Incorporation of fast Fourier transforms to speed restrained least-squares refinement of protein structures

Abstract

Modifications to the restrained least-squares refinement program of Hendrickson & Konnert [ Biomolecular Structure, Function, Conformation, and Evolution , edited by R. Srinivasan, pp. 43–57 (1980). Oxford: Pergamon Press] are described that result in dramatic acceleration of the refinement of protein structures. Proven fast-Fourier-transform-based algorithms for computing structure factors and least-squares matrix elements are incorporated that reduce up to a hundredfold the computation time required for a single cycle. The modified program is shown to give results comparable to refinement by conventional methods and has been successfully applied to the refinement of several protein crystal structures.