UCSF ChimeraX: Tools for structure building and analysis

Protein Sci. 2023 Nov;32(11):e4792. doi: 10.1002/pro.4792.

Abstract

Advances in computational tools for atomic model building are leading to accurate models of large molecular assemblies seen in electron microscopy, often at challenging resolutions of 3-4 Å. We describe new methods in the UCSF ChimeraX molecular modeling package that take advantage of machine-learning structure predictions, provide likelihood-based fitting in maps, and compute per-residue scores to identify modeling errors. Additional model-building tools assist analysis of mutations, post-translational modifications, and interactions with ligands. We present the latest ChimeraX model-building capabilities, including several community-developed extensions. ChimeraX is available free of charge for noncommercial use at https://www.rbvi.ucsf.edu/chimerax.

Keywords: AlphaFold; ChimeraX; atomic model building; cryo-electron microscopy; protein structure prediction; refinement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cryoelectron Microscopy / methods
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Conformation
  • Software*