Wavpred: A Wavelet-Based Algorithm for the Prediction of Transmembrane Proteins

Mathematical filtering using wavelet transform was applied to analyse hydropathy signals of membrane proteins. The accuracy of our localization of transmembrane approaches that of well-established methods. The analysis of hydrophobicity plots using wavelets presents advantages with respect to other "filtering" methods based on fixed windows or Fourier transforms and compared to "training" (neutral networks) techniques. Although the method embodies principles that have long been appreciated, its simplicity makes it a very useful tool for the evaluation of protein membrane-spanning segments. Generalization of use of wavelets should be encouraged in other aspects of bioinformatics.