Protein Docking Configurator#

Features#

• Parse protein PDB files, identify ligand binding pockets
• Automatically calculate Grid Box center coordinates and dimensions
• Generate AutoDock Vina configuration files
• Generate AutoDock4 Grid parameter files
• Support Box positioning based on active site residues or ligands

Usage#

As Command Line Tool#

bash

# Calculate Grid Box based on active site residues
python scripts/main.py --receptor protein.pdb --active-site-residues "A:120,A:145,A:189" --software vina

# Calculate Grid Box based on reference ligand
python scripts/main.py --receptor protein.pdb --reference-ligand ligand.pdb --software vina

# Manually specify Box parameters
python scripts/main.py --receptor protein.pdb --center-x 10.5 --center-y -5.2 --center-z 20.1 --size-x 20 --size-y 20 --size-z 20 --software vina

As Python Module#

python

from scripts.main import DockingConfigurator

config = DockingConfigurator()

# Calculate box from receptor and active site
config.from_active_site("protein.pdb", ["A:120", "A:145", "A:189"])
config.write_vina_config("config.txt", exhaustiveness=32)

# Calculate box from receptor and reference ligand
config.from_reference_ligand("protein.pdb", "ligand.pdb", padding=5.0)
config.write_autodock4_gpf("protein.gpf", spacing=0.375)

Parameter Description#

Command Line Parameters#

ParameterDescriptionRequired--receptorReceptor protein PDB file pathYes--softwareDocking software type (vina/autodock4)Yes--active-site-residuesActive site residue list, format: "chain:residue_number"No--reference-ligandReference ligand PDB/MOL fileNo--center-x/y/zGrid Box center coordinatesNo--size-x/y/zGrid Box dimensions (Å)No--spacingGrid spacing (AutoDock4 only)No (default 0.375)--exhaustivenessSearch exhaustiveness (Vina only)No (default 32)--outputOutput file pathNo

Output#

• AutoDock Vina: Generates config.txt configuration file
• AutoDock4: Generates .gpf (Grid Parameter File) and corresponding macromolecule files

Dependencies#

• Python 3.8+
• numpy

Examples#

bash

# Example 1: Using active site residues
python scripts/main.py --receptor 1abc_receptor.pdb --active-site-residues "A:45,A:92,A:156" --software vina --output vina_config.txt

# Example 2: Using reference ligand with custom Box size
python scripts/main.py --receptor kinase.pdb --reference-ligand ATP.pdb --software vina --size-x 25 --size-y 25 --size-z 25

# Example 3: AutoDock4 configuration
python scripts/main.py --receptor protein.pdb --active-site-residues "A:100" --software autodock4 --spacing 0.375 --output protein.gpf

Notes#

1. Input PDB files should have water molecules and heteroatoms removed (unless needed)
2. It is recommended to protonate and calculate charges for the receptor (using AutoDock Tools, etc.)
3. Grid Box size should be sufficient to cover ligand conformational space, typically 20-30Å
4. Active site residues should include catalytic residues and key binding residues

Risk Assessment#

Risk IndicatorAssessmentLevelCode ExecutionPython/R scripts executed locallyMediumNetwork AccessNo external API callsLowFile System AccessRead input files, write output filesMediumInstruction TamperingStandard prompt guidelinesLowData ExposureOutput files saved to workspaceLow

Security Checklist#

• No hardcoded credentials or API keys
• No unauthorized file system access (../)
• Output does not expose sensitive information
• Prompt injection protections in place
• Input file paths validated (no ../ traversal)
• Output directory restricted to workspace
• Script execution in sandboxed environment
• Error messages sanitized (no stack traces exposed)
• Dependencies audited

Prerequisites#

No additional Python packages required.

Evaluation Criteria#

Success Metrics#

• Successfully executes main functionality
• Output meets quality standards
• Handles edge cases gracefully
• Performance is acceptable

Test Cases#

1. Basic Functionality: Standard input → Expected output
2. Edge Case: Invalid input → Graceful error handling
3. Performance: Large dataset → Acceptable processing time

Lifecycle Status#

• Current Stage: Draft

• Next Review Date: 2026-03-06

• Known Issues: None

• Planned Improvements:

  • Performance optimization
  • Additional feature support