<blockquote>
  <p>how come not every atom in the CONECT section is described in the SITE section?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Because it is not required and not needed.</p>

<p><code>CONECT</code> is for listing bonds, so that molecular graphics programs know how to draw the structure.</p>

<p><code>SITE</code> is for annotation of interesting sites. Each listed SITE has a corresponding REMARK 800 that "details its significance". A graphical program may provide a menu with a list of all interesting sites for easy navigation.</p>

<p>Note: PDB is a legacy file format. The primary file format used nowadays by the PDB (organization) is called PDBx/mmCIF. So when looking into such details it is often better to look directly into mmCIF files.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-09T14:32:15.547Z
Thank you. If a ligand is in close proximity with an amino acid, shouldn't it be noted in both 'CONECT' and 'SITE' sections? If I'm looking for the amino acids that are in close proximity (let's say 4-6 A), should I use the 'CONECT' references to find those amino acids? Or should I just use the amino acids residues from the relevant 'SITE' location?
Adrian Smith
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-18T09:43:46.807Z
@AdrianSmith Neither is suitable for determining proximity.
marcin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-09T11:33:21.543Z
2018-02-09T11:33:21.543Z
marcin
<p>The <code>CONECT</code> section in a PDB file describes <a href="http://www.wwpdb.org/documentation/file-format-content/format33/sect10.html#CONECT" rel="nofollow noreferrer">atomic connectivity</a>.</p>

<p>The <code>SITE</code> section describes (among other characteristics), <a href="http://www.wwpdb.org/documentation/file-format-content/format33/sect7.html#SSBOND" rel="nofollow noreferrer">environments surrounding ligands present in the structure</a>.</p>

<p>Now, how come not every atom in the <code>CONECT</code> section is described in the <code>SITE</code> section? </p>

<p>For example: <a href="https://files.rcsb.org/view/1A28.pdb" rel="nofollow noreferrer">1a28.pdb</a></p>

<protein-structure><pdb>
What are the differences between "Site" and "CONECT" in a PDB file
# What are the differences between "Site" and "CONECT" in a PDB file

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-09)

The `CONECT` section in a PDB file describes [atomic connectivity](http://www.wwpdb.org/documentation/file-format-content/format33/sect10.html#CONECT).

The `SITE` section describes (among other characteristics), [environments surrounding ligands present in the structure](http://www.wwpdb.org/documentation/file-format-content/format33/sect7.html#SSBOND).

Now, how come not every atom in the `CONECT` section is described in the `SITE` section?

For example: [1a28.pdb](https://files.rcsb.org/view/1A28.pdb)

**Tags:** protein-structure, pdb

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-02-09. Score: 2

> how come not every atom in the CONECT section is described in the SITE section?

Because it is not required and not needed.

`CONECT` is for listing bonds, so that molecular graphics programs know how to draw the structure.

`SITE` is for annotation of interesting sites. Each listed SITE has a corresponding REMARK 800 that "details its significance". A graphical program may provide a menu with a list of all interesting sites for easy navigation.

Note: PDB is a legacy file format. The primary file format used nowadays by the PDB (organization) is called PDBx/mmCIF. So when looking into such details it is often better to look directly into mmCIF files.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you. If a ligand is in close proximity with an amino acid, shouldn't it be noted in both 'CONECT' and 'SITE' sections? If I'm looking for the amino acids that are in close proximity (let's say 4-6 A), should I use the 'CONECT' references to find those amino acids? Or should I just use the amino acids residues from the relevant 'SITE' location?  
> **username_1**: @AdrianSmith Neither is suitable for determining proximity.  

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