VASCo: computation and visualization of annotated protein surface contacts
2009

VASCo: A Tool for Protein Surface Visualization

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Georg Steinkellner, Robert Rader, Gerhard G. Thallinger, Christoph Kratky, Karl Gruber

Primary Institution: Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz

Hypothesis

The VASCo program aims to enhance the visualization and analysis of protein-protein interactions through annotated surface properties.

Conclusion

VASCo provides a unique feature to compare surfaces of two aligned molecules based on point distances, facilitating the visualization and analysis of surface differences.

Supporting Evidence

  • VASCo integrates various established programs for surface property calculations.
  • The program allows for the visualization of protein-protein contact patches.
  • VASCo can compare molecular surfaces of biomolecules effectively.
  • The tool is designed to be user-friendly and extendable for future developments.

Takeaway

VASCo is a computer program that helps scientists see how proteins interact by showing their surfaces and how they touch each other.

Methodology

VASCo is a Python-based command line tool that calculates protein surface properties and visualizes them using a PyMOL plug-in.

Limitations

The software does not automatically distinguish between biological and crystal contact patches.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2105-10-32

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