scholarly journals Computer Simulations of the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and different surfaces

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Malaspina ◽  
Jordi Faraudo
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Hydrogen Bonding ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
Prominent Feature ◽  
High Hydrogen ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Initial Adsorption ◽  
Binding Subunit

A prominent feature of coronaviruses is the presence of a large glycoprotein spike protruding from a lipidic membrane. This glycoprotein spike determines the interaction of coronaviruses with the environment and the host. In this paper, we perform all atomic Molecular Dynamics simulations of the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 trimeric glycoprotein spike and surfaces of materials. We considered a material with high hydrogen bonding capacity (cellulose) and a material capable of strong hydrophobic interactions (graphite). Initially, the spike adsorbs to both surfaces through essentially the same residues belonging to the receptor binding subunit of its three monomers. Adsorption onto cellulose stabilizes in this configuration, with the help of a large number of hydrogen bonds developed between cellulose and the three receptor binding domains (RBD) of the glycoprotein spike. In the case of adsorption onto graphite, the initial adsorption configuration is not stable and the surface induces a substantial deformation of the glycoprotein spike with a large number of adsorbed residues not pertaining to the binding subunits of the spike monomers.

scholarly journals Phospholipids dock SARS-CoV-2 spike protein via hydrophobic interactions: a minimal in-silico study of lecithin nasal spray therapy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Nawaz Qaisrani ◽  
Jawad Ur Rehman ◽  
Roman Belousov ◽  
Elham Moharramzadeh Goliaei ◽  
Ivan Girotto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Binding Energies ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Preferential Binding ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

<div><div><div><p>Understanding the physical and chemical properties of viral infections at molecular scales is a major challenge for the scientific community more so with the outbreak of global pandemics. There is currently a lot of effort being placed in identifying molecules that could act as putative drugs or blockers of viral molecules. In this work, we computationally explore the importance in antiviral activity of a less studied class of molecules, namely surfactants. We employ all-atoms molecular dynamics simulations to study the interaction between the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the phospholipid lecithin (POPC), in water. Our microsecond simulations show a preferential binding of lecithin to the receptor-binding motif of SARS-CoV-2 with binding energies significantly larger than kBT. Furthermore, hydrophobic interactions in- volving lecithin non-polar tails dominate these binding events, which are also accompanied by dewetting of the receptor binding motif. Through an analysis of fluctuations in the radius of gyra- tion of the receptor-binding domains, its contact maps with lecithin molecules, and distributions of water molecules near the binding region, we elucidate molecular interactions that may play an important role in interactions involving surfactant-type molecules and viruses. We discuss our minimal computational model in the context of lecithin-based liposomal nasal sprays as putative mitigating therapies for COVID-19.</p></div></div></div>

Molecular Basis of Iterative C–H Oxidation by TamI, a Multifunctional P450 Monooxygenase from the Tirandamycin Biosynthetic Pathway

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean A. Newmister ◽  
Kinshuk Raj Srivastava ◽  
Rosa V. Espinoza ◽  
Kersti Caddell Haatveit ◽  
Yogan Khatri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
Cytochromes P450 ◽  
Targeted Mutagenesis ◽  
P450 Monooxygenase ◽  
Bond Functionalization ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Biocatalysis offers an expanding and powerful strategy to construct and diversify complex molecules by C-H bond functionalization. Due to their high selectivity, enzymes have become an essential tool for C-H bond functionalization and offer complementary reactivity to small-molecule catalysts. Hemoproteins, particularly cytochromes P450, have proven effective for selective oxidation of unactivated C-H bonds. Previously, we reported the in vitro characterization of an oxidative tailoring cascade in which TamI, a multifunctional P450 functions co-dependently with the TamL flavoprotein to catalyze regio- and stereoselective hydroxylations and epoxidation to yield tirandamycin A and tirandamycin B. TamI follows a defined order including 1) C10 hydroxylation, 2) C11/C12 epoxidation, and 3) C18 hydroxylation. Here we present a structural, biochemical, and computational investigation of TamI to understand the molecular basis of its substrate binding, diverse reactivity, and specific reaction sequence. The crystal structure of TamI in complex with tirandamycin C together with molecular dynamics simulations and targeted mutagenesis suggest that hydrophobic interactions with the polyene chain of its natural substrate are critical for molecular recognition. QM/MM calculations and molecular dynamics simulations of TamI with variant substrates provided detailed information on the molecular basis of sequential reactivity, and pattern of regio- and stereo-selectivity in catalyzing the three-step oxidative cascade.<br>

