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Leave blank to use defaults (pH 7.4; net charge ≥ 5.0 flags off-pathway assembly).
Only consulted when the cargo is bigger than the ~8 nm cavity. Determines whether oversized cargo is called Regime II (accommodation) or predicted non-encapsulation; left unspecified, oversized cargo is flagged as unresolved rather than guessed.
Volume is estimated with a fast grid-based approximation by default. For increased accuracy, please supply a ChimeraX solvent-excluded volume and/or a Prot pi net charge above.
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Structures are processed transiently — never stored
How enCAGE works
Three key descriptors drive our prediction of encapsulation outcome.
1. Size & Shape
We assess the protein's dimensions and shape to determine if it can physically fit inside the ferritin cavity.
2. Surface Charge
We evaluate electrostatic compatibility between the protein surface and the negatively charged ferritin interior.
3. Prediction Engine
Our descriptor-guided rules integrate size and charge to predict the most likely encapsulation outcome.