A general shape equation for local regular structure of biomolecular chains

Abstract

A general shape equation for the local regular structure of biomolecular chains at the equilibrium state is established. It predicts a general relationship between the structural curvature and torsion, which only concerns about the elastic property of the molecular chain, and is independent of variable conformations of real biomolecules. Solutions corresponding to α-helix and β-hairpin in proteins, helical DNA, as well as spiral molecules are discussed, which show a fairly well agreement with experimental data.