ω per residue of any polypeptide helix with trans isomers is depended of the (φ, ψ) dihedral angles.

Related formulas

Variables

ΩThe the rotation angle (degrees)
ϕDihedral angle of one residue ( angle between two planes) (degrees)
ψDihedral angle of the next residue ( angle between two planes) (degrees)