Foldit Puzzles

2687: Electron Density Reconstruction 144

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. There are four of the same protein chains in this model, but there's several segments missing on each. Even with those residues it's a very large puzzle and so the trim tool will be needed.

2686: Revisiting Puzzle 59: TCR Binding Protein

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This small, intracellular domain binds to the CD2 T cell receptor (TCR), and plays a critical role in T cell activation during the immune response. We are revisiting old Foldit puzzles so we can see how useful the recent additions to the game have been.

2685: Revisiting CCHFV Round 8

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.

2684: Electron Density Reconstruction 143

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.

2683: Revisiting Puzzle 58: Insulin Mutant

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. These are the two chains of a bio-engineered variant of human insulin, which contains six cysteine residues that oxidize 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 and to provide newer players with problems that are still scientifically relevant.

2682: Revisiting CCHFV Round 7

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.

2681: Electron Density Reconstruction 142

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 puzzle has a large protein, and a small bit of DNA, and the Trim tool is highly recommended.

2680: Revisiting Puzzle 57: Beta-Neurotoxin

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This scorpion toxin is similar to the one from Puzzle 55, and binds to voltage-gated ion channels of insects. The protein contains eight cysteine residues that oxidize to form four disulfide bonds. We are revisiting old Foldit puzzles so we can see how useful the recent additions to the game have been.

2679: NaV1.7 Round 9

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.

2678: Electron Density Reconstruction 141

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 puzzle has a large protein, and a small protein.