scholarly journals Salt leverages polyethylene terephthalate hydrolase (PETase) enzymatic activity via the predicted conformational switch

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey A. Shiryaev ◽  
Piotr Cieplak ◽  
Andrei V. Chernov
Keyword(s):  
Polyethylene Terephthalate ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Catalytic Triad ◽  
High Salt ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Conformational Switch ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
Hydrolyzing Enzymes ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

AbstractPlastic pollution spawned a global challenge caused by the environmental accumulation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. Ongoing remediation efforts using microbial and engineered PET hydrolyzing enzymes (PETases) are hindered by slow depolymerization activities. Here, we report the optimized reaction conditions that leveraged the PETase hydrolase activity 2 to 3.8-fold in the presence of high NaCl concentrations. Molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) were applied to model salt-dependent conformational changes of the PETase enzyme bound to a 3-unit PET polymer. MDS demonstrated that PETase interaction with flanking polymer units exhibited a striking structural disparity at low and high salt concentrations. At low salt concentrations, flanking polymer units displayed significant bending. In contrast, flanking units extended at high salt concentrations, thus residues D206, H237, and S160 of the catalytic triad positioned in close vicinity of the scissile ester bond of the polymer substrate. The resulting high salt-specific enzyme/substrate geometry can potentially facilitate hydrolysis. We theorized that a salt-dependent conformational switch could attenuate the enzyme to a broad range of natural and artificial polymers consumed as carbon sources. Altogether, new knowledge may advance the engineering of PET hydrolase enzymes and benefit bioconversion programs.

Molecular Basis of Glucose Transport Mechanism in Plants

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balaji Selvam ◽  
Ya-Chi Yu ◽  
Liqing Chen ◽  
Diwakar Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Free Energy ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Transport Mechanism ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Free Energy Barrier ◽  
Transport Cycle ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

<p>The SWEET family belongs to a class of transporters in plants that undergoes large conformational changes to facilitate transport of sugar molecules across the cell membrane. However, the structures of their functionally relevant conformational states in the transport cycle have not been reported. In this study, we have characterized the conformational dynamics and complete transport cycle of glucose in OsSWEET2b transporter using extensive molecular dynamics simulations. Using Markov state models, we estimated the free energy barrier associated with different states as well as 1 for the glucose the transport mechanism. SWEETs undergoes structural transition to outward-facing (OF), Occluded (OC) and inward-facing (IF) and strongly support alternate access transport mechanism. The glucose diffuses freely from outside to inside the cell without causing major conformational changes which means that the conformations of glucose unbound and bound snapshots are exactly same for OF, OC and IF states. We identified a network of hydrophobic core residues at the center of the transporter that restricts the glucose entry to the cytoplasmic side and act as an intracellular hydrophobic gate. The mechanistic predictions from molecular dynamics simulations are validated using site-directed mutagenesis experiments. Our simulation also revealed hourglass like intermediate states making the pore radius narrower at the center. This work provides new fundamental insights into how substrate-transporter interactions actively change the free energy landscape of the transport cycle to facilitate enhanced transport activity.</p>

scholarly journals Studies of Conformational Changes of Tubulin Induced by Interaction with Kinesin Using Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6709
Author(s):  
Xiao-Xuan Shi ◽  
Peng-Ye Wang ◽  
Hong Chen ◽  
Ping Xie
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Binding Energy ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Weak Interactions ◽  
Molecular Motor ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Calculated Binding Energy ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

The transition between strong and weak interactions of the kinesin head with the microtubule, which is regulated by the change of the nucleotide state of the head, is indispensable for the processive motion of the kinesin molecular motor on the microtubule. Here, using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, the interactions between the kinesin head and tubulin are studied on the basis of the available high-resolution structural data. We found that the strong interaction can induce rapid large conformational changes of the tubulin, whereas the weak interaction cannot. Furthermore, we found that the large conformational changes of the tubulin have a significant effect on the interaction of the tubulin with the head in the weak-microtubule-binding ADP state. The calculated binding energy of the ADP-bound head to the tubulin with the large conformational changes is only about half that of the tubulin without the conformational changes.

