# A Review of Current Computational Tools for Peptide–Protein Docking

**Authors:** Fábio G. Martins, Hélder A. Santos, Sérgio F. Sousa

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/jcc.70328 · 2026-02-13

## TL;DR

This review summarizes current computational tools for predicting how peptides interact with proteins, helping researchers choose the best methods for drug discovery.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive comparison of 14 peptide–protein docking programs and emerging AI-driven approaches.

## Key findings

- The paper identifies and describes 14 dedicated peptide–protein docking programs.
- It highlights the strengths and limitations of each docking tool.
- Emerging AI-driven methods are explored as state-of-the-art alternatives.

## Abstract

Peptide–protein docking is an increasingly important technique in computational biochemistry and drug discovery, allowing researchers to predict interactions between peptides and proteins and guiding the development of peptide‐based therapeutics. This review provides a detailed overview of the current landscape of peptide–protein docking programs, emphasizing their importance and versatility. Through an extensive literature search, we identify and describe 14 dedicated peptide–protein docking programs, along with small‐molecule docking software that supports peptide docking. Additionally, we explore state‐of‐the‐art AI‐driven alternatives that are advancing the field. By describing the distinct features, methodological approaches, strengths, and inherent limitations of each docking tool, this review aims to support researchers in navigating the wide range of available docking programs and making well‐informed choices tailored to their specific research objectives.

In this review, we compare 14 specialized peptide‐protein docking programs, adaptable small‐molecule docking tools, and emerging AI‐driven approaches. By clarifying how each method works, we offer researchers an accessible guide to selecting the most suitable tools for biochemical studies and peptide‐focused drug discovery.

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CUP2Q35 (Syndactyly, type I) [NCBI Gene 57306] {aka C2DUPq35, SD1, SDTY1}, ERVK-6 (endogenous retrovirus group K member 6, envelope) [NCBI Gene 64006] {aka ERVK6, HERV-K(C7), HERV-K108, K-Rev, c-orf, cORF}, TAS1R3 (taste 1 receptor member 3) [NCBI Gene 83756] {aka T1R3}, FGF7 (fibroblast growth factor 7) [NCBI Gene 2252] {aka HBGF-7, KGF}, ACE (angiotensin I converting enzyme) [NCBI Gene 1636] {aka ACE1, CD143, DCP, DCP1}, DPP4 (dipeptidyl peptidase 4) [NCBI Gene 1803] {aka ADABP, ADCP2, CD26, DPPIV, TP103}, HSPA5 (heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 5) [NCBI Gene 3309] {aka BIP, GRP78, HEL-S-89n}, AP2B1 (adaptor related protein complex 2 subunit beta 1) [NCBI Gene 163] {aka ADTB2, AP105B, AP2-BETA, CLAPB1}, PPIF (peptidylprolyl isomerase F) [NCBI Gene 10105] {aka CYP3, CyP-M, Cyp-D, CypD}
- **Diseases:** acute pancreatitis (MESH:D010195), diabetes (MESH:D003920), cancer (MESH:D009369), leishmaniasis (MESH:D007896), amyloid-linked neurodegenerative diseases (MESH:D019636), infection (MESH:D007239), leukemias (MESH:D007938), diabetic foot wounds (MESH:D017719), infectious diseases (MESH:D003141), cutaneous leishmaniasis (MESH:D016773), intestinal infections (MESH:D007410), ovarian cancer (MESH:D010051), breast cancer (MESH:D001943), bacterial infections (MESH:D001424), lymphomas (MESH:D008223)
- **Chemicals:** alginate (MESH:D000464), acids (MESH:D000143), polyglycine (MESH:C011080), oligopeptide (MESH:D009842), dipeptides (MESH:D004151), N-acetylgalactosamine (MESH:D000116), Peptide (MESH:D010455), palmitoyl-CoA (MESH:D010171), monosodium glutamate (MESH:D012970), amino acids (MESH:D000596), disulfide (MESH:D004220), doxorubicin (MESH:D004317), AD (-), hydrogen (MESH:D006859)
- **Species:** Pseudomonas aeruginosa (species) [taxon 287], Ebola virus [taxon 186536], Glycine max (soybean, species) [taxon 3847], Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (no rank) [taxon 694009], Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (no rank) [taxon 11676], Toxoplasma gondii (species) [taxon 5811], Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (no rank) [taxon 2697049], Porcine rotavirus (no rank) [taxon 10913], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Salmo salar (Atlantic salmon, species) [taxon 8030], Osmanthus fragrans (sweet osmanthus, species) [taxon 93977], dengue virus type 2 (no rank) [taxon 11060], Leishmania (subgenus) [taxon 38568], Aeromonas sobria (species) [taxon 646], Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly, species) [taxon 7227], Gallus gallus (bantam, species) [taxon 9031], Monkeypox virus (no rank) [taxon 10244], Human betaherpesvirus 5 (no rank) [taxon 10359], PoRV [taxon 53179], Streptococcus gallolyticus (species) [taxon 315405], Dengue virus (no rank) [taxon 12637]
- **Mutations:** A36R

## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12903194/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12903194