In silico studies of Fibroblast Growth Factor 

To support laboratory research of FGF1 interacting partners we carry out in silico studies of Fibroblast Growth Factor superfamily. Basing on evolutionary data of highly conservative sequences throughout the FGF family and on structural data we are trying to indicate on proteins which may interact with FGF1.

For these purposes we conduct several alignment techniques e.g. sequential alignment, structural homology and analogy alignments (with software such as ClustalW, PSFloger, Muster). Further procedures will involve statistical analyses of conserved motifs and sequences as well as motifs engaged in ligands binding (preferably motifs which are in the minimum of potential energy). This approach require introducing individual scoring system of analyzed hits which is being investigated at present. Next step would be design of the virtual library of peptides which possibly may bind to the FGF1 and then molecular docking (Autodock). Following analyses consist mostly of searching through the data bases (BioGrid, Uniprot)for the proteins bearing motifs indicated in previous step, and in the end Molecular Dynamics simulations should be carried out to investigate interaction between FGF1 and its partners. Highly precise in silico analysis provides decent background for experimental researches.