Section 25.2.5.2.4.  Ab initio solution of metalloproteins

If the coordinates of one or a few heavy atoms are known, initial phases can be calculated. The problem of solving the structure of such a metalloprotein from the sites of the metal alone can be considered in the same framework as for heavy-atom-replacement solutions. Maps calculated from the phases of heavy atoms alone often have the best defined features within a defined radius of the heavy atom(s). Thus protocols that do not place all atoms at the start but instead perform a slow building while extending the model in a growing sphere around the heavy atom are preferred. When such a model is essentially complete, it can be used for automated tracing and completion of the model.