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Peroxiredoxins are enzymes that help cells cope with stressors such as high levels of reactive oxygen species. The image shows a decameric peroxiredoxin from human red blood cells (Protein Data Bank entry 1qmv), styled as a holiday wreath. This enzyme is the third most abundant protein in red blood cells, and is thought to interconvert between dimers and decamers. The wreath was inspired in part by the illusion of “bows” (red) when the protein backbone ribbon is viewed from certain angles. The remainder of the ribbon is green, and selected amino acid β-carbons are shown as pink, blue, and yellow decorative balls.
The structure is described more fully in the following:
Crystal structure of decameric 2-Cys peroxiredoxin from human erythrocytes at 1.7 Å resolution. Schröder E, Littlechild JA, Lebedev AA, Errington N, Vagin AA, Isupov MN. Structure. 2000 Jun 15;8(6):605-15.See also the RBVI Holiday Card Gallery.
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