A study of simulated annealing protocols for use with molecular dynamics in protein structure prediction

The method of simulated annealing can be of use in protein structure prediction by homology modelling where side chain conformations must be predicted. In this study an attempt has been made to optimize a molecular dynamics method for this purpose. Heating and cooling protocols to maximize the accuracy of the predictions have been developed. The optimized protocol involves cooling from 3000 to 0 K over 20 ps while simultaneously introducing the non-bonded energy term. The use of a 'soft' non-bonded interaction energy term in place of a standard 6-12 potential is found to be important. The reliability of the predictions has been analysed in terms of the environment of the residues (solvent accessibility) and the degree of uncertainty in the structure (number of unknown torsion angles). Depending on these factors the percentage of unknown side chain torsion angles that are correctly predicted within 30 degrees ranges from approximately 50 to 75%. Potential problems and limitations of the method are discussed.