Where is the collagen triple helix formed?

ER
Procollagen chains are modified and assembled into a triple helix in the ER (see Figure 22-14). Helix formation is aided by disulfide bonds between N- and C-terminal propeptides, which align the polypeptide chains in register.

Is the alpha helix found in collagen?

Triple helix structure of collagen These are called alpha chains and each of them has a conformation of a left-handed helix. Further the three left-handed helices are twisted together into a right-handed coiled coil, forming a triple helix or “super helix”.

Which has triple helix structure?

All collagens possess a stable triple-helix structure comprised of three collagen polypeptide chains. Collagens can be homotrimeric (three copies of the same polypeptide) such as type II or III collagen, or heterotrimeric (two or three different polypeptides) such as type I or IV collagen.

Which amino acid does collagen not have?

According to the current protein quality evaluation method PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility-corrected Amino Acid Score), collagen protein lacks one indispensable amino acid (tryptophan) and is therefore categorized as an incomplete protein source.

Why is collagen not an alpha helix?

Due to the high abundance of glycine and proline contents, collagen fails to form a regular α-helix and β-sheet structure.

Is collagen triple helix a secondary structure?

The triple-helix is a unique secondary structural motif found primarily within the collagens. In collagen, it is a homo- or hetero-tripeptide with a repeating primary sequence of (Gly-X-Y)n, displaying characteristic peptide backbone dihedral angles.

What would a triple helix look like?

As with a single helix, a triple helix may be characterized by its pitch, diameter, and handedness. Examples of triple helices include triplex DNA, triplex RNA, the collagen helix, and collagen-like proteins.

Why is there no glycine in alpha helix?

All the amino acids are found in α-helices, but glycine and proline are uncommon, as they destabilize the α-helix. Glycine is exempt from many steric constraints because it lacks a β carbon. Proline, on the other hand, is too rigid.

Is collagen a secondary or quaternary structure?

The quaternary structure of collagen consists of three left-handed helices twisted into a right-handed coil. This structure is shown in the graphic on the left. where X is any amino acid and hypro is hydroxyproline.

What makes up the triple helix of collagen?

It consists of a triple helix made of the repetitious amino acid sequence glycine -X-Y, where X and Y are frequently proline or hydroxyproline. Collagen folded into a triple helix is known as tropocollagen. Collagen triple helices are often bundled into fibrils which themselves form larger fibres, as in tendon.

How are the pyrrolidine rings in the collagen helix bonded?

The pyrrolidine rings keep out of each other’s way when the polypeptide chain assumes this extended helical form, which is much more open than the tightly coiled form of the alpha helix. The three chains are hydrogen bonded to each other. The hydrogen bond donors are the peptide NH groups of glycine residues.

Which is the secondary structure of collagen fibres?

TEM image of collagen fibres. The collagen triple helix or type-2 helix is the primary secondary structure of various types of fibrous collagen, including type I collagen. It consists of a triple helix made of the repetitious amino acid sequence glycine -X-Y, where X and Y are frequently proline or hydroxyproline.

How are side by side interactions of collagen helices stabilized?

The side-by-side interactions of collagen helices are stabilized by an aldol cross-link between two lysine (or hydroxylysine) side chains. The extracellular enzyme lysyl oxidase catalyzes formation of the aldehyde groups.