A protein with a helical or spiral-shaped structure, particularly one with alpha-helices as major structural components.
From helicopter (spiral) + protein. Combines the prefix helic- (spiral) with protein to describe proteins shaped like helices.
Most proteins in your body contain alpha-helix regions—they twist like spiral staircases—and this helical structure is so important that when it gets damaged (as in diseases like Alzheimer's), the whole protein misfolds and causes disease.
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