Week 5: Protein design part ii

Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is a cytosolic antioxidant enzyme that converts superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. In its native state, it forms a stable homodimer and binds copper and zinc.

Mutations in SOD1 cause familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Among them, the A4V mutation (Alanine → Valine at residue 4) leads to one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. The mutation subtly destabilizes the N-terminus, perturbs folding energetics, and promotes toxic aggregation.

Your challenge:

1. Design short peptides that bind mutant SOD1.
2. Then decide which ones are worth advancing toward therapy.