Discovering the Function of an Unknown Protein Using Bioinformatics Tools

Thousands of protein structures in the Protein Database lack assigned functions. Our project aims to analyze a chosen protein to determine whether it is structural or catalytic. If catalytic, we will identify the type of reaction it catalyzes. This bioinformatics-based project will utilize computational tools to analyze protein sequences and structures: Protein Database – Provides protein descriptions, origin, and structural details. BLAST – Identifies proteins with similar sequences to infer potential functions. InterPro – Detects conserved protein domains and classifies protein families. DALI – Compares 3D protein structures for functional insights. FoldSeek – Similar to DALI but uses different algorithms to confirm results. CLEAN – Identifies enzymatic families. Google Slides – Used for compiling and presenting findings. Through this project, we aim to: -Identify and hypothesize the function of unknown proteins. -Gain experience using bioinformatics tools for protein analysis. -Understand the role of structural biology and computational methods in functional annotation. -Explore applications of protein function research in drug discovery, classification, and biology.