We analyze the protein secondary structure using the Frenet frame to describe the curvature and torsion of the discrete curve formed by the protein $\alpha$-carbons. We show how a simple criterion based on the evaluation of Frenet frame rotation along the discrete curve supports identification of alpha-helices, beta-strands, and selected supersecondary structures in proteins. Moreover, the description of proteins as fixed points of an effective action inspired by a $U\left(1\right)$ gauge model is supported by the analysis of a large dataset of proteins in the Protein Data Bank.

Close

PrevNext

View figure in article

• Proteins
• Gauge symmetries