Fitting a loop

Learn how to fill in a gap in a model with the fit_loop tool.

Setting up example data

First, let's set up the example data (described in more detail here):

Get the files from the Phenix regression directory and change into the new folder:

phenix.setup_tutorial tutorial_name=model-building-scripting
cd model-building-scripting

Type phenix.python to start up Python with the Phenix environment all set up:

phenix.python

Set up the high level objects, so we can start our task:

from iotbx.data_manager import DataManager    # Load in the DataManager
dm = DataManager()             # Initialize the DataManager and call it dm
dm.set_overwrite(True)         # Overwrite files with the same name
mmm = dm.get_map_model_manager(        # getting a map_model_manager
  model_file="short_model_main_chain_box.pdb",   # model file
  map_files="short_model_box.ccp4")   # map file

Fitting a loop

We can fill in the resolution and experiment type and get a model_building object:

mmm.set_resolution(3)                 # resolution is 3 A
mmm.set_experiment_type('cryo_em')    # it is a cryo-EM map
build = mmm.model_building()          # get a model-building object

Let’s remove some residues in this model to create a model that needs a loop (we don’t have to do this, but it makes this example clearer):

new_model = build.model().apply_selection_string(    # apply a selection
   ' not (chain A and resseq 516:519)'  )  # remove residues 516-519 chain A
build.set_model(new_model)   # replace existing model with new_model

You can read about how to specify selections in the Phenix selection syntax documentation. The apply_selection_string method is part of a model object and it applies the selection you specify and returns a new model based on that selection.

Let’s write out the working model:

dm.write_model_file(build.model(), 'model_without_loop.pdb')  # new model

We can choose which methods to use in loop fitting. Let’s use resolve loop fitting:

build.set_defaults(fit_loop_methods=['resolve'])    #choose just resolve loop fitting

And let’s fit a loop. If were are already residues where the loop is to go (between residues 515 and 520) they would be removed before the loop is built:

fit_loop_model=build.fit_loop(   #  fit a loop
     chain_id="A",               # chain ID
     loop_sequence = 'RVLD',        # Sequence of residues in loop
     last_resno_before_loop=515,    #  Residue number just before loop
     first_resno_after_loop=520,)    #  Residue number just after loop

Let’s insert the loop:

build.insert_fitted_loop()    # insert the loop

Finally let’s write out the new model:

dm.write_model_file(build.model(), 'fitted_loop_model.pdb')  # new model