Hydrophobic character of amino acid residues in globular proteins (original) (raw)

Nature volume 275, pages 673–674 (1978)Cite this article

Abstract

PREDICTIVE studies on the secondary structure of globular proteins aimed at locating ordered structural segments have provided little information about spatial orientations or even as to whether residues are exposed or buried. However, the physico-chemical properties1 of residues can be used to obtain such information. In particular the hydrophobic character2, is a useful parameter in these studies. The hydrophobic character as defined by the indices given by Tanford3 and Jones4 does not reflect hydrophobic environment within protein structures, but we introduce here a new parameter, the ‘bulk hydrophobic character’ obtained from an analysis of the surrounding hydrophobic environment of amino acid residues in protein crystals. This is a better index of protein hydrophobicity, showing very good correlation with the extent to which residues are buried5 (correlation coefficient r = 0.9) compared with the hydrophobic indices used previously, and it could be used to characterise tertiary structures.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.90 per issue

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lee, B. & Richard, F. M. J. molec. Biol. 55, 379–400 (1971).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  2. Kauzmann, W. Adv. Protein. Chem. 14, 1–63 (1959).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  3. Nozaki, Y. & Tanford, C. J. biol. Chem. 246, 2211–2217 (1971).
    CAS Google Scholar
  4. Jones, David, D. J. theor. Biol. 50, 167–183 (1975).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  5. Chothia, C. H. J. molec. Biol. 105, 1–14 (1976).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  6. Manavalan, P. & Ponnuswamy, P. K. Archs Biochem. Biophys. 184, 476–487 (1977).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  7. Levitt, M. & Chothia, C. H. Nature 261, 552 (1976).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  8. Shrake, A. & Rupley, J. A. J. molec. Biol. 79, 351–372 (1975).
    Article Google Scholar
  9. Manavalan, P., Ponnuswamy, P. K. & Srinivasan, A. R. Biochem. J. 167, 171–182 (1977).
    Article CAS Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Autonomous Postgraduate Centre, University of Madras, Tiruchirapalli, 620 020, Tamilnadu, India
    P. MANAVALAN & P. K. PONNUSWAMY

Authors

  1. P. MANAVALAN
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. P. K. PONNUSWAMY
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

MANAVALAN, P., PONNUSWAMY, P. Hydrophobic character of amino acid residues in globular proteins.Nature 275, 673–674 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/275673a0

Download citation

This article is cited by