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Structure of Papain

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Abstract

A three-dimensional X-ray study at a resolution of 2.8 Å has revealed that the single polypeptide chain of 211 residues is folded into two distinct parts which are divided by a cleft. The active site, consisting of a cysteine and a histidine, lies at the surface of the cleft. Apart from four short α-helical segments and one short segment of β-structure, the conformation of the chain is irregular.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorium voor Structuurchemie, The University, Bloemsingel 10, Groningen, The Netherlands

    J. DRENTH, J. N. JANSONIUS, R. KOEKOEK, H. M. SWEN & B. G. WOLTHERS

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  1. J. DRENTH
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  2. J. N. JANSONIUS
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  3. R. KOEKOEK
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  4. H. M. SWEN
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  5. B. G. WOLTHERS
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DRENTH, J., JANSONIUS, J., KOEKOEK, R. et al. Structure of Papain. Nature 218, 929–932 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/218929a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/218929a0

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