TPPU_DSF: A Web Application to Calculate Thermodynamic Parameters Using DSF Data

Abstract

Here we present TPPU_DSF (https://maciasnmr.net/tppu_dsf/). This is a free and open-source web application that opens, converts, fits, and calculates the thermodynamic parameters of protein unfolding from standard differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) data in an automated manner. The software has several applications. In the context of screening compound libraries for protein binders, obtaining thermodynamic parameters provides a more robust approach to detecting hits than the changes in the melting temperature (T_m) alone, thereby helping to increase the number of positive hits in screening campaigns. Moreover, changes in ΔG_u^o indicate protein response to binding at lower compound concentrations than those in the T_m, thereby reducing the costs associated with the amounts of protein and compounds required for the assays. Also, by adding thermodynamic information to the T_m comparison, the software can contribute to the optimization of protein constructs and buffer conditions, a common practice before structural and functional projects.