Protein 3D Structure Visualization & Structural Bioinformatics
Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University (Japan), May 19-May 27, 2008

Schedule of Times and Rooms
Lead Instructor: Professor Eric Martz
(Author of FirstGlance in Jmol and Protein Explorer - Prof. Emeritus, Univ. Mass. Amherst; emartz@microbio.umass.edu)
Organizer and Co-Instructor: Professor Keiichi Namba.
Co-Instructors Katsumi Imada and Shigehiro Nagashima.
Teaching assistants Yuki Kikuchi, Masamichi Ashihara, and Tatsuya Ibuki.
Thanks to Kana Moriya for arrangements.
This document is on-line at   workshops.molviz.org

Goals: This course will prepare students to understand and incorporate 3D macromolecular structure into their research and teaching. The principles of protein structure will be reviewed, including noncovalent bonds. Structural bioinformatics and genomics will be introduced. Students will learn what percentage of proteins have known 3D structures, and the importance of crystallographic models compared to homology or theoretical models.

In the computer laboratory, students will learn how to find 3D protein molecular models for proteins in their research, and how to use the FirstGlance in Jmol molecular visualization software (adopted by Nature) to investigate key structural features. 		Protein structure will be related to function, evolutionary conservation and multiple-sequence alignments, and drug design. Specific oligomers will be constructed automatically by quaternary structure servers, and visualized. Students will learn how to prepare customized publication-quality molecular images, animations for Powerpoint slides, and online molecular scenes in the Proteopedia.Org wiki. Students will be challenged with molecular structure problems, and each student will prepare Powerpoint slides capturing examples of the skills they have learned. All the software is web browser-based, easy to use, works on Windows or Macintoshes, requires no installation, is free and open-source, and should be available for years to come.


Day 1, Afternoon 13:00-16:10, Monday May 19. Nanobiology Seminar Room 3F.
    Bioinformatics Tools, by Katsumi Imada.


Day 2, Morning 10:30-12:00, Tuesday May 20. Nanobiology Seminar Room 3F.
    Review of Protein Chemistry and Structure.
    Introduction to Structural Bioinformatics.

  1. Central Dogma: DNA mRNA Protein.     DNA structure in Jmol
  2. 20 Amino acids
    • Codon = 3 nucleotides; 4 nucleotides3 = 64 codons.
  3. Polypeptide chain geometry and steric restrictions
  4. Covalent and non-covalent chemical bonds
    Typical hydrogen bond within a protein: hydrogen donor atom is covalently bonded to hydrogen; acceptor atom is not. More..
    • Covalent bonds: lengths and angles nearly constant
    • Non-covalent bonds: variable lengths and angles
      • Salt bridges (up to 4.0 Å in proteins)
      • Hydrogen bonds (2.5-3.5 Å in proteins)
      • Cation-pi orbital interactions (up to 6.0 Å in proteins)
      • van der Waals interactions (up to 4.5 Å in proteins)
  5. Secondary Structure
  6. Folding: hydrophobic collapse
  7. Protein folds cannot be reliably predicted from sequence alone (using ab initio theory).

  8. Introduction to Structural Bioinformatics
    • Why do we care about 3D macromolecular structure?
    • What are 3D structure data?
    • Where do 3D structure data come from?
    • How much 3D structure knowledge do we have?
    • Primary and Derived 3D Structure Databases

Day 2, Afternoon 13:00-17:50, Tuesday May 20. Computer Lab, GSE Common 2F.
    Proteopedia and FirstGlance in Jmol for exploring any macromolecule.
    Finding published molecules of interest.
    Begin Powerpoint Slides.
    In the computer laboratory, please work in Windows XP (virtual machine under linux) so that you can put screenshots into Powerpoint.

  1. Primary vs. Derived 3D Macromolecular Structure Databases: The Protein Data Bank (PDB)

  2. Protein Data Bank identification codes -- PDB code examples:
    • 1pgb a small protein domain, one chain.
    • 1hho two protein chains with ligands.
    • 1d66 protein and DNA.

    After displaying many times, the molecule might not display. To correct this, please close/quit your browser, and then start a new browser session. This clears java memory, which is the problem.

