scholarly journals An Unbound Proline-Rich Signaling Peptide Frequently Samples Cis Conformations in Gaussian Accelerated Molecular Dynamics Simulations

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Alcantara ◽  
Robyn Stix ◽  
Katherine Huang ◽  
Acadia Connor ◽  
Ray East ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Energy Barrier ◽  
Covalent Bond ◽  
Peptide Bond ◽  
Amide Bond ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Free Energy Barrier ◽  
Proline Isomerization ◽  
Accelerated Molecular Dynamics

Disordered proline-rich motifs are common across the proteomes of many species and are often involved in protein-protein interactions. Proline is a unique amino acid due to the covalent bond between the backbone nitrogen and the proline side chain. The resulting five-membered ring allows proline to sample the cis state about its peptide bond, which other residues cannot do as readily. Because proline-rich disordered sequences exist as ensembles that likely include structures with the proline peptide bond in cis, a robust methodology to accurately account for these conformations in the overall ensemble is crucial. Observing the cis conformations of proline in a disordered sequence is challenging both experimentally and computationally. Nitrogen-hydrogen NMR spectroscopy cannot directly observe proline residues, which lack an amide bond, and computational methods struggle to overcome the large kinetic barrier between the cis and trans states, since isomerization usually occurs on the order of seconds. In the current work, Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics was used to overcome this free energy barrier and simulate proline isomerization in a tetrapeptide (KPTP) and in the 12-residue proline-rich SH3 binding peptide, ArkA. We found that Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics, when combined with a lowered peptide bond dihedral angle potential energy barrier (15 kcal/mol), allowed sufficient sampling of the proline cis and trans states on a microsecond timescale. All ArkA prolines spend a significant fraction of time in cis, leading to a more compact ensemble with less polyproline II helix structure than an ArkA ensemble with all peptide bonds in trans. The ensemble containing cis prolines also matches more closely to in vitro circular dichroism data than the all-trans ensemble. The ability of the ArkA prolines to isomerize likely affects the peptide’s ability to bind its partner SH3 domain, and should be studied further. This is the first molecular dynamics simulation study of proline isomerization in a biologically relevant proline-rich sequence that we know of, and a similar protocol could be applied to study multi-proline isomerization in other proline-containing proteins to improve conformational diversity and agreement with in vitro data.

scholarly journals Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics reveals that a proline-rich signaling peptide frequently samples cis conformations when unbound

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Alcantara ◽  
Robyn Stix ◽  
Katherine Huang ◽  
Acadia Connor ◽  
Ray East ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Energy Barrier ◽  
Peptide Bond ◽  
Amide Bond ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Proline Isomerization ◽  
Accelerated Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Cis And Trans ◽  
In Cis

Disordered proline-rich motifs are common across the proteomes of many species and are often involved in protein-protein interactions. Proline is a unique amino acid due to the covalent bond between the backbone nitrogen and the proline side chain. The resulting five-membered ring allows proline to sample the cis state about its peptide bond, which other residues cannot do as readily. Because proline-rich disordered sequences exist as ensembles that likely include structures with the proline peptide bond in cis, a robust methodology to accurately account for these conformations in the overall ensemble is crucial. Observing the cis conformations of proline in a disordered sequence is challenging both experimentally and computationally. Nitrogen-hydrogen NMR spectroscopy cannot directly observe proline residues, which lack an amide bond, and computational methods struggle to overcome the large kinetic barrier between the cis and trans states, since isomerization usually occurs on the order of seconds. In the current work, Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics was used to overcome this free energy barrier and simulate proline isomerization in a tetrapeptide (KPTP) and in the 12-residue proline-rich SH3 binding peptide, ArkA. We found that Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics, when combined with a lowered peptide bond dihedral angle potential energy barrier (15 kcal/mol), allowed sufficient sampling of the proline cis and trans states on a microsecond timescale. All ArkA prolines spend a significant fraction of time in cis, leading to a more compact ensemble with less polyproline II helix structure than an ArkA ensemble with all peptide bonds in trans. The ensemble containing cis prolines also matches more closely to in vitro circular dichroism data than the all-trans ensemble. The ability of the ArkA prolines to isomerize likely affects the peptide's ability to bind its partner SH3 domain, and should be studied further. This is the first molecular dynamics simulation study of proline isomerization in a biologically relevant proline-rich sequence that we know of, and a similar protocol could be applied to study multi-proline isomerization in other proline-containing proteins to improve conformational diversity and agreement with in vitro data.

