Proteins, like DNA, often adopt a coiled-like structure, known as an a-helix. This helical structure is stabilized by the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the backbone amino group of one amino acid and the C=O group of another amino acid a bit further down the chain. The amino acid proline is often referred to as a “helix breaker” because when it is part of a protein molecule, the α-helix begins to unravel at its position. What is so different about this particular amino acid that would cause this disruption of the helix structure and earn it that name?

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