Helix Interactions in a Leucine Zipper In an alpha-helix the backbone is somewhat packed against itself. In the helix interactionsof a leucine zipper, the leucines reach out to contact other leucines in the opposite helix. The geometry of a luecine sidechain facilitates this interaction. The leucines of the red helix are colored violet. The leucines of the blue helix are colored cyan. You can see how they pack against each other. 1d66 (PDB) |
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