Conformational theory applied to polysaccharide structure

Abstract

Theoretical methods of conformational analysis have been applied to the biopolymers with beneficial consequences for the elucidation of structure–function relationships in these molecules. The methodology of theoretical conformational analysis and the fruits of its application to the biopolymers, particularly the polypeptides, have been the subject of numerous reviews (Ramachandran & Sasisekharan, 1968; Scheraga, 1968; Venkatachalam & Ramachandran, 1969; Scheraga, 1971; Brant, 1972; Hopflnger, 1973). A critical evaluation of these techniques as applied to the polynucleotides has recently appeared (Olson, 1975 a, b).