Foldit Puzzles

2647: Revisiting Puzzle 146: Rosetta Decoy 9

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This protein is a phosphatase that participates in several metabolic pathways; the starting structure is a model produced by Rosetta. We are revisiting old Foldit puzzles so we can see how useful the recent additions to the game have been and to provide newer players with problems that are scientifically relevant.

2646: NaV1.7 Round 2

NaV1.7 is a voltage-gated sodium channel that plays a key role in the generation and propagation of action potentials, especially in neurons involved in pain signaling. Genetic studies have revealed that loss-of-function mutations in NaV1.7 can result in congenital insensitivity to pain, while gain-of-function mutations are associated with severe, painful disorders. This makes NaV1.7 a promising therapeutic target for the development of non-addictive painkillers—a much-needed alternative to current opioid-based treatments.

2645: Electron Density Reconstruction 130

The structure of this protein has already been solved and published, but close inspection suggests that there are some problems with the published solution. We'd like to see if Foldit players can use the same electron density data to reconstruct a better model. This protein has two identical chains, but the visible residues are not identical.

2644: Revisiting Puzzle 144: Rosetta Decoy 8

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. The function of this thermophilic protein is unknown, but it is unusual among intracellular proteins in that the native structure includes disulfide bonds. This protein contains six cysteine residues that are oxidized to form three disulfide bonds. We are revisiting old Foldit puzzles so we can see how useful the recent additions to the game have been.

2643: NaV1.7 Round 1

NaV1.7 is a voltage-gated sodium channel that plays a key role in the generation and propagation of action potentials, especially in neurons involved in pain signaling. Genetic studies have revealed that loss-of-function mutations in NaV1.7 can result in congenital insensitivity to pain, while gain-of-function mutations are associated with severe, painful disorders. This makes NaV1.7 a promising therapeutic target for the development of non-addictive painkillers—a much-needed alternative to current opioid-based treatments.

2642: Electron Density Reconstruction 129

The structure of this protein has already been solved and published, but close inspection suggests that there are some problems with the published solution. We'd like to see if Foldit players can use the same electron density data to reconstruct a better model.

2641: Revisiting Puzzle 143: Rosetta Decoy 7

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This enzyme helps to regenerate a cofactor that is necessary for nucleic acid synthesis; the starting structure is a model produced by Rosetta. This protein contains only one cysteine, so no disulfide bonds are expected. We are revisiting old Foldit puzzles so we can see how useful the recent additions to the game have been.

2640: KCNT2 Round 10

KCNT2 is a sodium‑activated potassium channel that helps neurons reset after firing, keeping brain activity in check. Mutations in the KCNT2 gene can disrupt this balance and are linked to severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) and related seizure disorders.

2639: Electron Density Reconstruction 128

The structure of this protein has already been solved and published, but close inspection suggests that there are some problems with the published solution. We'd like to see if Foldit players can use the same electron density data to reconstruct a better model. It's a large puzzle so the Trim tool is highly recommended.

2638: Revisiting Puzzle 142: Rosetta Decoy 6

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This protein was evolved in vitro to bind testosterone; the starting structure is a model produced by Rosetta. This protein contains two cysteine residues, which oxidize to form a single disulfide bond. We are revisiting old Foldit puzzles so we can see how useful the recent additions to the game have been and to provide newer players with problems that are still scientifically relevant.