title: Recent advances in computational protein design.
abstract: Proteins are the molecules cells primarily rely on for catalysis, recognition, signaling, defense, locomotion, and structural integrity. Engineering proteins for improved function or new applications is a fast-growing segment of biotechnology and biomedicine. Experimental efforts based on the screening of large mutant libraries have led to many successes but they do not provide quantitative design principles and/or insight into the structural features that underpin the desired function. The computational de novo design of proteins promises to bridge this gap; however, it requires reliable structure prediction, provisions for protein stability, and accurate descriptions of inter-molecule interactions. Studies that successfully meet all these criteria are beginning to emerge including the design of an O(2)-binding protein and a novel enzyme that catalyzes a Diels-Alder reaction.
authors: The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 112 Fenske Lab, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors: Robert J
authors: RJ
authors: Pantazes
authors: Matthew J
authors: MJ
authors: Grisewood
authors: Costas D
authors: CD
authors: Maranas