It is clear that close-packed side chain interactions play a dominant role in stabilizing native proteins, but the extent to which they stabilize kinetic intermediates and shape the energetic ...

To form a disulfide, the side chains of two cysteine amino-acid residues — which can be far apart along the protein chain — must come close together in space.

These new bonds were only discovered in 2016, and are formed when the end of a lysine side-chain is linked to the end of a cysteine side-chain with an oxygen atom linking them together. The NOS ...

These new bonds were only discovered in 2016, and are formed when the end of a lysine side-chain is linked to the end of a cysteine side-chain with an oxygen atom linking them together. The NOS ...

When scientists expose these peptides to a chemical that reacts selectively with the sulfur atoms, the chemical forms a "staple" that connects the two cysteine side chains. Experts believe stapled ...

Stapling the peptides' side chains encourages the peptides to adopt and stay in a helix, which enables them to enter cells more easily. The helical conformation also makes it more difficult for ...

Proteins are made of amino acid chains, or polypeptides. Amino acids have a basic backbone made of an amino group and a carboxyl group, and differ in their side-chains.