Greek Key Motif (Molecular Biology)

The Greek key motif describes a particular topology for arranging four b-strands into an antiparallel b-sheet in protein structures (Fig. 1). The name comes from the similarity between this b-strand topology and a decorative pattern used in ancient Greece (also called the Greek key). A common domain structure in proteins is the Greek key b-barrel, a type of antiparallel b-barrel, where two Greek key b-sheets fold together to form an eight-stranded antiparallel b-barrel.

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the topology of the Greek key motif in proteins, with individual b-strands of the b-sheet depicted as arrows. The N- and C-termini of the motif are labeled.

Schematic representation of the topology of the Greek key motif in proteins, with individual b-strands of the b-sheet depicted as arrows. The N- and C-termini of the motif are labeled.

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