What is "catgrip"

Catgrips are small cation-binding molecular features of proteins and peptides. Each consists of the main chain atoms only of three consecutive amino acid residues. The first and third main chain CO groups bind the cations, often calcium, potassium or sodium, with no side chain involvement. Some catgrips bind a water molecule instead of a cation; it is hydrogen-bonded to the first and third main chain CO groups. Catgrips are found as calcium-binding features in annexins, matrix metalloproteinases (e.g. serralysins), subtilisins and phospholipase A2. They are also observed in synthetic peptides and in cyclic hexapeptides made from alternating D,L amino acids.

The conformation of a catgrip is such that the CO groups of the first and third amino acid residues are liable to be electrostatically attracted or hydrogen bonded to a positively charged, or partially positively charged, atom or group. Catgrips are defined by the phi,psi main chain dihedral angles of the second and third amino acids in the nest.

If two catgrips overlap such that two successive residues are both residue i of catgrips, a compound catgrip is formed. This has four CO groups instead of three. If three overlap such that three successive residues are residue i of catgrips, a longer catgrip is formed with five CO groups, and so on. Such overlapping motifs may bind two or even three metal ions.

Another tripeptide motif that often binds cations or δ+ groups via main chain CO groups is called the niche (protein structural motif).