Example III
(cont.): Proposed Explanation of Surface-Induced Orientation of beta-Sheets on
Graphite
We
propose that the orientation of fully extended peptide chains in contact with graphite is
driven by the hydrophobic interaction. (Notice
that the alignment of peptide chains along most densely occupied carbon rows minimizes their exposure to water.)
Our studies suggest that surface
interactions may trigger
conformational changes in proteins, leading to formation of b-sheet rich structures. This general mechanism may be involved in a whole range of conformational diseases.