  3. Proteopedia.Org (Part I).
    1. Main page: green links, ligands, functional sites.
    2. Has a page for every PDB entry, showing it in Jmol.
    3. 1pgb, 1hho, 1d66: Title, Abstract, Publication.
    4. Resolution in Ångstroms:
      • 1.2 Å Excellent -- backbone and most sidechains very clear. Some hydrogens resolved.
      • 2.5 Å Good -- backbone and many sidechains clear.
      • 3.5 Å OK -- backbone and bulky sidechains mostly clear.
      • 5.0 Å Poor -- backbone mostly clear; sidechains not clear.
      • See the movie.
    5. Identify by touching (shows a "hovering" report).
    6. Jmol "alone": limitations of Jmol's menu & console.

    FirstGlance in Jmol (Part I).
  4. Go to 1pgb in Proteopedia, then click on FirstGlance. Try these controls:
    1. Introduction
    2. and
    3. Top 2 rows of views
      1. Hydrophobic core
      2. Challenge: hydrophobic/polar -- 1bl8
      3. Orientations of Proteins in Membranes.
    4. Vines
    5. Buttons
    6. Center Atom
    7. Reset

  5. Two versions of FirstGlance in Jmol:
    • Version 1.02, old but solid, at firstglance.jmol.org. Used by Nature and others.
    • Version >=1.39 (Beta), newer but has some bugs; documentation and help not updated. Used by Proteopedia and ConSurf.
    • The two versions are very similar.

  6. Go to 1hho in Proteopedia, then click on FirstGlance. Explore these features:
    1. Ligands button
    2. for full names of ligands. (Easier in Proteopedia!)
    3. Hide
    4. Find (explain the distributions of gly, pro, ala, glu, phe, viewed one at a time)

  7. Finding published molecules of interest:
    Each student: please find the PDB code of a molecule related to your research or interests.
      Recommended Characterstics
    1. X-ray crystal structure with good resolution <= 3.0 Ångstroms.
    2. Published in a good journal (Nature, Science, Cell, Biochem., Biochem. J. EMBO J., Eur. J. Biochem., J. Biol. Chem., J. Mol. Biol, Nature Struct. & Mol. Biol., Nucl. Acids Res., Public Lib. Sci., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., Proteins, Protein Sci., Structure ).
    3. Ligand(s) present.

      Browsing
    4. Atlas of MacroMolecules (atlas.proteinexplorer.org)
    5. Molecule of the Month
    6. PDB at a Glance

      Searching
    7. PDBLite.org   Simple, one-slot search. Clear help.
    8. OCA   Powerful and straightforward.
    9. PDB-Japan XML-Search   Straightforward.
    10. Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics (RCSB, USA), part of the World Wide Protein Data Bank (wwpdb.org):
      • One-slot search at main page, pdb.org.
      • Or click Advanced Search at pdb.org   Very powerful but difficult to use; help is often inadequate.

  8. Begin your Powerpoint Slides (Later, you will email them to Prof. Martz)

Day 3, Morning 10:30-12:00, Wednesday May 21. Nanobiology Seminar Room 3F.
    Introduction to Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA) and Conservation
    ConSurf Server
    Structure of Atomic Coordinate ("PDB") Files
  1. Evolutionary conservation from multiple protein sequence alignments.
    1. MSA for 4ENL in black and white (printed handout).
    2. Detail of MSA with color

  2. Identifying Functional Sites & Seeing Protein Evolution:
    1. ConSurf Mechanism.
    2. ConSurf results for 4ENL 50 sequences, 200 sequences, (enolase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae).
    3. ConSurf result from influenza hemagglutinin (in ConSurf GALLERY).
    4. ConSurf Server for Job Submission:   consurf.tau.ac.il
      • ConSurf is under "More Views.." in FirstGlance in Jmol.

  3. Atomic Coordinate Files
    • Formats
      • Crystallographers: "PDB format" (Human-readable; based on 1970's system that used 1928-design paper punch cards)
      • Protein Data Bank: mmCIF (macromolecular crystallographic information format)
      • US National Center for Biotechnology Information: ASN1
    • Structure of PDB Files: What are 3D structure data?
    • Examine PDB file for 4phv at pdb.org

Day 3, Afternoon, 13:00-17:50 Wednesday May 21. Computer Lab, GSE Common 2F.
    Evolutionary Conservation with ConSurf
    Authoring Molecular Scenes in Proteopedia
    Publication-Quality Images & Animations for Powerpoint
    As you complete each section today, record your results in your Powerpoint Slides.

