Supersecondary structure

A supersecondary structure is a compact three-dimensional protein structure of several adjacent elements of a secondary structure that is smaller than a protein domain or a subunit. Supersecondary structures can act as nucleations in the process of protein folding. Examples include β-hairpins, α-helix hairpins, and β-α-β motifs.

β-sheets (composed of multiple hydrogen-bonded individual β-strands) are sometimes considered a secondary or supersecondary structure.