Broadening environmental research in the era of accurate protein structure determination and predictions  

作　　者：Mingda Zhou Tong Wang Ke Xu Han Wang Zibin Li Wei-xian Zhang Yayi Wang 

机构地区：[1]State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse,Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security,College of Environmental Science and Engineering,Tongji University,Shanghai 200092,China [2]Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence,Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital,School of Medicine,Tongji University,Shanghai 200434,China

出　　处：《Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering》2024年第7期169-178,共10页环境科学与工程前沿（英文）

基　　金：Financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52225001 and 51978485);the State Key Laboratory for Pollution Control(China)is acknowledged.

摘　　要：The deep-learning protein structure prediction method AlphaFold2 has garnered enormous attention beyond the realm of structural biology,for its groundbreaking contribution to solving the"protein foiding problem"In this perspective,we explore the connection between protein structure studies and environmental research,delving into the potential for addressing specific environmental challenges.Proteins are promising for environmental applications because of the functional diversity endowed by their structural complexity.However,structural studies on proteins with environmental significance remain scarce.Here,we present the opportunity to study proteins by advancing experimental determination and deep-learning prediction methods.Specifically,the latest progress in environmental research via cryogenic electron microscopy is highlighted.It allows us to determine the structure of protein complexes in their native state within cells at molecular resolution,revealing environmentally-associated structural dynamics.With the remarkable advancements in computational power and experimental resolution,the study of protein structure and dynamics has reached unprecedented depth and accuracy.These advancements will undoubtedly accelerate the establishment of comprehensive environmental protein structural and functional databases.Tremendous opportunities for protein engineering exist to enable innovative solutions for environmental applications,such as the degradation of persistent contaminants,and the recovery of valuable metals as well as rare earth elements.

关 键 词：Environmental proteins Protein structure Cryogenic electron microscopy Protein structure prediction Protein engineering Artificial Intelligence 

分 类 号：X-02[环境科学与工程] B561.59[哲学宗教—外国哲学]