Illustration of Protein Structure for Science

Explore an intricate three-dimensional illustration of a protein, rendered with a gradient color scheme that progresses along its polypeptide chain from red to blue, highlighting the sequence from N-terminus to C-terminus. The image clearly displays various secondary structural elements, such as alpha-helices and beta-sheets, forming the complex overall fold. Importantly, a small molecule ligand and a metal ion are shown precisely situated within the protein, emphasizing crucial binding sites often associated with biological activity and drug interactions. Such molecular representations are fundamental tools in scientific research for comprehending protein function and mechanisms.

protein - structure - molecular - biology - biochemistry - scientific