Non-polar R Groups

Introduction to Protein Structure

Non-polar Amino Acids

The side chains (R groups) of the amino acids can be divided into two major classes, those with non-polar side chains (shown here) and those with polar side chains.

Non polar side chains consist mainly of hydrocarbon. Any functional groups they contain are uncharged at physiological pH and are incapable of participating in hydrogen bonding.

The non-polar amino acids (shown here) include: alanine, cysteine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine.

Name	3 letter code	1 letter code	2-D Structure	3-D Structure
Alanine	Ala	A		C_a: Model:
Cysteine	Cys	C		C_a: Model:
Glycine	Gly	G		C_a: Model:
Isoleucine	Ile	I		C_a: Model:
Leucine	Leu	L		C_a: Model:
Methionine	Met	M		C_a: Model:
Phenylalanine	Phe	F		C_a: Model:
Proline	Pro	P		C_a: Model:
Tryptophan	Trp	W		C_a: Model:
Tyrosine	Tyr	Y		C_a: Model:
Valine	Val	V		C_a: Model: