pvSOAR can take a structure either uploaded by a user or obtained from the Protein Data Bank, and identifies similar surface patterns based on geometrically defined pockets and voids.
It provides several search modes to compare protein surfaces by similarity in local sequence, local shape and local orientation.
Statistically significant search results are reported for visualization and interactive exploration.
pvSOAR can be used to predict biological functions of proteins with known three-dimensional structures but unknown biological roles.
It can also be used to study functional relationship between proteins and for exploration of the evolutionary origins of structural elements important for protein function.
