AutoLoop: a novel autoregressive deep learning method for protein loop prediction with high accuracy

Abstract

Protein structure prediction is a critical and longstanding challenge in biology, garnering widespread interest due to its significance in understanding biological processes. A particular area of focus is the prediction of missing loops in proteins, which are vital in determining protein function and activity. To address this challenge, we propose AutoLoop, a novel computational model designed to automatically generate accurate loop backbone conformations that closely resemble their natural structures. AutoLoop employs a bidirectional training approach while merging atom- and residue-level embedding, thus improving robustness and precision. We compared AutoLoop with twelve established methods, including FREAD, NGK, AlphaFold2, and AlphaFold3. AutoLoop consistently outperforms other methods, achieving a median RMSD of 1.12 Angstrom and a 2-Angstrom success rate of 73.23% on the CASP15 dataset, while maintaining strong performance on the HOMSTARD dataset. It demonstrates the best performance across nearly all loop lengths and secondary structural types. Beyond accuracy, AutoLoop is computationally efficient, requiring only 0.10 s per generation. A post-processing module for side-chain packing and energy minimization further improves results slightly, confirming the reliability of the predicted backbone. A case study also highlights AutoLoop's potential for precise predictions based on dominant loop conformations. These advances hold promise for protein engineering and drug discovery.