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PyMOL is a powerful and versatile program for molecular graphics, based on the Python scripting language (which you don't need to know in order to use the program!). It can be run interactively (using menu-driven commands and options) or via input scripts, but most efficiently by a combination of both approaches. Some PyMOL examples are illustrated here in the form of input scripts (.pml files) and their corresponding graphical outputs (.png files). These examples barely scrape the surface of what it's capable of -- one can nest PyMOL scripts within scripts, make animations (such as the one below), etc..

On a UNIX/Linux command line, type "pymol script_name.pml &" to run these examples (the .pdb file should be in the same directory).
On a Windows-PC, right-click on the .pml script file and open this file with the PyMOL application (again, check that all files are in right place).
Alternatively, once PyMOL is already started, scripts can be read-in by typing "@script_name.pml".


Task
Input files (click on filename) Output (click on image or text)

The crystal structure of Pyrobaculum aerophilum (Pae) SurEα reveals a dimer in the asymmetric unit of a P3(1)21 cell. We want a simple ribbon diagram of the dimer, as viewed down the NCS 2-fold. PaeSurE_simple_ribbons.pml
[PyMOL script file with some descriptive comments]
PaeSurE_dimer.pdb
[PDB file in which SeMet's have been changed to MET, because I was too lazy to have PyMOL properly deal with METs]
PaeSurE_simple_ribbons.png
PaeSurE_simple_ribbons.png

The crystal structure of Pyrobaculum aerophilum (Pae) SmAP1 reveals a heptamer in the asymmetric unit of a C222(1) cell. A 14-mer is created by one of the crystallographic 2-folds. We want to display a ribbon diagram of the 14-mer, clearly illustrating the surface area that's buried in the heptamer···heptamer interface.
PaeSmAP1_14mer_interface.pml
[PyMOL script file with lots of descriptive comments]
gpa14mer_buriedsurface.pdb
[PDB-format file with modified B-factors that describe whether the atom is part of the interface (B>0) or not (B=0)]
PaeSmAP1_14mer_interface.png
PaeSmAP1_14mer_interface.png

The crystal structure of Methanobacterium thermautotropicum (Mth) SmAP1 reveals a 14-mer in the asymmetric unit of a P2(1) cell. Several ligands (such as UMP, MPD, etc.) are bound to this 14-mer. We want to display a ribbon diagram of the 14-mer viewed down the 7-fold axis, illustrating the protein as ribbons and the ligands as color-coded CPK spheres. MthSmAP1_ribbons_and_ligands.pml
[PyMOL script file]
mth_p21.pdb
[PDB file for final, refined structure]
MthSmAP1_ribbons_and_ligands.png
MthSmAP1_ribbons_and_ligands.png
The crystal structure of Pyrobaculum aerophilum (Pae) SurEα reveals a dimer in the asymmetric unit of a P3(1)21 cell. We want a figure of two types of electron density, centered on Ser99 from chain 'B': 2Fo-Fc electron density and experimentally-phased (MAD) density maps. One PyMOL script produces both maps as separate panels (overlaying them in one panel is messy). PaeSurE_densities_Ser99.pml
[PyMOL script file with some descriptive comments]
PaeSurE_fordensity.pdb
[PDB file in which SeMet's have been changed to MET, because I was too lazy to have PyMOL properly deal with METs]
dm_phex20_ncs.xplor
[XPLOR map file calculated with experimental/MAD phases]
map2fofc_nonds.xplor
[XPLOR 2Fo-Fc map calculated from model phases]
PaeSurE_2fofc_Ser99.png   PaeSurE_Fobs_Ser99.png
PaeSurE_2fofc_Ser99.png PaeSurE_Fobs_Ser99.png

The crystal structure of Mth SmAP1 reveals a 14-mer in the asymmetric unit of a P2(1) cell. Several ligands (such as UMP, MPD, etc.) are bound to this 14-mer. We want to display the 14-mer and one of its 14 MPD-binding sites, showing: (i) Mth SmAP1 as sticks; (ii) electron density for MPD and proximal SmAP1 residues; (iii) distances between MPD····protein contacts (e.g., H-bonds).  MthSmAP1_MPD_density.pml
[PyMOL script file with some descriptive comments]
mth_p21_ump.pdb
[PDB file containing Mth 14-mer, waters, MPDs, UMPs, uridines, etc.]
mth_map2fofc.xplor
[XPLOR map file calculated with 2Fo-Fc coefficients]
mth_mapfofc.xplor
[XPLOR map file calculated with Fo-Fc coefficients]
MthSmAP1_MPD_density.png
MthSmAP1_MPD_density.png

The crystal structure of Pae SurEα reveals a dimer in the asymmetric unit of a P3(1)21 cell. We want to render one of the monomers as a ribbon diagram and make a movie of it spinning about the y-axis. This animation uses frames which are anti-aliased and ray-traced, so the size can get outta hand.  Icannotfindit.sorry
[...but visit the PyMOL manual; movies are easy.]
PaeSurE_movie.gif
PaeSurE_movie.gif
 Python modules for PyMOL animations (and miscellaneity):

 Electrostatics in PyMOL: (NEW)
  Random notes & links:
E-mail <cmura |at| ucsd |dot| edu> with questions/comments.