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ISSN 1386-6338 (P)
ISSN 1434-3207 (E)
In Silico Biology is a scientific research journal for the advancement of computational models and simulations applied to complex biological phenomena. We publish peer-reviewed leading-edge biological, biomedical and biotechnological research in which computer-based (i.e.,
"in silico"
) modeling and analysis tools are developed and utilized to predict and elucidate dynamics of biological systems, their design and control, and their evolution. Experimental support may also be provided to support the computational analyses.
In Silico Biology aims to advance the knowledge of the principles of organization of living systems. We strive to provide computational frameworks for understanding how observable biological properties arise from complex systems. In particular, we seek for integrative formalisms to decipher cross-talks underlying systems level properties, ultimate aim of multi-scale models.
Studies published in
In Silico Biology generally use theoretical models and computational analysis to gain quantitative insights into regulatory processes and networks, cell physiology and morphology, tissue dynamics and organ systems. Special areas of interest include signal transduction and information processing, gene expression and gene regulatory networks, metabolism, proliferation, differentiation and morphogenesis, among others, and the use of multi-scale modeling to connect molecular and cellular systems to the level of organisms and populations.
In Silico Biology also publishes foundational research in which novel algorithms are developed to facilitate modeling and simulations. Such research must demonstrate application to a concrete biological problem.
In Silico Biology frequently publishes special issues on seminal topics and trends. Special issues are handled by Special Issue Editors appointed by the Editor-in-Chief. Proposals for special issues should be sent to the Editor-in-Chief.
About In Silico Biology
The term
"in silico"
is a pendant to
"in vivo"
(in the living system) and
"in vitro"
(in the test tube) biological experiments, and implies the gain of insights by computer-based simulations and model analyses.
In Silico Biology (ISB) was founded in 1998 as a purely online journal. IOS Press became the publisher of the printed journal shortly after. Today, ISB is dedicated exclusively to biological systems modeling and multi-scale simulations and is published solely by IOS Press. The previous online publisher, Bioinformation Systems, maintains a website containing studies published between 1998 and 2010 for archival purposes.
We strongly support open communications and encourage researchers to share results and preliminary data with the community. Therefore, results and preliminary data made public through conference presentations, conference proceeding or posting of unrefereed manuscripts on preprint servers will not prohibit publication in ISB. However, authors are required to modify a preprint to include the journal reference (including DOI), and a link to the published article on the ISB website upon publication.
Abstract: Multiple sequence alignment was performed against eight proteases from the Flaviviridae family using ClustalW to illustrate conserved domains. Two sets of prediction approaches were applied and the results compared. Firstly, secondary structure prediction was performed using available structure prediction servers. The second approach made use of the information on the secondary structures extracted from structure prediction servers, threading techniques and DSSP database of some of the templates used in the threading techniques.…Consensus on the one-dimensional secondary structure of Den2 protease was obtained from each approach and evaluated against data from the recently crystallised Den2 NS2B/NS3 obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Results indicated the second approach to show higher accuracy compared to the use of prediction servers only. Thus, it is plausible that this approach is applicable to the initial stage of structural studies of proteins with low amino acid sequence homology against other available proteins in the PDB.
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Keywords: Dengue virus type 2, serine protease, secondary structure prediction, consensus, protein structure
Abstract: Protein aggregation, being an outcome of improper protein folding, is largely dependent on the folding kinetics of a protein. Previous studies have reported a positive correlation between the stability of the secondary structural elements of a protein and their rate of folding/unfolding. In this in silico study, the secondary and tertiary structures of proteins a) that form inclusion bodies on overexpression in Escherichia coli, b) that form amyloid fibrils and c) that are soluble on overexpression…in E. coli are analyzed for certain features that are known to be associated with structural stability. The study revealed that the soluble proteins seem to have a higher rate of folding (based on contact order) and a lower percentage of exposed hydrophobic residues as compared to the inclusion body forming or amyloidogenic proteins. The soluble proteins also seem to have a more favored helix and strand composition (based on the known secondary structural propensities of amino acids). The secondary structure analyses also reveal that the evolutionary pressure is directed against protein aggregation. This understanding of the positive correlation between structural stability and solubility, along with the other parameters known to influence aggregation, could be exploited in the design of mutations aimed at reducing the aggregation propensity of the proteins.
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Keywords: Amyloidogenicity, inclusion bodies, contact order, stability of secondary structures
