Closed since over 6 years ago
Intermediate Overall DesignDesign a protein that binds IL-7R!
Interleukin 7 receptor (IL-7R) is a protein that helps regulate the human immune system, and is an important target in cancer therapy research. In this puzzle, players start with two frozen helices bound to the IL-7R target (also frozen). Players can fold and design about 20 residues flanking the binding helices, with the goal of creating a well-folded protein that can bind the IL-7R target! Players may also redesign residues on the backside of the binding helices, but residues at the IL-7R interface are frozen in place. The most promising designs will have lots of helical and sheet structure with only short loops, and will have a well-packed, buried core. There are several Objectives in place; see the puzzle comments for details.
This is the first puzzle in a series, meant to generate a large diversity of designs that can be tested in a high-throughput binding experiment! Due to time constraints, puzzles in this series will be online for only 4 days at a time. See the blog for more information. Remember, you can use the Upload for Scientists button for up to 5 designs that you want us to look at, even if they are not the best-scoring solutions!
Residue IE Score (max +500)
Monitors that all PHE, TYR, and TRP residues are scoring well.
SS Design (max +250)
Penalizes all CYS residues. Penalizes GLY, ALA, SER, THR in helices. Penalizes GLY, ALA in sheets.
Residue Count (max +275)
Penalizes extra residues inserted beyond 110, at a cost of 55 points per residue. Players may use up to 115 residues in total.
If you look at the objectives when you first start, you'll see that there are two extra segments over the limit of 110. This will deduct 110 points from your score from the beginning. You can delete these two should you desire to.
These are located on the target, and a frozen so you can't change them, but they do not detract from your score.
