HMI-PRED

HMI-PRED predicts structural protein-protein interactions between host proteins and microbial proteins (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa) by detecting interface mimicry to reveal how microbial proteins may exploit host binding surfaces.

Key Features:

• Interface mimicry-based prediction: Uses structural information to detect mimicry of host protein interfaces by microbial proteins to infer potential interactions.
• Structural modeling of HMI complexes: Generates structural models of potential host-microbe interaction (HMI) complexes based on predicted interface compatibility.
• Identification of disrupted endogenous and exogenous PPIs: Identifies host endogenous and exogenous protein-protein interactions that could be perturbed by microbial proteins.
• Support for homology models: Accepts and utilizes uploaded homology models of microbial proteins when experimental structures are unavailable.
• Tissue expression annotation: Associates targeted host proteins with tissue expression profiles to provide biological context for predicted interactions.

Scientific Applications:

• Molecular mechanism elucidation: Elucidates molecular bases of host-microbe interactions by revealing structural mimicry and binding interfaces.
• Target identification: Aids identification and prioritization of host proteins that may serve as therapeutic or experimental targets.
• Pathogenesis investigation: Supports investigation of pathogenic mechanisms by showing how microbial proteins can modulate host signaling and immune processes.

Methodology:

Structural bioinformatics techniques focused on interface mimicry and structural compatibility between microbial and host proteins to predict protein-protein interactions.