title: Computational Design of a DNA- and Fc-Binding Fusion Protein.
abstract: Computational design of novel proteins with well-defined functions is an ongoing topic in computational biology. In this work, we generated and optimized a new synthetic fusion protein using an evolutionary approach. The optimization was guided by directed evolution based on hydrophobicity scores, molecular weight, and secondary structure predictions. Several methods were used to refine the models built from the resulting sequences. We have successfully combined two unrelated naturally occurring binding sites, the immunoglobin Fc-binding site of the Z domain and the DNA-binding motif of MyoD bHLH, into a novel stable protein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioinformatics, Center for Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstra β e 1-5, 45117 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Armano
authors.forename: J Nikolaj
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Dybowski
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ledda
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heider