A method for the systematic comparison of the three-dimensional structures of proteins and some results

A new rapid method of comparing three-dimensional protein structures using the sequence of dihedral angles is described. Systematic screening of protein structures by this method followed by detailed analysis reveals in particular that the calcium-binding protein carp parvalbumin is similar to cytochrome C2 from Rhodospirillum rubrum, cytochrome C is similar to hen lysozyme, carboxypeptidase A is similar to phage lysozyme. These results are completely unexpected and show interesting correlation with the recently determined intron-exon pattern in the genes coding for some of them.