AlphaFold predictions are valuable hypotheses and accelerate but do not replace experimental structure determination.Artificial intelligence-based protein structure prediction methods such as AlphaFold have revolutionized structural biology.  Here, we evaluate how well AlphaFold predictions can be expected to describe the structure of a protein by comparing predictions directly with experimental crystallographic maps.  In many cases, AlphaFold predictions matched experimental maps remarkably closely.  We suggest considering AlphaFold predictions as exceptionally useful hypotheses.  We further suggest that it is important to consider the confidence in prediction when interpreting AlphaFold predictions and to carry out experimental structure determination to verify structural details, particularly those that involve interactions not included in the prediction.
AlphaFold
AlphaFold predictions are valuable hypotheses and accelerate but do not replace experimental structure determination.Artificial intelligence-based protein structure prediction methods such as AlphaFold have revolutionized structural biology.  Here, we evaluate how well AlphaFold predictions can be expected to describe the structure of a protein by comparing predictions directly with experimental crystallographic maps.  In many cases, AlphaFold predictions matched experimental maps remarkably closely.  We suggest considering AlphaFold predictions as exceptionally useful hypotheses.  We further suggest that it is important to consider the confidence in prediction when interpreting AlphaFold predictions and to carry out experimental structure determination to verify structural details, particularly those that involve interactions not included in the prediction.
AlphaFold