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On regularities in the spontaneous formation of structural hierarchies in chiral systems of nonliving and living matter

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Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Physics, Leninskie Gory 1 build. 2, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation

We review a general regularity observed in the spontaneous formation of alternating-sign L—D hierarchies of chiral structures that are initially unbalanced due to homochirality. Mechanical, hydrodynamic, macromolecular, and liquid-crystal systems, as well as proteins and nucleic acids, are considered. Biomacromolecule chirality is related to the presence of the asymmetric carbon atom and, further, to the formation of helical and superhelical intra- and supramolecular structures. Chirality is a physical vehicle that generates stratification and folding in biological macromolecular systems. The hierarchy of alternating-sign chiral structures underlies a periodic molecular biologic cell system.

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Fulltext is also available at DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2018.08.038401
Keywords: chirality, nucleic acids, proteins, hierarchy of structures, folding, molecular machines
PACS: 87.14.G−, 87.15.−v, 87.18.−h (all)
DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2018.08.038401
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2019/4/c/
000472874200003
2-s2.0-85072316118
2019PhyU...62..354T
Citation: Tverdislov V A, Malyshko E V "On regularities in the spontaneous formation of structural hierarchies in chiral systems of nonliving and living matter" Phys. Usp. 62 354–363 (2019)
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Received: 13th, February 2018, revised: 21st, July 2018, 1st, August 2018

Оригинал: Твердислов В А, Малышко Е В «О закономерностях спонтанного формирования структурных иерархий в хиральных системах неживой и живой природы» УФН 189 375–385 (2019); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2018.08.038401

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