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ISOLDE: a physically realistic environment for model building into low-resolution electron-density maps.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Croll, Tristan Ian 

Abstract

This paper introduces ISOLDE, a new software package designed to provide an intuitive environment for high-fidelity interactive remodelling/refinement of macromolecular models into electron-density maps. ISOLDE combines interactive molecular-dynamics flexible fitting with modern molecular-graphics visualization and established structural biology libraries to provide an immersive interface wherein the model constantly acts to maintain physically realistic conformations as the user interacts with it by directly tugging atoms with a mouse or haptic interface or applying/removing restraints. In addition, common validation tasks are accelerated and visualized in real time. Using the recently described 3.8 Å resolution cryo-EM structure of the eukaryotic minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase complex as a case study, it is demonstrated how ISOLDE can be used alongside other modern refinement tools to avoid common pitfalls of low-resolution modelling and improve the quality of the final model. A detailed analysis of changes between the initial and final model provides a somewhat sobering insight into the dangers of relying on a small number of validation metrics to judge the quality of a low-resolution model.

Description

Keywords

ISOLDE, model building, molecular dynamics, real-space refinement, visualization, Computer Simulation, Cryoelectron Microscopy, Data Accuracy, Fungal Proteins, Macromolecular Substances, Minichromosome Maintenance Proteins, Models, Molecular, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, Software, Validation Studies as Topic

Journal Title

Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2059-7983
2059-7983

Volume Title

74

Publisher

International Union of Crystallography (IUCr)
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (082961/Z/07/A)
Wellcome Trust (082961/Z/07/Z)