Why
Determining the structure of a macromolecule typically requires building an atomic model that fits the cryo-EM map. If the structure of the molecule or its components are unknown, the model has to be built from scratch into the cryo-EM map. This task is challenging because molecules are typically very large and chain tracing is difficult at low resolution. Therefore, manual interpretation of cryo-EM maps is time-consuming and error-prone. For many cases, however, automated methods can be used to build models for both proteins and nucleic acids.
After an atomic model is generated, it is real-space refined using secondary-structure restraints (e.g., see phenix.real_space_refine).
How
The program phenix.map_to_model interprets a cryo-EM map and automatically builds an atomic model. First, the map is sharpened using phenix.auto_sharpen. The unique parts of the structure are then identified by taking the reconstruction symmetry into account. In addition, the procedure identifies which parts of the map correspond to protein or RNA/DNA. To save runtime, you can use phenix.auto_sharpen to sharpen the map and phenix.map_box to cut out the unique part before you run phenix.map_to_model.
The phenix.map_to_model tool requires you to input a cryo-EM map with CCP4-style (MRC, etc) or MTZ map coefficients and a sequence file. For optimal model-building results, the resolution of the map should be 4.5 Å or better. The program outputs a PDB file with the resulting PDB map that is superimposed on the original map.
How to use the phenix.autobuild GUI: Click here
Phenix reference manual for phenix.map_to_model
Common issues
Related programs