Foldit Puzzles

2122: Revisiting Puzzle 125: Ice Binding Protein

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This protein is found in cold water fishes; it binds and prevents the growth of ice crystals. 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.

2121: Symmetric Tetramer Design with AlphaFold Predictions

Design a symmetric protein tetramer, with 4 identical chains of 90 residues each! This puzzle enables AlphaFold predictions for the monomer subunit of your design, so you can upload your solution for AlphaFold using the AlphaFold prediction tool. AlphaFold will predict the structure of your monomer subunit only (i.e. in the unbound state, in the absence of other symmetric copies). If you load this prediction, then Foldit will attempt to align the prediction with your solution. If you continue working off of the AlphaFold prediction, you may need to make adjustments at the interface where the monomer subunit interacts with symmetric copies.

2120: Electron Density Reconstruction 6

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. In addition to the protein chain, puzzle includes a glutathione ligand that is fixed in place.

2119: Revisiting Puzzle 124: PDZ Domain

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This domain is a component of many proteins involved in cell signaling. The protein is modeled here in reduced form, so no disulfides are expected to form. 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.

2118: TGF Receptor Binder Design: Round 16

Design a protein that can bind to the TGF-beta receptor! This puzzle has a reduced BUNS penalty so that players can focus on other Objectives--but don't forget about BUNS completely! AlphaFold predictions are available for your designed binder. Once you've designed a binder for the target, upload your solution for AlphaFold using the AlphaFold prediction tool. AlphaFold will predict the structure of your binder chain only (i.e. in the unbound state, in the absence of the target). If you load this prediction, then Foldit will attempt to align the prediction with your solution (i.e. in the bound state, making an interface with the target). If you continue working off of the AlphaFold prediction, you may need to make adjustments at the interface where the binder interacts with the target.

2117: Symmetric Tetramer Design with AlphaFold Predictions

Design a symmetric protein tetramer, with 4 identical chains of 70 residues each! This puzzle enables AlphaFold predictions for the monomer subunit of your design, so you can upload your solution for AlphaFold using the AlphaFold prediction tool. AlphaFold will predict the structure of your monomer subunit only (i.e. in the unbound state, in the absence of other symmetric copies). If you load this prediction, then Foldit will attempt to align the prediction with your solution. If you continue working off of the AlphaFold prediction, you may need to make adjustments at the interface where the monomer subunit interacts with symmetric copies.

2116: Revisiting Puzzle 117: Transport Mutant

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This small protein participates in electron transfer reactions in the cell. The protein is modeled here in reduced form, so no disulfides are expected to form. 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.

2115: CD22 Binder Design: Round 2

Design a protein that can bind to CD22! This puzzle has a reduced BUNS penalty so that players can focus on other Objectives--but don't forget about BUNS completely! This puzzle enables AlphaFold predictions for your designed binder. Once you've designed a binder for the target, upload your solution for AlphaFold using the AlphaFold prediction tool. AlphaFold will predict the structure of your binder chain only (i.e. in the unbound state, in the absence of the target). If you load this prediction, then Foldit will attempt to align the prediction with your solution (i.e. in the bound state, making an interface with the target). If you continue working off of the AlphaFold prediction, you may need to make adjustments at the interface where the binder interacts with the target.

2114: Electron Density Reconstruction 5

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. In addition to the protein chain, puzzle includes a glutathione ligand that is fixed in place.

2113: Revisiting Puzzle 115: Exocyst

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This protein is involved in the process of exocytosis, transporting proteins to the cell membrane or extracellular areas. The protein is modeled here in reduced form, so no disulfides are expected to form. 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.