Journal of Molecular Biology
Volume 151, Issue 2, 15 September 1981, Pages 261-287
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Disulphide bridges in globular proteins

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Abstract

Disulphide bridges in proteins of known sequence, connectivity and structure were studied to search for common features. Their distribution, topology, conformation and conservation were analysed in detail. Several general patterns emerge which to some extent dictate disulphide bridge formation. For example, there is a strong preference for shorter connections, with half-cystines separated by less than 24 residues in 49% of all disulphides. Right- and left-handed disulphides occur equally; the left-handed structures adopt one predominant conformation (symmetric χ1 = −60 °, χ2 = −80 °, χ3 = t-90 °). Cystines are generally very well conserved, in contrast to cysteines, with a free —SH group, which mutate rapidly. If a disulphide is not conserved, both cystines are mutated. The role of disulphide bridges in globular proteins is discussed.

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    This work was started at the Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Zoology Department, Oxford, England.

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