The Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP) database has facilitated the development of many tools and algorithms and it has been successfully used in protein structure prediction and large-scale genome annotations. During the development of SCOP, numerous exceptions were found to topological rules, along with complex evolutionary scenarios and peculiarities in proteins including the ability to fold into alternative structures. This article reviews cases of structural variations observed for individual proteins and among groups of homologues, knowledge of which is essential for protein structure modelling.
Keywords: Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP); homology modelling; metamorphic proteins; protein structure evolution.
© 2016 The Author(s). published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.