A periodic table of coiled-coil protein structures

Area of Science:

• Structural biology
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Coiled coils are protein structural motifs essential for various biological functions.
• These structures feature two or more alpha-helices packed via knob-into-hole side chain interactions.
• Understanding coiled coil diversity is crucial for protein engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically analyze and classify a comprehensive set of coiled-coil protein structures.
• To develop a user-friendly resource for exploring coiled coil diversity and properties.
• To establish a foundation for future coiled coil prediction and design endeavors.

Main Methods:

• Combined automated and manual analysis of known coiled-coil structures.
• Developed a classification system based on the number of alpha-helices and complexity.
• Created an online database and visualization tool, the "periodic table of coiled coils".

Main Results:

• A systematic classification of coiled-coil protein structures was established.
• The classification organizes assemblies by the number of helices (columns) and complexity (rows).
• An interactive online resource (http://coiledcoils.chm.bris.ac.uk/ccplus/search/periodic_table) was launched.

Conclusions:

• The "periodic table of coiled coils" provides a framework for understanding coiled coil structural possibilities and limitations.
• This resource facilitates future studies in coiled coil prediction, engineering, and de novo design.
• The classification advances the understanding of protein structure-function relationships.