  1. ConSurf: Submit your molecule to the ConSurf Server:   consurf.tau.ac.il
    (ConSurf is linked under More Views.. in FirstGlance in Jmol).
    1. Bookmark your ConSurf results page.
    2. Using FirstGlance in Jmol: prepare the required snapshot of your results for your Powerpoint slide (Instructions).

    FirstGlance in Jmol (Part II).
  2. Noncovalent bonds (with 1hho): Contacts to HEM
    • Selecting a target (HEM).
    • Four views of noncovalent interactions.
    • Showing subsets of 7 kinds of noncovalent interactions.
    • Measuring interatomic distances.
  3. Specific Oligomers:
    • "Biological Units" vs. Asymmetric Units at the Protein Data Bank (using REMARK 350).
    • Introduction and Examples for the Probable Quaternary Structure Server.
    • button in FirstGlance: Probable Quaternary Structure Server.
  4. Charge:
    • 1d66.
    • Challenge: how can protein charge be changed in seconds, without changing the pH?     .
    • Calculate the isoelectric point (pI) and charge at pH 7 for one chain of your protein:
      1. Show your PDB code in Proteopedia, and click on OCA.
      2. At your PDB code in OCA, scroll down to Sequence-derived information (near the bottom).
      3. Click on the link for the one-letter amino acid sequence for one chain.
      4. Copy the sequence and paste it into the large box at the Protein Calculator.
      5. Check the three boxes under Charge at the right, and click Submit Query.

  5. Author two scenes in Proteopedia.Org (Part II):
    1. See the help and movies under Want to Contribute? at the Main Page of Proteopedia.

    2. Login as "student".
    3. Go to (or create) the page Sandbox NN, where NN is the number assigned to you. For example, if you are assigned number 12, go to the page titled Sandbox 12.
    4. Click the tab, at the top, edit this page.
    5. Delete anything you did not put in this page.

    6. Click the 3D button (above the box) to insert a Jmol.
    7. Put your PDB code in the load parameter of the applet tag.
    8. Save the page (click Save page twice). You should see your molecule.

    9. Edit again, and show the Scene authoring tools.
    10. Use the load molecule tab to load your PDB code.
    11. Customize your scene: select, represent (display), color, label as you wish.
    12. Option: If you wish, you may copy a scene from FirstGlance into Proteopedia: Instructions.
    13. Use the save scene tab to save your scene.
    14. Paste the scene tag into the box above (the page text).
    15. Save the page (click Save page twice).

    16. Try the green link you made.
    17. Put a snapshot into a Powerpoint slide.
    18. Create a second scene and green link for your second Proteopedia Powerpoint slide.

    19. If you would like to start contributing permanent content to Proteopedia, please apply for an account and password: click on request account.

  6. Continue preparing your Powerpoint Slides 7-9 and 13-15.

Day 4, Morning 10:30-12:00, Thursday May 22. Nanobiology Seminar Room 3F.
    FirstGlance in Jmol -- Part III
        Salt Bridges & Cation-Pi Orbital Interactions
        Color by Undertainty ("Temperature")
        Gaps in the Model due to Disorder
    Intrinsically Unstructured Proteins
  1. If you would like to start contributing permanent content to Proteopedia, please apply for an account and password: click on request account.

    FirstGlance in Jmol (Part III)
  2. Under More Views:
    • Non-standard amino acids: under More Views. Example 1BKX.
    • Cation-pi interactions and salt bridges (1AXI, 1M4U PQS for inter-chain)
    • Distances
    • Color by uncertainty:   Thermal vs. static disorder ("temperature").
  3. Missing amino acids: No coordinates in the model due to disorder in the crystal. Example: 2ACE.

  4. Intrinsicially Unstructured / Natively Disordered Proteins
      About 10% of proteins are thought to be fully disordered to support their functions, and 40% of eukaryotic proteins have at least one long disordered region. Examples.

  5. Before midnight Saturday May 24, please email the Powerpoint slides that you have completed to emartz AT microbio DOT umass DOT edu. You can email the ones you have not yet completed after the end of the course.

