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Updated: May 5, 2026

A Protocol for Computer-Based Protein Structure and Function Prediction
Published on: November 3, 2011
A computer program (COMPOST) for predicting mass spectrometric information from known amino acid sequences
I A Papayannopoulos1, K Biemann
1Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract:
A computer program (COMPOST) is described that carries out predictive computations on known amino acid sequences. The program is designed to be of use to mass spectrometrists with an interest in protein and peptide sequencing. Mass values (monoisotopic and average) for protonated peptide and protein molecules and elemental compositions are calculated. COMPOST also calculates mass to charge ratio values for protonated peptides expected from specified digests, locates specified amino acid subsequences or peptides of a specifIed molecular weight within a longer sequence, and predicts mass to charge ratio values for fragment ions from high-energy collision-induced dissociation of protonated peptides.
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