scholarly journals Hydrogen Inter-Cage Hopping and Cage Occupancies inside Hydrogen Hydrate: Molecular-Dynamics Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 282
Author(s):  
Yogeshwaran Krishnan ◽  
Mohammad Reza Ghaani ◽  
Arnaud Desmedt ◽  
Niall J. English
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Energy Barrier ◽  
Guest Molecule ◽  
Arrhenius Equation ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Large Cage ◽  
Guest Molecules ◽  
Simulation Time ◽  
Average Occupancy

The inter-cage hopping in a type II clathrate hydrate with different numbers of H2 and D2 molecules, from 1 to 4 molecules per large cage, was studied using a classical molecular dynamics simulation at temperatures of 80 to 240 K. We present the results for the diffusion of these guest molecules (H2 or D2) at all of the different occupations and temperatures, and we also calculated the activation energy as the energy barrier for the diffusion using the Arrhenius equation. The average occupancy number over the simulation time showed that the structures with double and triple large-cage H2 occupancy appeared to be the most stable, while the small cages remained with only one guest molecule. A Markov model was also calculated based on the number of transitions between the different cage types.

scholarly journals Anti-TNF Alpha Antibody Humira with pH-dependent Binding Characteristics: A constant-pH Molecular Dynamics, Gaussian Accelerated Molecular Dynamics, and In Vitro Study

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
Shih-Ting Hong ◽  
Yu-Cheng Su ◽  
Yu-Jen Wang ◽  
Tian-Lu Cheng ◽  
Yeng-Tseng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Tnf Alpha ◽  
Complex Structures ◽  
Binding Characteristics ◽  
Accelerated Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Constant Ph ◽  
Ph Dependent ◽  
Constant Ph Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Antibody Drug

Humira is a monoclonal antibody that binds to TNF alpha, inactivates TNF alpha receptors, and inhibits inflammation. Neonatal Fc receptors can mediate the transcytosis of Humira–TNF alpha complex structures and process them toward degradation pathways, which reduces the therapeutic effect of Humira. Allowing the Humira–TNF alpha complex structures to dissociate to Humira and soluble TNF alpha in the early endosome to enable Humira recycling is crucial. We used the cytoplasmic pH (7.4), the early endosomal pH (6.0), and pKa of histidine side chains (6.0–6.4) to mutate the residues of complementarity-determining regions with histidine. Our engineered Humira (W1-Humira) can bind to TNF alpha in plasma at neutral pH and dissociate from the TNF alpha in the endosome at acidic pH. We used the constant-pH molecular dynamics, Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics, two-dimensional potential mean force profiles, and in vitro methods to investigate the characteristics of W1-Humira. Our results revealed that the proposed Humira can bind TNF alpha with pH-dependent affinity in vitro. The W1-Humira was weaker than wild-type Humira at neutral pH in vitro, and our prediction results were close to the in vitro results. Furthermore, our approach displayed a high accuracy in antibody pH-dependent binding characteristics prediction, which may facilitate antibody drug design. Advancements in computational methods and computing power may further aid in addressing the challenges in antibody drug design.

scholarly journals An Analysis Based on Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Bromelain as Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Variants

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trina Ekawati Tallei ◽  
Fatimawali ◽  
Afriza Yelnetty ◽  
Rinaldi Idroes ◽  
Diah Kusumawaty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The rapid spread of a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 has compelled the entire world to seek ways to weaken this virus, prevent its spread and also eliminate it. However, no drug has been approved to treat COVID-19. Furthermore, the receptor-binding domain (RBD) on this viral spike protein, as well as several other important parts of this virus, have recently undergone mutations, resulting in new virus variants. While no treatment is currently available, a naturally derived molecule with known antiviral properties could be used as a potential treatment. Bromelain is an enzyme found in the fruit and stem of pineapples. This substance has been shown to have a broad antiviral activity. In this article, we analyse the ability of bromelain to counteract various variants of the SARS-CoV-2 by targeting bromelain binding on the side of this viral interaction with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation approaches. We have succeeded in making three-dimensional configurations of various RBD variants using protein modelling. Bromelain exhibited good binding affinity toward various variants of RBDs and binds right at the binding site between RBDs and hACE2. This result is also presented in the modelling between Bromelain, RBD, and hACE2. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulations study revealed significant stability of the bromelain and RBD proteins separately up to 100 ns with an RMSD value of 2 Å. Furthermore, despite increases in RMSD and changes in Rog values of complexes, which are likely due to some destabilized interactions between bromelain and RBD proteins, two proteins in each complex remained bonded, and the site where the two proteins bind remained unchanged. This finding indicated that bromelain could have an inhibitory effect on different SARS-CoV-2 variants, paving the way for a new SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor drug. However, more in vitro and in vivo research on this potential mechanism of action is required.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document