The 3-D structure of a protein is determined by a method known as X-ray diffraction or by another method known as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). All protein structures determined until now are complied in a database called RCSB Protein Data Bank or PDB for short. Determining the 3-D structure of a protein is a very complicated task which requires a lot of time and resources. Scientists have deciphered the 3-D structure of few protein sequences, and therefore the protein structure database is relatively smaller than other databases.

The 3-D structures of IPNS proteins from various fungi have been determined. Among them is the structure of the IPNS enzyme from the fungus Aspergillus Nidulans, determined by a British team of scientists using the x-ray diffraction method. The scientists can learn a lot about the structure of this protein by displaying its structure using a tool for displaying three-dimensional structures of molecules. We will follow the process of characterizing the protein structure by displaying its structure. The identification code for this file in the 3-D structures database (PDB) is 1QJE, and should be entered into the tool for displaying 3-D structures of the protein in order to display it.