scholarly journals Computational IR Spectroscopy of Insulin Dimer Structure and Conformational Heterogeneity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Jui Feng ◽  
Anton V. Sinitskiy ◽  
Vijay S. Pande ◽  
Andrei Tokmakoff
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Structural Heterogeneity ◽  
Dimer Interface ◽  
Markov State Model ◽  
Twisted State ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Infrared Spectral ◽  
Spectral Simulations ◽  
Ir Spectroscopic

<div><div><div><p>We have investigated the structure and conformational dynamics of insulin dimer using a Markov state model (MSM) built from extensive unbiased atomistic MD simulations, and performed infrared spectral simulations of the insulin MSM to describe how structural variation within the dimer can be experimentally resolved. Our model reveals two significant conformations to the dimer: a dominant native state consistent with other experimental structures of the dimer, and a twisted state with a structure that appears to reflect a ~55° clockwise rotation of the native dimer interface. The twisted state primarily influences the contacts involving the C-terminus of insulin’s B chain, shifting the registry of its intermolecular hydrogen bonds and reorganizing its sidechain packing. The MSM kinetics predict that these configurations exchange on a 14 μs timescale, largely passing through two Markov states with a solvated dimer interface. Computational amide I spectroscopy of site-specifically 13C18O labeled amides indicates that the native and twisted conformation can be distinguished through a series of single and dual labels involving the B24F, B25F, and B26Y residues. Additional structural heterogeneity and disorder is observed within the native and twisted states, and amide I spectroscopy can also be used to gain insight into this variation. This study will provide important interpretive tools for IR spectroscopic investigations of insulin structure, and transient IR kinetics experiments studying the conformational dynamics of insulin dimer.</p></div></div></div>

scholarly journals Computational IR Spectroscopy of Insulin Dimer Structure and Conformational Heterogeneity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Jui Feng ◽  
Anton V. Sinitskiy ◽  
Vijay S. Pande ◽  
Andrei Tokmakoff
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Structural Heterogeneity ◽  
Dimer Interface ◽  
Markov State Model ◽  
Twisted State ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Infrared Spectral ◽  
Spectral Simulations ◽  
Ir Spectroscopic

<div><div><div><p>We have investigated the structure and conformational dynamics of insulin dimer using a Markov state model (MSM) built from extensive unbiased atomistic MD simulations, and performed infrared spectral simulations of the insulin MSM to describe how structural variation within the dimer can be experimentally resolved. Our model reveals two significant conformations to the dimer: a dominant native state consistent with other experimental structures of the dimer, and a twisted state with a structure that appears to reflect a ~55° clockwise rotation of the native dimer interface. The twisted state primarily influences the contacts involving the C-terminus of insulin’s B chain, shifting the registry of its intermolecular hydrogen bonds and reorganizing its sidechain packing. The MSM kinetics predict that these configurations exchange on a 14 μs timescale, largely passing through two Markov states with a solvated dimer interface. Computational amide I spectroscopy of site-specifically 13C18O labeled amides indicates that the native and twisted conformation can be distinguished through a series of single and dual labels involving the B24F, B25F, and B26Y residues. Additional structural heterogeneity and disorder is observed within the native and twisted states, and amide I spectroscopy can also be used to gain insight into this variation. This study will provide important interpretive tools for IR spectroscopic investigations of insulin structure, and transient IR kinetics experiments studying the conformational dynamics of insulin dimer.</p></div></div></div>

Effect of Ionic Strength on the Aggregation Propensity of Aβ1-42 Peptide: An In-silico Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-226
Author(s):  
Priyanka Borah ◽  
Venkata S.K. Mattaparthi
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Coefficient ◽  
Ionic Strength ◽  
Marked Effect ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Radius Of Gyration ◽  
Aggregation Propensity ◽  
In Silico Study

