From fold to function

A number of recent advances have been made in deriving function information from protein structure. A fold relationship to an already characterized pr otein will often allow general information about function to be deduced. Mo re detailed information can be obtained using sequence relationships to alr eady studied proteins. Methods of deducing function directly from structure , without the use of evolutionary relationships, are developing rapidly. Al l such methods may be used with models of protein structure, rather than wi th experimentally determined ones, but model accuracy imposes limitations. The rapid expansion of the structural genomics field has created a new urge ncy for improved methods of structure-based annotation of function.