Automated comparative modelling of protein structures.

Most automated methods for protein modelling rely on the assembly of rigid fragments from known three-dimensional structures. Although the modelling of side chains has received attention recently, loop regions continue to be neglected, and these conformations contribute most errors to models. Comparative modelling procedures using distance restraints are particularly useful for modelling distantly related proteins with a common fold. Progress has also recently been made in the automatic evaluation of model structures.