Letter from Linus Pauling to Walter J. Moore. October 30, 1952. Page 1  Larger Images / More Information. 1 p.  View Transcript

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Activity Listings

• Letter from Barbara Low, Harvard University, to LP RE: Discusses technical aspects of the alpha, gamma, and pi-helixes regarding a protein structure chapter she is writing for a book. [Reply from LP to Low November 10, 1952]. [Filed under LP Science: Box 9.001, Folder 1.10].
• Letter from LP to Dr. Walter J. Moore. [Letter from W.J. Moore to LP November 3, 1952] [Filed under LP Correspondence: Box #248, Folder #14: file (Moore, Walter J., Jr.)]

  30 October 1952

  Dr. Walter J. Moore

  University of Indiana

  Bloomington, Indiana

  Dear Dr. Moore:

  I was interested to see your paper in the last JACS, on the absorption of ammonia by silk fibroin.

  I was especially interested to read your statement that there is increasingly strong evidence that the structure of silk fibroin can be represented by the 3.7-residue helix.

  I should like to know what the evidence is that you have in mind. The X-ray diagram indicates rather strongly that the structure is a pleated-sheet structure. It is true that silk fibroin can be put into solution, and it is probable that the molecules in this form are α helixes. I judge, however, from what you say in your paper that your sample was not soluble fibroin, but the ordinary fibrous fibroin.

  I may say that Professor Corey and I are pretty well convinced by the evidence that most proteins can be represented by the α helix - in particular, all the globular proteins that have been investigated so far seem to contain α helixes as their principal structural feature, and in addition, of course, the proteins of the α-keratin type have this structure; but silk fibroin, in the fibrous form, is, we believe, an exception.

  I hope that you are getting along well in your new job.

  Sincerely yours,

  Linus Pauling:jb

• Letter from LP to Herman von Schelling RE: writes in response to Dr. von Schelling's letter that he will give him a fuller comment on his work involving crystal structures after he can consult with Profs. Bergman and Shoemaker. [copies of letters from Dr. H. von Schelling to Profs. Bergman and Shoemaker included] [Letter from Dr. H. von Schelling to LP August 28, 1952, letter from LP to Dr. Herman von Shelling November 4, 1952] [Filed under LP Correspondence: Box #425, Folder #8 (Von Schelling, Hermann)].
• Letter from LP to Leslie E. Sutton of Magdalen College, Oxford RE: in response to Dr. Sutton's letter, writes that the idea to include only values from molecular crystals in his list of interatomic distances is a good one. Does not know whether his former pupil, Dr. Orgel, will have a chance for an appointment at Caltech. [Letter from Dr. Sutton to LP October 20, 1952] [Filed under LP Correspondence: Box #370, Folder #8. : File (Sutton, Leslie E.)].
• Letter from LP to Mr. Chen Park Kuen RE: Responds to Mr. Kuen's request for advice about how to illustrate representations of molecular structure. Points out that the main problem in doing this is knowing what the molecular structure is through spectroscopic studies or x-ray diffraction. [Note from Mr. Kuen to LP October 22, 1952] [Filed under K: Correspondence 1952, Box #200, Folder #17]
• Letter from LP to Mr. M. Pacca RE: writes to report that he heard from the post office in Berkeley that a letter from Mr. Pacca was sent to him there, but that he is currently living in Pasadena, 400 miles away. [statement concerning the mis-mailed letter to LP included] [Filed under: LP Correspondence: Box #312, Folder #17].
• Letter from N. A. Sorensen to LP RE: writes that Dr. Bastiansen has sent him the two letters and the monograph on glomerular nephritis in regards to the case of their mutual acquaintance, Dr. Finbak. Goes on to describe Dr. Finbak's situation and to describe his treatments. [Letter of reply from LP to Prof. N. A. Sorensen November 28, 1952]. [Filed under F: Correspondence 1952, Box #128, Folder #17]
• Memo from LP to Mr. George Rigsby RE: writes that he read his article on crystal fabric studies on Emmons glacier and goes on to comment on it. [Note from Mr. Rigsby to LP January 24, 1952, memo of response from Mr. George Rigsby to LP November 6, 1952] [Filed under LP Correspondence: Box #340, Folder #17].
• Phone message: please call Dr. DuMond [Filed under LP Travel: Box #1.001, Folder 1.10]