The φ and ψ values of a 310-helix is composed of all D. amino acids will mainly occupy which quadrant in the Ramachandran plot?
(1) upper left
(2) upper right
(3) lower left
(4) lower right
For a typical 310-helix composed of L-amino acids, the dihedral angles are approximately:
- φ ≈ –49°
- ψ ≈ –26°
These values place the helix in the lower left quadrant of the Ramachandran plot (where both φ and ψ are negative).
For D-amino acids, the backbone dihedral angles are the mirror images of those in L-amino acids. This means that for a 310-helix composed of all D-amino acids, the φ and ψ values would be approximately:
- φ ≈ +49°
- ψ ≈ +26°
These positive angles place the 310-helix in the upper right quadrant of the Ramachandran plot.
Thus, the correct answer is:
(2) upper right.