Insights into the roles of charged residues in substrate binding and mode of action of mannuronan C-5 epimerase AlgE4

Glycobiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margrethe Gaardløs ◽  
Sergey A Samsonov ◽  
Marit Sletmoen ◽  
Maya Hjørnevik ◽  
Gerd Inger Sætrom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
Substrate Binding ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Product Formation ◽  
Titration Calorimetry ◽  
Binding Groove ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Abstract Mannuronan C-5 epimerases catalyse the epimerization of monomer residues in the polysaccharide alginate, changing the physical properties of the biopolymer. The enzymes are utilized to tailor alginate to numerous biological functions by alginate-producing organisms. The underlying molecular mechanisms that control the processive movement of the epimerase along the substrate chain is still elusive. To study this, we have used an interdisciplinary approach combining molecular dynamics simulations with experimental methods from mutant studies of AlgE4, where initial epimerase activity and product formation were addressed with NMR spectroscopy, and characteristics of enzyme-substrate interactions were obtained with isothermal titration calorimetry and optical tweezers. Positive charges lining the substrate-binding groove of AlgE4 appear to control the initial binding of poly-mannuronate, and binding also seems to be mediated by both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. After the catalytic reaction, negatively charged enzyme residues might facilitate dissociation of alginate from the positive residues, working like electrostatic switches, allowing the substrate to translocate in the binding groove. Molecular simulations show translocation increments of two monosaccharide units before the next productive binding event resulting in MG-block formation, with the epimerase moving with its N-terminus towards the reducing end of the alginate chain. Our results indicate that the charge pair R343-D345 might be directly involved in conformational changes of a loop that can be important for binding and dissociation. The computational and experimental approaches used in this study complement each other, allowing for a better understanding of individual residues’ roles in binding and movement along the alginate chains.

scholarly journals On the dynamics of some small structural motifs in rRNA upon ligand binding

2008 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-53
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Rakic ◽  
Petar Mitrasinovic
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Reference Structure ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Rna Sequences ◽  
Conformational Model ◽  
Thermodynamic Variables ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

The present study characterizes using molecular dynamics simulations the behavior of the GAA (1186-1188) hairpin triloops with their closing c-g base pairs in large ribonucleoligand complexes (PDB IDs: 1njn, 1nwy, 1jzx). The relative energies of the motifs in the complexes with respect to that in the reference structure (unbound form of rRNA; PDB ID: 1njp) display the trends that agree with those of the conformational parameters reported in a previous study1 utilizing the de novo pseudotorsional (?,?) approach. The RNA regions around the actual RNA-ligand contacts, which experience the most substantial conformational changes upon formation of the complexes were identified. The thermodynamic parameters, based on a two-state conformational model of RNA sequences containing 15, 21 and 27 nucleotides in the immediate vicinity of the particular binding sites, were evaluated. From a more structural standpoint, the strain of a triloop, being far from the specific contacts and interacting primarily with other parts of the ribosome, was established as a structural feature which conforms to the trend of the average values of the thermodynamic variables corresponding to the three motifs defined by the 15-, 21- and 27-nucleotide sequences. From a more functional standpoint, RNA-ligand recognition is suggested to be presumably dictated by the types of ligands in the complexes.

Structural insights into dihydroxylation of terephthalate, a product of polyethylene terephthalate degradation

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jai Krishna Mahto ◽  
Neetu Neetu ◽  
Monica Sharma ◽  
Monika Dubey ◽  
Bhanu Prakash Vellanki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Substrate Specificity ◽  
Polyethylene Terephthalate ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Comamonas Testosteroni ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Microbial Utilization ◽  
Steady State Kinetics

