The alpha-helical coiled coil is one of the principal subunit oligomerization motifs in proteins. Its most characteristic feature is a heptad repeat pattern of primarily apolar residues that constitute the oligomer interface.
Despite its simplicity, it is a highly versatile folding motif: coiled-coil-containing proteins exhibit a broad range of different functions related to the specific ’design’ of their coiled-coil domains.
The architecture of a particular coiled-coil domain determines its oligomerization state, rigidity and ability to function as a molecular recognition system. Much progress has been made towards understanding the factors that determine
Features
coiled-coil formation
coiled-coil stability
protein folding
protein oligomerization
References
Burkhard P, Stetefeld J, Strelkov SV. Coiled coils: a highly versatile protein folding motif. Trends Cell Biol. 2001 Feb;11(2):82-8. PMID: 11166216