Parameterization of Divalent Cations for Coarse-Grained Simulations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florencia Klein ◽  
Daniela Cáceres-Rojas ◽  
Monica Carrasco ◽  
Juan Carlos Tapia ◽  
Julio Caballero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Metal Ions ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Interaction Parameters ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Dynamical Description

<p>Although molecular dynamics simulations allow for the study of interactions among virtually all biomolecular entities, metal ions still pose significant challenges to achieve an accurate structural and dynamical description of many biological assemblies. This is particularly the case for coarse-grained (CG) models. Although the reduced computational cost of CG methods often makes them the technique of choice for the study of large biomolecular systems, the parameterization of metal ions is still very crude or simply not available for the vast majority of CG- force fields. Here, we show that incorporating statistical data retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) to set specific Lennard-Jones interactions can produce structurally accurate CG molecular dynamics simulations. Using this simple approach, we provide a set of interaction parameters for Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc ions, which cover more than 80% of the metal-bound structures reported on the PDB. Simulations performed using the SIRAH force field on several proteins and DNA systems show that using the present approach it is possible to obtain non-bonded interaction parameters that obviate the use of topological constraints. </p>

Parameterization of Divalent Cations for Coarse-Grained Simulations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florencia Klein ◽  
Daniela Cáceres-Rojas ◽  
Monica Carrasco ◽  
Juan Carlos Tapia ◽  
Julio Caballero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Metal Ions ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Interaction Parameters ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Dynamical Description

<p>Although molecular dynamics simulations allow for the study of interactions among virtually all biomolecular entities, metal ions still pose significant challenges to achieve an accurate structural and dynamical description of many biological assemblies. This is particularly the case for coarse-grained (CG) models. Although the reduced computational cost of CG methods often makes them the technique of choice for the study of large biomolecular systems, the parameterization of metal ions is still very crude or simply not available for the vast majority of CG- force fields. Here, we show that incorporating statistical data retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) to set specific Lennard-Jones interactions can produce structurally accurate CG molecular dynamics simulations. Using this simple approach, we provide a set of interaction parameters for Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc ions, which cover more than 80% of the metal-bound structures reported on the PDB. Simulations performed using the SIRAH force field on several proteins and DNA systems show that using the present approach it is possible to obtain non-bonded interaction parameters that obviate the use of topological constraints. </p>

scholarly journals Insights into actin polymerization and nucleation using a coarse grained model

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon G. Horan ◽  
Aaron R. Hall ◽  
Dimitrios Vavylonis
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Actin Filament ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Activation Barrier ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Coarse Grained Model ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Pointed End

ABSTRACTWe studied actin filament polymerization and nucleation with molecular dynamics simulations and a previously established coarse-grained model having each residue represented by a single interaction site located at the Cα atom. We approximate each actin protein as a fully or partially rigid unit to identify the equilibrium structural ensemble of interprotein complexes. Monomers in the F-actin configuration bound to both barbed and pointed ends of a short F-actin filament at the anticipated locations for polymerization. Binding at both ends occurred with similar affinity. Contacts between residues of the incoming subunit and the short filament were consistent with expectation from models based on crystallography, X-ray diffraction and cryo-electron microscopy. Binding at the barbed and pointed end also occurred at an angle with respect to the polymerizable bound structure, and the angle range depended on the flexibility of the D-loop. Additional barbed end bound states were seen when the incoming subunit was in the G-actin form. Consistent with an activation barrier for pointed end polymerization, G-actin did not bind at an F-actin pointed end. In all cases, binding at the barbed end also occurred in a configuration similar to the antiparallel (lower) dimer. Individual monomers bound each other in a short-pitch helix complex in addition to other configurations, with several of them apparently non-productive for polymerization. Simulations with multiple monomers in the F-actin form show assembly into filaments as well as transient aggregates at the barbed end. We discuss the implications of these observations on the kinetic pathway of actin filament nucleation and polymerization and possibilities for future improvements of the coarse-grained model.SIGNIFICANCEControl of actin filament nucleation and elongation has crucial importance to cellular life. We show that coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations are a powerful tool which can gauge involved mechanisms at reasonable computational cost, while retaining essential features of the fully atomic, yet less computationally tractable, system. Using a knowledge-based potential demonstrates the power of these methods for explaining and reproducing polymerization. Intermediate actin complexes identified in the simulations may play critical roles in the kinetic pathways of actin polymerization which may have been difficult to observe in prior experiments. These methods have been sparsely applied to the actin system, yet have potential to answer many important questions in the field.

scholarly journals Low-Resolution Models for the Interaction Dynamics of Coated Gold Nanoparticles with β2-microglobulin

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 3866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgia Brancolini ◽  
Hender Lopez ◽  
Stefano Corni ◽  
Valentina Tozzini
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Implicit Solvent ◽  
Low Resolution ◽  
Β2 Microglobulin ◽  
Coating Roughness ◽  
Gold Nps ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

A large number of low-resolution models have been proposed in the last decades to reduce the computational cost of molecular dynamics simulations for bio-nano systems, such as those involving the interactions of proteins with functionalized nanoparticles (NPs). For the proteins, “minimalist” models at the one-bead-per residue (Cα-based) level and with implicit solvent are well established. For the gold NPs, widely explored for biotechnological applications, mesoscale (MS) models treating the NP core with a single spheroidal object are commonly proposed. In this representation, the surface details (coating, roughness, etc.) are lost. These, however, and the specificity of the functionalization, have been shown to have fundamental roles for the interaction with proteins. We presented a mixed-resolution coarse-grained (CG) model for gold NPs in which the surface chemistry is reintroduced as superficial smaller beads. We compared molecular dynamics simulations of the amyloid β2-microglobulin represented at the minimalist level interacting with NPs represented with this model or at the MS level. Our finding highlights the importance of describing the surface of the NP at a finer level as the chemical-physical properties of the surface of the NP are crucial to correctly understand the protein-nanoparticle association.

scholarly journals Adsorption on Ligand-Tethered Nanoparticles

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8810
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Borówko ◽  
Tomasz Staszewski
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Adsorption Isotherm ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Polymer Coatings ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Interaction Parameters ◽  
Structural Transitions ◽  
Excess Adsorption ◽  
The Core ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

We use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to study adsorption on ligand-tethered particles. Nanoparticles with attached flexible and stiff ligands are considered. We discuss how the excess adsorption isotherm, the thickness of the polymer corona, and its morphology depend on the number of ligands, their length, the size of the core, and the interaction parameters. We investigate the adsorption-induced structural transitions of polymer coatings. The behavior of systems involving curved and flat “brushes” is compared.

scholarly journals Variation of Interaction Zone Size For The Target Design of 2D Supramolecular Networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Piotr Baran ◽  
Wojciech Rżysko ◽  
Dariusz Tarasewicz
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
The Self ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Zone Size ◽  
Interaction Zone ◽  
Supramolecular Networks ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Target Design

In this study we have performed extensive coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of the self-assembly of tetra-substituted molecules. We have found that such molecules are able to form a variety of...

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