Protein structure prediction via deep learning: an in-depth review

The application of deep learning algorithms in protein structure prediction has greatly influenced drug discovery and development. Accurate protein structures are crucial for understanding biological processes and designing effective therapeutics. Traditionally, experimental methods like X-ray cryst...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yajie Meng, Zhuang Zhang, Chang Zhou, Xianfang Tang, Xinrong Hu, Geng Tian, Jialiang Yang, Yuhua Yao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1498662/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849736231313735680
author Yajie Meng
Zhuang Zhang
Chang Zhou
Xianfang Tang
Xinrong Hu
Geng Tian
Jialiang Yang
Yuhua Yao
Yuhua Yao
Yuhua Yao
author_facet Yajie Meng
Zhuang Zhang
Chang Zhou
Xianfang Tang
Xinrong Hu
Geng Tian
Jialiang Yang
Yuhua Yao
Yuhua Yao
Yuhua Yao
author_sort Yajie Meng
collection DOAJ
description The application of deep learning algorithms in protein structure prediction has greatly influenced drug discovery and development. Accurate protein structures are crucial for understanding biological processes and designing effective therapeutics. Traditionally, experimental methods like X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and cryo-electron microscopy have been the gold standard for determining protein structures. However, these approaches are often costly, inefficient, and time-consuming. At the same time, the number of known protein sequences far exceeds the number of experimentally determined structures, creating a gap that necessitates the use of computational approaches. Deep learning has emerged as a promising solution to address this challenge over the past decade. This review provides a comprehensive guide to applying deep learning methodologies and tools in protein structure prediction. We initially outline the databases related to the protein structure prediction, then delve into the recently developed large language models as well as state-of-the-art deep learning-based methods. The review concludes with a perspective on the future of predicting protein structure, highlighting potential challenges and opportunities.
format Article
id doaj-art-60c98d0c858d4ec5b68710ea2bc10d29
institution DOAJ
issn 1663-9812
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Pharmacology
spelling doaj-art-60c98d0c858d4ec5b68710ea2bc10d292025-08-20T03:07:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-04-011610.3389/fphar.2025.14986621498662Protein structure prediction via deep learning: an in-depth reviewYajie Meng0Zhuang Zhang1Chang Zhou2Xianfang Tang3Xinrong Hu4Geng Tian5Jialiang Yang6Yuhua Yao7Yuhua Yao8Yuhua Yao9College of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, ChinaCollege of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, ChinaCollege of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, ChinaCollege of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, ChinaCollege of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, ChinaGeneis Beijing Co, Beijing, ChinaGeneis Beijing Co, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Mathematics and Statistics, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Data Science and Intelligence Education, Ministry of Education, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, ChinaKey Laboratory of Computational Science and Application of Hainan Province, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, ChinaThe application of deep learning algorithms in protein structure prediction has greatly influenced drug discovery and development. Accurate protein structures are crucial for understanding biological processes and designing effective therapeutics. Traditionally, experimental methods like X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and cryo-electron microscopy have been the gold standard for determining protein structures. However, these approaches are often costly, inefficient, and time-consuming. At the same time, the number of known protein sequences far exceeds the number of experimentally determined structures, creating a gap that necessitates the use of computational approaches. Deep learning has emerged as a promising solution to address this challenge over the past decade. This review provides a comprehensive guide to applying deep learning methodologies and tools in protein structure prediction. We initially outline the databases related to the protein structure prediction, then delve into the recently developed large language models as well as state-of-the-art deep learning-based methods. The review concludes with a perspective on the future of predicting protein structure, highlighting potential challenges and opportunities.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1498662/fullprotein structure predictiondeep learninglarge language modelprotein structure databasesevaluation index
spellingShingle Yajie Meng
Zhuang Zhang
Chang Zhou
Xianfang Tang
Xinrong Hu
Geng Tian
Jialiang Yang
Yuhua Yao
Yuhua Yao
Yuhua Yao
Protein structure prediction via deep learning: an in-depth review
Frontiers in Pharmacology
protein structure prediction
deep learning
large language model
protein structure databases
evaluation index
title Protein structure prediction via deep learning: an in-depth review
title_full Protein structure prediction via deep learning: an in-depth review
title_fullStr Protein structure prediction via deep learning: an in-depth review
title_full_unstemmed Protein structure prediction via deep learning: an in-depth review
title_short Protein structure prediction via deep learning: an in-depth review
title_sort protein structure prediction via deep learning an in depth review
topic protein structure prediction
deep learning
large language model
protein structure databases
evaluation index
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1498662/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yajiemeng proteinstructurepredictionviadeeplearninganindepthreview
AT zhuangzhang proteinstructurepredictionviadeeplearninganindepthreview
AT changzhou proteinstructurepredictionviadeeplearninganindepthreview
AT xianfangtang proteinstructurepredictionviadeeplearninganindepthreview
AT xinronghu proteinstructurepredictionviadeeplearninganindepthreview
AT gengtian proteinstructurepredictionviadeeplearninganindepthreview
AT jialiangyang proteinstructurepredictionviadeeplearninganindepthreview
AT yuhuayao proteinstructurepredictionviadeeplearninganindepthreview
AT yuhuayao proteinstructurepredictionviadeeplearninganindepthreview
AT yuhuayao proteinstructurepredictionviadeeplearninganindepthreview