Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 3
Toshiyuki Moriuchi and Toshikazu Hirao
Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering,
Osaka University Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
moriuchi@chem.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp, hirao@chem.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp
3.1
Introduction
Highly ordered molecular assemblies are constructed in proteins to
fulfill the unique functions as observed in enzymes, receptors, etc.
Hydrogen bonds play a crucial role in regulating the three-dimensional
structure and function of biological systems. The regular secondary
structural components of proteins such as
a
-helices,
b
-sheets, and
b
-turns play an important role in protein folding, which is mostly
stabilized by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction of
side chains [1]. Highly specific patterns of complementary intra-
and intermolecular hydrogen bonds are created in such secondary
structures. Architectural control of molecular self-organization
is of importance for the development of functional materials [2].
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