Geometry of OH⋯O interactions in the liquid state of linear alcohols from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6690-6697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aman Jindal ◽  
Sukumaran Vasudevan
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Hydrogen Bonding ◽  
Ab Initio ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Liquid State ◽  
Crystalline State ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Linear Alcohols ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Hydrogen bonding OH···O geometries in the liquid state of linear alcohols, derived from ab initio MD simulations, show no change from methanol to pentanol, in contrast to that observed in their crystalline state.

MOLECULAR MODELING OF THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HISTONE DEACETYLASE 8 AND INHIBITORS

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (04) ◽  
pp. 907-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAWEI HUANG ◽  
XIAOHUI LI ◽  
ZHILONG XIU
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Histone Deacetylases ◽  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
Binding Free Energy ◽  
Zinc Ion ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Domain Docking ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Linker Domain

Inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs) have become an attractive class of anticancer agent. To understand the interaction between HDAC8 and inhibitors, including "pan-" inhibitors that inhibit many HDACs isoforms and selective inhibitors with no linker domain, docking and molecular dynamics simulation were conducted. Docking results showed the presence of π-π interactions between "linkerless" inhibitors and the aromatic amino acid residues of HDAC8 in the active site. Binding between HDAC8 and inhibitors was also stabilized by hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction. In molecular dynamics simulations, the zinc ion was shown to coordinate one more atom of HDAC8-"linkerless" inhibitor complexes than HDAC8-"pan-" inhibitor complexes. Persistent hydrogen bonds also existed between Tyr306 of HDAC8 and some inhibitors. When inhibitors with large cap groups bound to the active pocket of HDAC8, Phe152 and Met274 shifted from their initial positions and the entrance of the active pocket became more open, resulting in the formation of sub-pocket. Hydrophobic interactions contributed most favorably to the binding free energy between HDAC8 and inhibitors. Lys33, Asp178, Asp267, Tyr306 and Leu308 of HDAC8 were favorable for binding with all inhibitors.

scholarly journals Insight into Cellulose Dissolution with the Tetrabutylphosphonium Chloride–Water Mixture using Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Crawford ◽  
Ahmed E. Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Hydrogen Bonding ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Water Solution ◽  
Water Concentration ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Mixture ◽  
Cellulose Dissolution ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

All-atom molecular dynamics simulations are utilized to determine the properties and mechanisms of cellulose dissolution using the ionic liquid tetrabutylphosphonium chloride (TBPCl)–water mixture, from 63.1 to 100 mol % water. The hydrogen bonding between small and large cellulose bundles with 18 and 88 strands, respectively, is compared for all concentrations. The Cl, TBP, and water enable cellulose dissolution by working together to form a cooperative mechanism capable of separating the cellulose strands from the bundle. The chloride anions initiate the cellulose breakup, and water assists in delaying the cellulose strand reformation; the TBP cation then more permanently separates the cellulose strands from the bundle. The chloride anion provides a net negative pairwise energy, offsetting the net positive pairwise energy of the peeling cellulose strand. The TBP–peeling cellulose strand has a uniquely favorable and potentially net negative pairwise energy contribution in the TBPCl–water solution, which may partially explain why it is capable of dissolving cellulose at moderate temperatures and high water concentrations. The cellulose dissolution declines rapidly with increasing water concentration as hydrogen bond lifetimes of the chloride–cellulose hydroxyl hydrogens fall below the cellulose’s largest intra-strand hydrogen bonding lifetime.

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