motif

motif

for proteins a three-dimensional structural unit formed by a particular sequence of amino acids, found in proteins and which is often linked with a particular function. For nucleic acids a particular, usually short, nucleotide sequence that forms a recognition site usually to which other proteins bind.

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structural m's

in proteins, certain specific orderings of secondary structure that may have a functional role and include ß-a-ß helix-turn-helix, leucine zippers, calcium binding EF hands, zinc fingers and longer orderings that take on a structural domain such as the ß-barrel and the immunoglobulin fold.