Modeling repetitive, non-globular proteins

Protein Sci. 2016 May;25(5):946-58. doi: 10.1002/pro.2907. Epub 2016 Mar 16.

Abstract

While ab initio modeling of protein structures is not routine, certain types of proteins are more straightforward to model than others. Proteins with short repetitive sequences typically exhibit repetitive structures. These repetitive sequences can be more amenable to modeling if some information is known about the predominant secondary structure or other key features of the protein sequence. We have successfully built models of a number of repetitive structures with novel folds using knowledge of the consensus sequence within the sequence repeat and an understanding of the likely secondary structures that these may adopt. Our methods for achieving this success are reviewed here.

Keywords: Beta-solenoid; antifreeze protein; molecular dynamics; protein modeling; repetitive protein; tandem repeat.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid*

Substances

  • Proteins