PROTEUS: a suite of programs for prediction of structural features of proteins using an Apple IIe

We have implemented several algorithms, developed by various authors for predicting structural features of proteins from their primary structure, on an Apple IIe and collected them in a suite, named PROTEUS. This suite incorporates: (i) methods for predicting secondary structure; (ii) the algorithm for computing the hydropathy profile using one out of five available sets of parameters; (iii) the algorithms for calculating the hydrophobic moment plot; and (iv) for performing the amphipathic analysis using one out of four available sets of parameters. The suite has a utility program for storing on a disk the sequence to be analysed. As an example, we applied some of the methods included in PROTEUS to predict the structure of a mitochondrial leader peptide. The results suggest the occurrence of structural features possibly related to the import of proteins into mitochondria.