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Complex Predictions Now Live — Structure to Protocol in One Workflow

Dec 8, 2025 · 2 min read

Most complex structure projects fail at construct design, not data collection.

You express multiple chains, get aggregation or substoichiometric assembly, and optimize blindly for months. Standard AlphaFold-Multimer gives structure but no insight into interface reliability, flexibility, or how to design working constructs.

Now available: Complex prediction and analysis on Orbion - from sequences to construct strategy in one workflow.

Platform Capabilities:

  1. AlphaFold-Multimer + dual interface confidence (chain-to-chain + geometry)

  2. Mechanistic roles (receptor/ligand, scaffold/regulator/connector)

  3. Flexibility mapping (truncation candidates, hinges, multi-state residues)

  4. Functional predictions (PTMs, binding sites, membrane topology)

  5. Integrated co-expression protocols (stoichiometry, mutations, additives)

Works for: Antibody-antigen, enzyme complexes, membrane assemblies, kinase-substrate, protein-peptide.

Example: GLP-1R–GLP-1 Complex

GPCR-peptide (1:1 hetero-oligomer). Clinically relevant (semaglutide mechanism), experimentally validated (PDB: 6X18, 5VAI), notoriously difficult (membrane protein + transient binding + DPP4 degradation + glycosylation interference).

Structure + Interface Predictions:

  • Dual confidence (chain 18.4Å, geometry 3.1Å) explains why binding interface is reliable despite conformational dynamics

  • 4 flexibility zones (N-term, ICL2/3, C-term) ✅ match truncations in solved structures 

Functional Sites:

  • 4 disulfide bridges (matches PDB ✅)

  • N-glycosylation (N63, N82) (expression-critical ✅)

  • Phosphorylation cluster (S431-444) in desensitization region

  • Cholesterol binding sites

  • GLP-1 C-term amidation (required for activity ✅)

Each structural prediction chains into experimental decisions:

  • N-glycosylation (N63, N82) → HEK293S GnTI⁻ at 31-32°C for glycan control

  • Cholesterol binding sites → LMNG/CHS detergent + POPC nanodisc composition

  • DPP4 cleavage site → Sitagliptin (10 μM) + A8G mutation for dual protection

  • Conformational dynamics (PAE 18.4Å) → Crosslinking/SAXS validation recommendation

  • Additional parameters: DNA ratio 1:2 + Sodium butyrate (3-5 mM, 16h) + ELISA checkpoint

Result: Complete construct strategy with interconnected parameters that normally require multiple failed expression rounds. <30 minutes from sequences.