Ligand Docking Tools and Software !

Ligand docking referred to cases where small molecule (“ligand”) is being docked into much larger macromolecule ("target"). The following is partial list of docking software, focusing on free (at least for academic institutes) and/or popular docking tools. 

AutoDock

Stochastic (GA)

Flexible ligand and partially flexible target

ArgusLab

Systematic

Flexible ligandX-Score based

DOCK

Systematic (IC)

Flexible ligandDOCK 3.5 (force field)

eHITS

Systematic (RBD of fragments followed by reconstruction)Flexible ligand and partially flexible targetHiTS_Score (empirical)

FlexX

Systematic (IC)Flexible ligandFlexX SF (empirical)Commercial

FLIPDock

Stochastic (GA)Flexible ligand and flexible targetAUTODOCK (empirical)

FRED

Systematic (RBD)Flexible ligandChemScore, PLP, ScreenScore, ChemGauss (empirical/consensus)

GOLD

Stochastic (GA)

Flexible ligand and partially flexible targetGoldScore, ChemScore (empirical), ASP (knowledge based)

ICM

Stochastic (MC)

Flexible ligand and partially flexible targetICM SF (empirical)

ParDOCK

Stochastic (MC)

RigidBAPPL (empirical)

PLANTS

Stochastic (ACO)Flexible ligand and partially flexible target

CHEMPLP, PLP (empirical)

Surflex

Systematic (IC/MA)Flexible ligandHammerhead based (empirical)

Point to note:

Several studies have shown that the performance of most docking tools is highly dependent on the particular characteristics of both the binding site and the ligand to be investigated, and the determination which method would be more suitable in a specific context is difficult. We encouraged you to check several docking methods to determine which one(s) work best for your system.