Day 4, Afternoon 14:40-17:50, Thursday June 22. Nanobiology Seminar Room 3F.
    Mr. Suwa, Life Science Library


Day 5, Morning 10:30-12:00, Tuesday May 27. Nanobiology Seminar Room 3F.
    Flagellar Assembly
    Structural Bioinformatics and Genomics.
    Homology (Comparative) Modeling
    Assessing Model Quality
  1. Introduction to bacterial flagellar assembly:

  2. Structural Genomics: Worldwide Protein 3D Structure Knowledge
    1. How are 3D macromolecular structures obtained? Crystallography, NMR, and homology modeling.
    2. What fraction of the human proteome has known structure? A few percent.
    3. Is Structural Genomics the answer? Not in the next few years.
    4. Intrinsicially unstructured proteins (see Day 4, Morning)

  3. Modeling vs. Visualization

  4. Homology (comparative) modeling: Introduction.
    1. Automated homology modeling: submit sequences to Swiss-Model (click on First Approach Mode).

  5. Model Quality: X-ray > NMR >> homology modeling >> ab initio theoretical modeling.
      X-ray crystallographic models:
    • Resolution is very important.
    • R value measures disagreement between model and data. Should be <0.20, and not greater than Resolution/10.
    • Free R tests for major errors. Should be <(R + 0.05). Most important!
    • The above are averages. Examine the temperature for local quality variation (in FirstGlance under More Views..).
    • Nothing as informative as the above are readily available to assess quality of NMR, homology, or theoretical models.

Day 5, Afternoon, 13:00-17:50 Tuesday May 27. Computer Lab, GSE Common 2F.
    Challenges
    Publication Quality Images and Animations with Polyview-3D
    Finishing Powerpoint Slides
 
  1. Challenges. Today we will spend some time answering questions ("challenges") about structures. (The challenge questions will be given during class. They are not on-line.)
    Animation from Polyview-3D.
    Click on the above image for
    a larger view and explanation.


  2. Generate publication quality images easily with Polyview-3D.
    1. PyMol: popular with crystallographers. Beautiful views but not user friendly.
    2. Example (at right): 1d66 with Gal4's recognition of the CGG sequence in the DNA
    3. Demonstration of how to use Polyview-3D for customized scenes. highlighted.
    4. Create a static ("single image") scene of your molecule, size 500 pixels.
    5. Create a small (300 pixel) rotating view of your molecule, and paste it into a Powerpoint slide. Limit rotation to 30 degrees in 2 degree steps!

  3. You are now prepared to finish your Powerpoint Slides. Please email the completed PPT file to emartz AT microbio DOT umass DOT edu.

Additional Resources.
    Probably we will not have time in class to spend on these resources. Links are provided here in case you are interested to look at these later.
  1. Save any molecule you see! (as a PDB file)
    • Jmol: click on Jmol, then top item on menu, then bottom item on submenu.
    • Upload saved molecule (PDB file) to firstglance.jmol.org

  2. Example: Gramicidin in a lipid bilayer: bilagram.pdb
    • Toggle water, ligands. (These views can be done in FirstGlance in Jmol.)
    • Display protein as ball and stick, color by Polarity 2 and 3.

  3. Jmol in Scientific Journals
    1. FirstGlance in Jmol: Nature Structural and Molecular Biology
    2. "Jmolized" Journal Figures: ACS Chemical Biology
    3. Jmolize your own figures: Frieda Reichsman -- MoleculesInMotion.Com

  4. Specific Oligomers vs. Crystal Contacts
  5. Animations & Morphing
    1. Animations in Chime
    2. Morphing conformational changes
      • Lac repressor bending the DNA operon.
    3. Animation of simulated ligand binding (HIV protease inhibitor; protein bending DNA)

    For Teachers and Future Teachers

  6. BioMolecular Explorer 3D (for students ages 15-19). All Jmol!

  7. Bird Flu: N1 vs. Tamiflu Lesson Plan:
    • See links to background, lesson plan, morph animations of induced fit, and a cavity near Tamiflu at Proteopedia: Eric Martz's Favorites

  8. MolviZ.Org now in Jmol
    1. DNA, Hemoglobin, Antibody
    2. Lipid Bilayers and Gramicidin Channel
    3. Collagen
    4. Water & Ice & hydrogen bonding
    5. Toobers in Science Education

  9. World Index of Molecular Visualization Resources   MolVisIndex.org
    1. Hundreds of tutorials indexed by macromolecule (most in Chime, some in Jmol)
    2. Sources of atomic coordinate (PDB) files (metabolites, inorganic crystals, lipid micelles, etc.)
    3. Galleries, Molecular Sculpture and Physical Models, Software

  10. About Protein Structure
  11. Building a web page that shows your favorite molecules for research or teaching.
  12. T shirts and mugs!                  
    (Click images for more information.)

Keep in touch!