Protein folding game Foldit functionally remodels enzyme
Baku, March 7 (AZERTAC). Proteins are essential in almost all biological processes. The three-dimensional shape of the protein, which is essential to its function, is determined by protein folding. Foldit, which was initially funded by DARPA, is a game with an online community of 240,000 players that allows non-experts and experts alike to collaborate and solve protein folding puzzles. Solutions to these puzzles are sent to biochemistry researchers to analyze for advances in protein design prediction.
Recent advances from Foldit include identifying the structure of a retroviral protease that causes AIDS in rhesus monkeys and protein inhibitors that block H1N1, a virus responsible for the 1918 pandemic and the 2009 flu pandemic. Through Foldit, the crowd has produced solutions that have evaded scientists for years.
DARPA’s investment in Foldit continues to lead to advances as demonstrated by the latest paper published in Nature ("Increased Diels-Alderase activity through backbone remodeling guided by Foldit players"). The paper describes how players were able to functionally remodel the structure of a catalyst enzyme for Diels-Alder reactions, an important reaction in organic synthesis. The remodeling of the enzyme structure increases catalytic properties by 18 times, demonstrating that Foldit can be used not only for protein design, but also for protein function prediction, a more complex challenge that cannot be solved by automation.
DARPA continues to explore other opportunities where gamification can lead to advancements. The Crowd Sourced Formal Verification (CSFV) program seeks to design games that will allow novices and experts alike to formally verify code in DoD software. By allowing a diverse pool of participants, a game for formal verification would save time and money, allowing more effective software to be deployed with the U.S. warfighter. Those interested in developing games for formal verification have until March 20, 2012 to respond to the CSFV solicitation.
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