Term: quaternary structure
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.Q05004

Definition:
The defined organization of two or more macromolecules with tertiary structure such as a protein that are held together by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals and coulombic forces.

Related Terms:
1) primary structure (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04843).
2) secondary structure (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05530).
3) tertiary structure (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.T06282).

Source: PAC, 1996, 68, 2193. 'Basic terminology of stereochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2216 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122193)

Citation: 'quaternary structure' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.Q05004

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