Researchers use AI to design proteins that cut up other proteins
AI design tools make proteins that break bonds that are stable for hundreds of years.
TL;DR
- Researchers used AI tools (RFdiffusion2, ProteinMPNN, AlphaFold3) to design novel proteases.
- The design process involved starting with the catalytic core of natural proteases and building a new protein structure around it.
- The AI-designed enzymes can be tuned to cut specific protein sequences.
- These designer proteases were demonstrated to be effective in cutting proteins associated with neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.
- While successful in structure and targeting, the designed enzymes' catalytic activity was initially lower than natural counterparts, but could be improved through further refinement.
- Challenges for therapeutic use include protein delivery and potential immune responses.