On the conformation of proteins: an analysis of β-pleated sheets

Abstract

Data from the known protein structures were used to analyze the structure of β-pleated sheets. We considered the numer of strands within a sheet; the type of connection between two sequential intra-sheet strands; the order of the strands, with particular reference to the N and C-terminal strands; and the number of residues in the strands and their connecting regions. General patterns in the fold of β-sheet structures emerge. The importance of the results for the prediction of the tertiary structure of β-pleated sheets is discussed.