Background: Aggregation of misfolded proteins under stress conditions in the cell might lead to several neurodegenerative disorders. Amyloid-beta (Aβ1-42) peptide, the causative agent of Alzheimer’s disease, has the propensity to fold into β-sheets under stress, forming aggregated amyloid plaques. This is influenced by factors such as pH, temperature, metal ions, mutation of residues, and ionic strength of the solution. There are several studies that have highlighted the importance of ionic strength in affecting the folding and aggregation propensity of Aβ1-42 peptide. Objective: To understand the effect of ionic strength of the solution on the aggregation propensity of Aβ1-42 peptide, using computational approaches. Materials and Methods: In this study, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on Aβ1-42 peptide monomer placed in (i) 0 M, (ii) 0.15 M, and (iii) 0.30 M concentration of NaCl solution. To prepare the input files for the MD simulations, we have used the Amberff99SB force field. The conformational dynamics of Aβ1-42 peptide monomer in different ionic strengths of the solutions were illustrated from the analysis of the corresponding MD trajectory using the CPPtraj tool. Results: From the MD trajectory analysis, we observe that with an increase in the ionic strength of the solution, Aβ1-42 peptide monomer shows a lesser tendency to undergo aggregation. From RMSD and SASA analysis, we noticed that Aβ1-42 peptide monomer undergoes a rapid change in conformation with an increase in the ionic strength of the solution. In addition, from the radius of gyration (Rg) analysis, we observed Aβ1-42 peptide monomer to be more compact at moderate ionic strength of the solution. Aβ1-42 peptide was also found to hold its helical secondary structure at moderate and higher ionic strengths of the solution. The diffusion coefficient of Aβ1-42 peptide monomer was also found to vary with the ionic strength of the solution. We observed a relatively higher diffusion coefficient value for Aβ1-42 peptide at moderate ionic strength of the solution. Conclusion: Our findings from this computational study highlight the marked effect of ionic strength of the solution on the conformational dynamics and aggregation propensity of Aβ1-42 peptide monomer.

scholarly journals Correlation of membrane protein conformational and functional dynamics

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghavendar Reddy Sanganna Gari ◽  
Joel José Montalvo‐Acosta ◽  
George R. Heath ◽  
Yining Jiang ◽  
Xiaolong Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Functional Dynamics ◽  
Ph Dependent ◽  
Open States

AbstractConformational changes in ion channels lead to gating of an ion-conductive pore. Ion flux has been measured with high temporal resolution by single-channel electrophysiology for decades. However, correlation between functional and conformational dynamics remained difficult, lacking experimental techniques to monitor sub-millisecond conformational changes. Here, we use the outer membrane protein G (OmpG) as a model system where loop-6 opens and closes the β-barrel pore like a lid in a pH-dependent manner. Functionally, single-channel electrophysiology shows that while closed states are favored at acidic pH and open states are favored at physiological pH, both states coexist and rapidly interchange in all conditions. Using HS-AFM height spectroscopy (HS-AFM-HS), we monitor sub-millisecond loop-6 conformational dynamics, and compare them to the functional dynamics from single-channel recordings, while MD simulations provide atomistic details and energy landscapes of the pH-dependent loop-6 fluctuations. HS-AFM-HS offers new opportunities to analyze conformational dynamics at timescales of domain and loop fluctuations.

scholarly journals Spontaneous and frequent conformational dynamics induced by A…A mismatch in d(CAA)·d(TAG) duplex

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yogeeshwar Ajjugal ◽  
Kripi Tomar ◽  
D. Krishna Rao ◽  
Thenmalarchelvi Rathinavelan
Keyword(s):  
Mismatch Repair ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Umbrella Sampling ◽  
Base Flipping ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
2D Noesy ◽  
Junction Formation ◽  
Nmr Techniques ◽  
Transient Events

AbstractBase pair mismatches in DNA can erroneously be incorporated during replication, recombination, etc. Here, the influence of A…A mismatch in the context of 5′CAA·5′TAG sequence is explored using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, umbrella sampling MD, circular dichroism (CD), microscale thermophoresis (MST) and NMR techniques. MD simulations reveal that the A…A mismatch experiences several transient events such as base flipping, base extrusion, etc. facilitating B–Z junction formation. A…A mismatch may assume such conformational transitions to circumvent the effect of nonisostericity with the flanking canonical base pairs so as to get accommodated in the DNA. CD and 1D proton NMR experiments further reveal that the extent of B–Z junction increases when the number of A…A mismatch in d(CAA)·d(T(A/T)G) increases (1–5). CD titration studies of d(CAA)·d(TAG)n=5 with the hZαADAR1 show the passive binding between the two, wherein, the binding of protein commences with B–Z junction recognition. Umbrella sampling simulation indicates that the mismatch samples anti…+ syn/+ syn…anti, anti…anti & + syn…+ syn glycosyl conformations. The concomitant spontaneous transitions are: a variety of hydrogen bonding patterns, stacking and minor or major groove extrahelical movements (with and without the engagement of hydrogen bonds) involving the mismatch adenines. These transitions frequently happen in anti…anti conformational region compared with the other three regions as revealed from the lifetime of these states. Further, 2D-NOESY experiments indicate that the number of cross-peaks diminishes with the increasing number of A…A mismatches implicating its dynamic nature. The spontaneous extrahelical movement seen in A…A mismatch may be a key pre-trapping event in the mismatch repair due to the accessibility of the base(s) to the sophisticated mismatch repair machinery.

