---
title: "Alpha helix: research glossary | Sable Peptides"
description: "The alpha helix is a common secondary structure in which the peptide backbone coils into a right-handed spiral with about 3.6 residues per turn, stabilised"
canonical: https://www.sablepeptides.co.uk/glossary/alpha-helix
publisher: Sable Peptides Limited (UK company 17488610)
note: Research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.
---

Glossary

# Alpha helix

The alpha helix is a common secondary structure in which the peptide backbone coils into a right-handed spiral with about 3.6 residues per turn, stabilised by hydrogen bonds between each carbonyl oxygen and the amide hydrogen four residues later. Many bioactive peptides adopt helical conformations when binding targets.

Source: [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_helix)

## Related terms

-   [Peptide](/glossary/peptide)
-   [Secondary structure](/glossary/secondary-structure)

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