N cap


The term N cap describes an amino acid in a particular position within a protein or polypeptide. The N cap residue of an alpha helix is the first amino acid residue at the N terminus of the helix. More precisely, it is defined as the first residue whose CO group is hydrogen-bonded to the NH group of residue i+4. Because of this it is sometimes also described as the residue prior to the helix.
Capping motifs are those often found at the N cap. Asx turns, ST turns, asx motifs and ST turns are often found at such situations, with the asx or serine or threonine residue at the N cap.
The C cap is the corresponding amino acid residue at the other end of the helix