Biodegradation of terephthalate (TPA) is a highly desired catabolic process for the bacterial utilization of this Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) depolymerization product, but to date, the structure of terephthalate dioxygenase (TPDO), a Rieske oxygenase (RO) that catalyzes the dihydroxylation of TPA to a cis -diol is unavailable. In this study, we characterized the steady-state kinetics and first crystal structure of TPDO from Comamonas testosteroni KF1 (TPDO KF1 ). The TPDO KF1 exhibited the substrate specificity for TPA ( k cat / K m = 57 ± 9 mM −1 s −1 ). The TPDO KF1 structure harbors characteristics RO features as well as a unique catalytic domain that rationalizes the enzyme’s function. The docking and mutagenesis studies reveal that its substrate specificity to TPA is mediated by Arg309 and Arg390 residues, two residues positioned on opposite faces of the active site. Additionally, residue Gln300 is also proven to be crucial for the activity, its substitution to alanine decreases the activity ( k cat ) by 80%. Together, this study delineates the structural features that dictate the substrate recognition and specificity of TPDO. Importance The global plastic pollution has become the most pressing environmental issue. Recent studies on enzymes depolymerizing polyethylene terephthalate plastic into terephthalate (TPA) show some potential in tackling this. Microbial utilization of this released product, TPA is an emerging and promising strategy for waste-to-value creation. Research from the last decade has discovered terephthalate dioxygenase (TPDO), as being responsible for initiating the enzymatic degradation of TPA in a few Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we have determined the crystal structure of TPDO from Comamonas testosteroni KF1 and revealed that it possesses a unique catalytic domain featuring two basic residues in the active site to recognize TPA. Biochemical and mutagenesis studies demonstrated the crucial residues responsible for the substrate specificity of this enzyme.

scholarly journals A Wrench in the Works of Human Acetylcholinesterase: Soman Induced Conformational Changes Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e0121092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J. Bennion ◽  
Sebnem G. Essiz ◽  
Edmond Y. Lau ◽  
Jean-Luc Fattebert ◽  
Aiyana Emigh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

scholarly journals The intercalation of imidazoacridinones into DNA induces conformational changes in their side chain.

2000 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Mazerski ◽  
K Muchewicz
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Ring System ◽  
Van Der Waals Interactions ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Intercalation Complex ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Antitumor Compounds ◽  
Chemical Constitution ◽  
Modelling Techniques ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Imidazoacridinones (IAs) are a new group of highly active antitumor compounds. The intercalation of the IA molecule into DNA is the preliminary step in the mode of action of these compounds. There are no experimental data about the structure of an intercalation complex formed by imidazoacridinones. Therefore the design of new potentially better compounds of this group should employ the molecular modelling techniques. The results of molecular dynamics simulations performed for four IA analogues are presented. Each of the compounds was studied in two systems: i) in water, and ii) in the intercalation complex with dodecamer duplex d(GCGCGCGCGCGC)2. Significant differences in the conformation of the side chain in the two environments were observed for all studied IAs. These changes were induced by electrostatic as well as van der Waals interactions between the intercalator and DNA. Moreover, the results showed that the geometry of the intercalation complex depends on: i) the chemical constitution of the side chain, and ii) the substituent in position 8 of the ring system.

scholarly journals Clean Enzymatic depolymerization of highly crystalline polyethylene terephthalate in moist-solid reaction mixtures

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Kaabel ◽  
J. P. Daniel Therien ◽  
Catherine E. Deschênes ◽  
Dustin Duncan ◽  
Tomislav Friščić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polyethylene Terephthalate ◽  
Metal Organic Framework ◽  
Direct Synthesis ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Solid Reaction ◽  
Pollution Problem ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Dilute Aqueous Solutions ◽  
Space Time Yield ◽  
Crystalline Forms

AbstractLess than 9% of the plastic produced is recycled after use, contributing to the global plastic pollution problem. While polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most common plastics, its thermomechanical recycling generates a material of lesser quality. Enzymes are highly selective, renewable catalysts active at mild temperatures; however, the current consensus is that they lack activity towards the more crystalline forms of PET. We report here that when used in moist-solid reaction mixtures instead of the typical dilute aqueous solutions, enzymes can directly depolymerize high crystallinity PET in 13-fold higher space-time yield and a 15-fold higher enzyme efficiency than prior reports. Further, this process shows a 26-fold selectivity for terephthalic acid over other hydrolysis products, which allows the direct synthesis of UiO-66 metal-organic framework.

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