Journal of Proteomics & Bioinformatics
Open Access
ISSN: 0974-276X
+44 1223 790975
ISSN: 0974-276X
+44 1223 790975
Steven Hayward
University of East Anglia, UK
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Proteomics Bioinform
Examples of homomeric �?²-helices and �?²-barrels have recently emerged. Here we have generalized the theory for the shear number in �?²-barrels to encompass �?²-helices and homomeric structures. We introduce the concept of the �?²-strip which comprises neighboring strands, parallel or antiparallel and forms the repeating unit that builds the helix. In this context, the shear number is interpreted as the sum of register shifts between neighboring �?²-strips. This more general approach has allowed us to derive relationships between the helical width, helical pitch, angle between strand direction and helical axis, mass per length, register shift, and number of strands. The validity and unifying power of the method is demonstrated with known structures including the T4 phage spike, cylindrin, and the HET-s (218-289) prion. The relationships have allowed us to predict register shift and number of strands in transthyretin and Alzheimer �?² (40) amyloid protofilaments from reported dimensions measured by X-ray fiber diffraction which we have used to construct models that comprise a single strip of inregister �?²-strands folded into a �?²-strip helix. The results suggest that both stabilization of an individual �?²-strip helix as a protofilament subunit and growth of the protofilament by the joining of subunits end-to-end, would involve the association of the same pair of sequence segments at the same register shift.
Steven Hayward is a Reader in Computational Biology at the University of East Anglia. He uses computational methods, including bioinformatics techniques and simulation, to understand protein structure, dynamics and function. He has focused particularly on protein dynamics and developed the popular DynDom method for the analysis of domain movements in proteins. Recently he has worked on the fundamental structure of amyloid fibrils and works on the development of interactive tools for protein visualization and docking using haptics.