A simple method for finding a protein's ligand-binding pockets

BMC Struct Biol. 2014 Jul 19:14:18. doi: 10.1186/1472-6807-14-18.

Abstract

Background: This paper provides a simple and rapid method for a protein-clustering strategy. The basic idea implemented here is to use computational geometry methods to predict and characterize ligand-binding pockets of a given protein structure. In addition to geometrical characteristics of the protein structure, we consider some simple biochemical properties that help recognize the best candidates for pockets in a protein's active site.

Results: Our results are shown to produce good agreement with known empirical results.

Conclusions: The method presented in this paper is a low-cost rapid computational method that could be used to classify proteins and other biomolecules, and furthermore could be useful in reducing the cost and time of drug discovery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Computational Biology / economics
  • Computational Biology / methods*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Proteins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Proteins