Foldit Puzzles

2448: Electron Density Reconstruction 88

The structure of this protein-DNA complex 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 is part 2 of the Watson-Crick vs Hoogsteen question posed in Reconstruction Puzzle 84, now starting with a Watson-Crick base pair. Also, a reminder of the useful note from Bletchley Park for working with DNA: DNA sidechains can be turned relative to their blue arms with bands.

2447: Revisiting Puzzle 165: Rosetta Model 15

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This protein helps to maintain the reduction potential of the cell. The starting structure is a Rosetta model. This protein contains four cysteine residues, but only two of them 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.

2446: Revisiting CCHFV Round 3

The Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a life-threatening zoonotic disease caused by a tick-borne virus. Recent research has revealed the significant role of the viral-encoded Ovarian Tumor (OTU) deubiquitinase in the CCHFV replication process. Based on the most promising compounds, this puzzle will focus on getting an inhibitor for this protein. As the CCHFV-OTU protease interacts with another protein (ubiquitin), the interaction surface is quite large and superficial, making it a challenging binding pocket. For this round we will be focusing on the lower binding pocket. For more details check out the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever blog post.

2445: Electron Density Reconstruction 87

The structure of this protein-DNA complex 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.

2444: Revisiting Puzzle 157: Rosetta Decoy 14

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This domain is part of a T-cell receptor that recognizes pathogens in the body; the starting structure is a Rosetta model. This protein contains two cysteine residues which oxidize to form one 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.

2443: Revisiting CCHFV Round 2

The Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a life-threatening zoonotic disease caused by a tick-borne virus. Recent research has revealed the significant role of the viral-encoded Ovarian Tumor (OTU) deubiquitinase in the CCHFV replication process. Based on the most promising compounds, this puzzle will focus on getting an inhibitor for this protein. As the CCHFV-OTU protease interacts with another protein (ubiquitin), the interaction surface is quite large and superficial, making it a challenging binding pocket. For this round we will be focusing on the upper binding pocket. For more details check out the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever blog post.

2442: Electron Density Reconstruction 86 (use trim)

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 is a big structure with several chains, so the trim tool is highly recommended.

2441: Revisiting Puzzle 153: Rosetta Decoy 13

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This pilin protein allows the P. aeruginosa bacterium to adhere to human cells, sometimes resulting in infection. The starting structure is a Rosetta model. This protein contains two cysteine residues which oxidize to form one 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 puzzles that are still scientifically relevant.

2440: Revisiting CCHFV Round 1

The Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a life-threatening zoonotic disease caused by a tick-borne virus. Recent research has revealed the significant role of the viral-encoded Ovarian Tumor (OTU) deubiquitinase in the CCHFV replication process. Based on the most promising compounds, this puzzle will focus on getting an inhibitor for this protein. As the CCHFV-OTU protease interacts with another protein (ubiquitin), the interaction surface is quite large and superficial, making it a challenging binding pocket. For this round we will be focusing on the lower binding pocket. For more details check out the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever blog post.

2439: Electron Density Reconstruction 85 (use trim tool)

This is a structure that's been published previously, but we think it has some issues that need revision. This is a cryo-EM structure of a fibril isolated from a patient with Multiple System Atrophy. Although the structure in general could use work, we're especially suspicious of the positioning of the segment K80. Since it's a fibril, there's several copies of the protein stacked together here, making it a large puzzle, and so the trim tool is highly recommended.