Name: Proline
Three Letter Code: Pro
One Letter Code: P
Molecular Weight: 115.13
Proline is a
nonpolar,
cyclic amino acid. It is unique among the 20 amino acids found in proteins in that it is
secondary. Its cyclic nature makes it good for forming turns and bends. It is located in turns known as β-bends. Normal amino acids have two rotational degrees of freedom in a
peptide, however because of its cyclic nature proline only has one
degree of freedom which is severly limited. This causes it to interrupt
secondary structures such as α-helicies and β-sheets.
Structure:
HOOC H
\ /
C
/ \
HN CH2
| |
H2C----CH2