DRfold2 is a deep learning-based tool that enables efficient and accurate RNA structure prediction

RNA structures are essential for understanding their biological functions and developing RNA-targeted therapeutics. However, accurate RNA structure prediction from sequence remains a crucial challenge. We introduce DRfold2, a deep learning framework that integrates a novel pre-trained RNA Composite Language Model (RCLM) with a denoising structure module for end-to-end RNA structure prediction. Based solely on single sequence, DRfold2 achieves superior performance in both global topology and secondary structure predictions over other state-of-the-art approaches across multiple benchmark tests from diverse species. Detailed analyses reveal that the improvements primarily stem from the RCLM's ability to capture co-evolutionary pattern and the effective denoising process, with a more than 100% increase in contact prediction precision compared to existing methods. Furthermore, DRfold2 demonstrates high complementarity with AlphaFold3, achieving statistically significant accuracy gains when integrated into our optimization framework. By uniquely combining composite language modeling, denoising-based end-to-end learning, and deep learning-guided post-optimization, DRfold2 establishes a distinct direction for advancing ab initio RNA structure prediction.

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Publication Details

Journal
PLoS Biology
Published
2026-02-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3003659
Primary Topic
RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

DRfold2 is a deep learning-based tool that enables efficient and accurate RNA structure prediction

Duanyu Feng, Sho Tsukiyama, Chenjie Feng, Xi Zhang et al.
PLoS Biology
RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
article

DRfold2 is a deep learning-based tool that enables efficient and accurate RNA structure prediction

Duanyu Feng, Sho Tsukiyama, Chenjie Feng, Xi Zhang, Yang Zhang, Yang Li
article en

Abstract

RNA structures are essential for understanding their biological functions and developing RNA-targeted therapeutics. However, accurate RNA structure prediction from sequence remains a crucial challenge. We introduce DRfold2, a deep learning framework that integrates a novel pre-trained RNA Composite Language Model (RCLM) with a denoising structure module for end-to-end RNA structure prediction. Based solely on single sequence, DRfold2 achieves superior performance in both global topology and secondary structure predictions over other state-of-the-art approaches across multiple benchmark tests from diverse species. Detailed analyses reveal that the improvements primarily stem from the RCLM's ability to capture co-evolutionary pattern and the effective denoising process, with a more than 100% increase in contact prediction precision compared to existing methods. Furthermore, DRfold2 demonstrates high complementarity with AlphaFold3, achieving statistically significant accuracy gains when integrated into our optimization framework. By uniquely combining composite language modeling, denoising-based end-to-end learning, and deep learning-guided post-optimization, DRfold2 establishes a distinct direction for advancing ab initio RNA structure prediction.

PLoS BiologyVol. 24(2)
National University of Singapore (SG), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CN), National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (SG), Life Science Institute (JP), Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine (CN), Ningxia Medical University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 52%
RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
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