scholarly journals Tethering-induced destabilization and ATP-binding for tandem RRM domains of ALS-causing TDP-43 and hnRNPA1

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Dang ◽  
Yifan Li ◽  
Jianxing Song
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Atp Binding ◽  
Rna Recognition Motif ◽  
Rna Recognition ◽  
Nucleic Acid Binding ◽  
General Role ◽  
Nmr Characterization ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

AbstractTDP-43 and hnRNPA1 contain tandemly-tethered RNA-recognition-motif (RRM) domains, which not only functionally bind an array of nucleic acids, but also participate in aggregation/fibrillation, a pathological hallmark of various human diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), alzheimer's disease (AD) and Multisystem proteinopathy (MSP). Here, by DSF, NMR and MD simulations we systematically characterized stability, ATP-binding and conformational dynamics of TDP-43 and hnRNPA1 RRM domains in both tethered and isolated forms. The results reveal three key findings: (1) upon tethering TDP-43 RRM domains become dramatically coupled and destabilized with Tm reduced to only 49 °C. (2) ATP specifically binds TDP-43 and hnRNPA1 RRM domains, in which ATP occupies the similar pockets within the conserved nucleic-acid-binding surfaces, with the affinity slightly higher to the tethered than isolated forms. (3) MD simulations indicate that the tethered RRM domains of TDP-43 and hnRNPA1 have higher conformational dynamics than the isolated forms. Two RRM domains become coupled as shown by NMR characterization and analysis of inter-domain correlation motions. The study explains the long-standing puzzle that the tethered TDP-43 RRM1–RRM2 is particularly prone to aggregation/fibrillation, and underscores the general role of ATP in inhibiting aggregation/fibrillation of RRM-containing proteins. The results also rationalize the observation that the risk of aggregation-causing diseases increases with aging.

scholarly journals Glucocorticoid resistance conferring mutation in the C-terminus of GR alters the receptor conformational dynamics

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Kaziales ◽  
Florian Rührnößl ◽  
Klaus Richter
Keyword(s):  
Glucocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Glucocorticoid Resistance ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Hsp90 Chaperone ◽  
In Silico Methods

AbstractThe glucocorticoid receptor is a key regulator of essential physiological processes, which under the control of the Hsp90 chaperone machinery, binds to steroid hormones and steroid-like molecules and in a rather complicated and elusive response, regulates a set of glucocorticoid responsive genes. We here examine a human glucocorticoid receptor variant, harboring a point mutation in the last C-terminal residues, L773P, that was associated to Primary Generalized Glucocorticoid Resistance, a condition originating from decreased affinity to hormone, impairing one or multiple aspects of GR action. Using in vitro and in silico methods, we assign the conformational consequences of this mutation to particular GR elements and report on the altered receptor properties regarding its binding to dexamethasone, a NCOA-2 coactivator-derived peptide, DNA, and importantly, its interaction with the chaperone machinery of Hsp90.

scholarly journals A molecular journey to check the conformational dynamics of tau tubulin kinase 2 mutations associated with Alzheimer's disease

RSC Advances ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1320-1331
Author(s):  
Shahzaib Ahamad ◽  
Hema Kanipakam ◽  
Vijay Kumar ◽  
Dinesh Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Md Simulations

MD simulations of TTBK2 mutants to study its impact on stability of the protein.

scholarly journals An interdomain bridge influences RNA binding of the human La protein

2018 ◽  
Vol 294 (5) ◽  
pp. 1529-1540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano A. Marrella ◽  
Kerene A. Brown ◽  
Farnaz Mansouri-Noori ◽  
Jennifer Porat ◽  
Derek J. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Polymerase Iii ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Rna Recognition Motif ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Nuclear Retention ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
La Protein ◽  
C Terminus

