PROMOTIF—A program to identify and analyze structural motifs in proteins

Abstract

We describe a suite of programs, PROMOTIF, that analyzes a protein coordinate file and provides details about the structural motifs in the protein. The program currently analyzes the following structural features: secondary structure; β‐ and γ‐turns; helical geometry and interactions; β‐strands and β‐sheet topology; β‐bulges; β‐hairpins; β‐α‐β units and Ψ‐loops; disulphide bridges; and main‐chain hydrogen bonding patterns. PROMOTIF creates postscript files showing the examples of each type of motif in the protein, and a summary page. The program can also be used to compare motifs in a group of related structures, such as an ensemble of NMR structures.