Foldit

1230: Disordered Electron Density: Round 2

Closed since almost 10 years ago

Advanced Overall Prediction Electron Density

Summary

Created: May 06, 2016
Expires: May 13, 2016 at 23:00 UTC
Max points: 100

Description

This is a followup to Puzzle 1221. The density is now displayed at a slightly lower resolution, but the puzzle should be much more responsive. In addition, we've amended the score function so that helices do not score quite as well—there is some evidence that the substrate protein does not favor helices when bound to the binder protein. Players may load solutions from Puzzle 1221.

This electron density puzzle features two proteins: the first is a large well-ordered helical protein that is mostly frozen in place. This binder protein has two flexible loops that bind a second, mostly disordered, substrate protein. The substrate protein is provided here as an extended chain, and is completely flexible. We know that the substrate protein is bound to the binder protein somewhere in this crystal structure. But it seems that the substrate is able to adopt several different shapes, making the electron density very difficult to interpret. We’re asking Foldit players to help us find the ways that the substrate protein can bind to the binder protein! Fold up the extended chain and dock it next to the flexible loops of the binder to improve your score!