La proteins are RNA chaperones that perform various functions depending on distinct RNA-binding modes and their subcellular localization. In the nucleus, they help process UUU-3′OH–tailed nascent RNA polymerase III transcripts, such as pre-tRNAs, whereas in the cytoplasm they contribute to translation of poly(A)-tailed mRNAs. La accumulation in the nucleus and cytoplasm is controlled by several trafficking elements, including a canonical nuclear localization signal in the extreme C terminus and a nuclear retention element (NRE) in the RNA recognition motif 2 (RRM2) domain. Previous findings indicate that cytoplasmic export of La due to mutation of the NRE can be suppressed by mutations in RRM1, but the mechanism by which the RRM1 and RRM2 domains functionally cooperate is poorly understood. In this work, we use electromobility shift assays (EMSA) to show that mutations in the NRE and RRM1 affect binding of human La to pre-tRNAs but not UUU-3′OH or poly(A) sequences, and we present compensatory mutagenesis data supporting a direct interaction between the RRM1 and RRM2 domains. Moreover, we use collision-induced unfolding and time-resolved hydrogen–deuterium exchange MS analyses to study the conformational dynamics that occur when this interaction is intact or disrupted. Our results suggest that the intracellular distribution of La may be linked to its RNA-binding modes and provide the first evidence for a direct protein–protein interdomain interaction in La proteins.

scholarly journals Making high-dimensional molecular distribution functions tractable through Belief Propagation on Factor Graphs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Smith ◽  
Pratyush Tiwary
Keyword(s):  
Belief Propagation ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Joint Probability ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Factor Graph ◽  
High Dimensional ◽  
Enhanced Sampling ◽  
Small Peptides ◽  
Approximate Probability

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide a wealth of high-dimensional data at all-atom and femtosecond resolution but deciphering mechanistic information from this data is an ongoing challenge in physical chemistry and biophysics. Theoretically speaking, joint probabilities of the equilibrium distribution contain all thermodynamic information, but they prove increasingly difficult to compute and interpret as the dimensionality increases. Here, inspired by tools in probabilistic graphical modeling, we develop a factor graph trained through belief propagation that helps factorize the joint probability into an approximate tractable form that can be easily visualized and used. We validate the study through the analysis of the conformational dynamics of two small peptides with 5 and 9 residues. Our validations include testing the conditional dependency predictions through an intervention scheme inspired by Judea Pearl. Secondly we directly use the belief propagation based approximate probability distribution as a high-dimensional static bias for enhanced sampling, where we achieve spontaneous back-and-forth motion between metastable states that is up to 350 times faster than unbiased MD. We believe this work opens up useful ways to thinking about and dealing with high-dimensional molecular simulations.

scholarly journals Residue-Level Contact Reveals Modular Domain Interactions of PICK1 Are Driven by Both Electrostatic and Hydrophobic Forces

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy O. Stevens ◽  
Yi He
Keyword(s):  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
Pdz Domain ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Intramolecular Interactions ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Scaffolding Protein ◽  
Concave Surface ◽  
Stable Complex ◽  
Bar Domain ◽  
C Terminus

PICK1 is a multi-domain scaffolding protein that is uniquely comprised of both a PDZ domain and a BAR domain. While previous experiments have shown that the PDZ domain and the linker positively regulate the BAR domain and the C-terminus negatively regulates the BAR domain, the details of internal regulation mechanisms are unknown. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been proven to be a useful tool in revealing the intramolecular interactions at atomic-level resolution. PICK1 performs its biological functions in a dimeric form which is extremely computationally demanding to simulate with an all-atom force field. Here, we use coarse-grained MD simulations to expose the key residues and driving forces in the internal regulations of PICK1. While the PDZ and BAR domains do not form a stable complex, our simulations show the PDZ domain preferentially interacting with the concave surface of the BAR domain over other BAR domain regions. Furthermore, our simulations show that the short helix in the linker region can form interactions with the PDZ domain. Our results reveal that the surface of the βB-βC loop, βC strand, and αA-βD loop of the PDZ domain can form a group of hydrophobic interactions surrounding the linker helix. These interactions are driven by hydrophobic forces. In contrast, our simulations reveal a very dynamic C-terminus that most often resides on the convex surface of the BAR domain rather than the previously suspected concave surface. These interactions are driven by a combination of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions.

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