CHEXVIS: a tool for molecular channel extraction and visualization

Bin Masood, Talha and Sandhya, Sankaran and Chandra, Nagasuma and Natarajan, Vijay (2015) CHEXVIS: a tool for molecular channel extraction and visualization. In: BMC BIOINFORMATICS, 16 .

PDF bmc_bio_16_2015.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (3MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Background: Understanding channel structures that lead to active sites or traverse the molecule is important in the study of molecular functions such as ion, ligand, and small molecule transport. Efficient methods for extracting, storing, and analyzing protein channels are required to support such studies. Further, there is a need for an integrated framework that supports computation of the channels, interactive exploration of their structure, and detailed visual analysis of their properties. Results: We describe a method for molecular channel extraction based on the alpha complex representation. The method computes geometrically feasible channels, stores both the volume occupied by the channel and its centerline in a unified representation, and reports significant channels. The representation also supports efficient computation of channel profiles that help understand channel properties. We describe methods for effective visualization of the channels and their profiles. These methods and the visual analysis framework are implemented in a software tool, CHEXVIS. We apply the method on a number of known channel containing proteins to extract pore features. Results from these experiments on several proteins show that CHEXVIS performance is comparable to, and in some cases, better than existing channel extraction techniques. Using several case studies, we demonstrate how CHEXVIS can be used to study channels, extract their properties and gain insights into molecular function. Conclusion: CHEXVIS supports the visual exploration of multiple channels together with their geometric and physico-chemical properties thereby enabling the understanding of the basic biology of transport through protein channels. The CHEXVIS web-server is freely available at http://vgl.serc.iisc.ernet.in/chexvis/. The web-server is supported on all modern browsers with latest Java plug-in.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	BMC BIOINFORMATICS
Publisher:	BIOMED CENTRAL LTD
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the BIOMED CENTRAL LTD, 236 GRAYS INN RD, FLOOR 6, LONDON WC1X 8HL, ENGLAND
Keywords:	Biomolecular channels; Ion channels; Pores; Transmembrane pores; Alpha complex; Visualization
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Biochemistry Division of Electrical Sciences > Computer Science & Automation Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences > Supercomputer Education & Research Centre
Date Deposited:	22 May 2015 07:32
Last Modified:	22 May 2015 07:32
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/51565

Actions (login required)

View Item