Physicochemical Position-Dependent Properties in the Protein Secondary Structures

Background: Establishing theories for designing arbitrary protein structures is complicated and depends on understanding the principles for protein folding, which is affected by applied features. Computer algorithms can reach high precision and stability in computationally designed enzymes and binders by applying informative features obtained from natural structures.

Methods: In this study, a position-specific analysis of secondary structures (α-helix, β-strand, and tight turn) was performed to reveal novel features for protein structure prediction and protein design.

Results: Our results showed that the secondary structures in the N-termini region tend to be more compact than C-termini. Decoying periodicity in length and distribution of amino acids in α-helices is deciphered using the curve-fitting methods. Compared with α-helix, β-strands do not show distinct periodicities in length. Also, significant differences in position-dependent distribution of physicochemical properties are shown in secondary structures.

Conclusion: Position-specific propensities in our study underline valuable parameters that could be used by researchers in the field of structural biology, particularly protein design through site-directed mutagenesis.