scholarly journals Elucidating molecular connetion between IAHSP onset and Alsin protein by means of Homology Modelling and Molecular Dynamics

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Miceli ◽  
Cecile Exertier ◽  
Beatrice Vallone ◽  
Marco Cavaglià ◽  
Marco A. Deriu
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Modelling ◽  
Atomic Structure ◽  
Homology Modelling ◽  
Complete Understanding ◽  
Spastic Paralysis ◽  
Aberrant Behaviour ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Folding Dynamics ◽  
Modelling Techniques

The Infantile-onset Ascending Hereditary Spastic Paralysis (IAHSP) is an incurable rare neurodegerative disease related to a mutation-driven aberrant behaviour of the Alsin protein. The lack of information on Alsin atomic structure limits a complete understanding on pathology mechanisms. In this work, molecular modelling techniques have been applied to shed lights on Alsin folding dynamics and misfunction induced by aberrant mutations.

scholarly journals 3D Molecular Modelling Study of the H7N9 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase as an Emerging Pharmacological Target

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Vlachakis ◽  
Argiro Karozou ◽  
Sophia Kossida
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Molecular Modelling ◽  
Homology Modelling ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽  
Major Drawback ◽  
Virus Rna ◽  
Modelling Techniques ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Structural Insights

Currently not much is known about the H7N9 strain, and this is the major drawback for a scientific strategy to tackle this virus. Herein, the 3D complex structure of the H7N9 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase has been established using a repertoire of molecular modelling techniques including homology modelling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Strikingly, it was found that the oligonucleotide cleft and tunnel in the H7N9 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase are structurally very similar to the corresponding region on the hepatitis C virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase crystal structure. A direct comparison and a 3D postdynamics analysis of the 3D complex of the H7N9 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase provide invaluable clues and insight regarding the role and mode of action of a series of interacting residues on the latter enzyme. Our study provides a novel and efficiently intergraded platform with structural insights for the H7N9 RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase. We propose that future use and exploitation of these insights may prove invaluable in the fight against this lethal, ongoing epidemic.

2D X-ray diffraction and molecular modelling of the crystalline structure of polyesters under uniaxial stress

2021 ◽  
pp. 096739112199822
Author(s):  
Ahmed I Abou-Kandil ◽  
Gerhard Goldbeck
Keyword(s):  
Crystalline Structure ◽  
Molecular Modelling ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Uniaxial Stress ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Modelling Techniques ◽  
Diffraction Patterns

Studying the crystalline structure of uniaxially and biaxially drawn polyesters is of great importance due to their wide range of applications. In this study, we shed some light on the behaviour of PET and PEN under uniaxial stress using experimental and molecular modelling techniques. Comparing experiment with modelling provides insights into polymer crystallisation with extended chains. Experimental x-ray diffraction patterns are reproduced by means of models of chains sliding along the c-axis leading to some loss of three-dimensional order, i.e. moving away from the condition of perfect register of the fully extended chains in triclinic crystals of both PET and PEN. This will help us understand the mechanism of polymer crystallisation under uniaxial stress and the appearance of mesophases in some cases as discussed herein.

scholarly journals Molecular modelling of the nucleotide-binding domain of Wilson's disease protein: location of the ATP-binding site, domain dynamics and potential effects of the major disease mutations

2004 ◽  
Vol 382 (1) ◽  
pp. 293-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman G. EFREMOV ◽  
Yuri A. KOSINSKY ◽  
Dmitry E. NOLDE ◽  
Ruslan TSIVKOVSKII ◽  
Alexander S. ARSENIEV ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Molecular Modelling ◽  
Wilson’S Disease ◽  
Wilson's Disease ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Atp Binding ◽  
Disease Mutations ◽  
Disease Protein ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

WNDP (Wilson's disease protein) is a copper-transporting ATPase that plays an essential role in human physiology. Mutations in WNDP result in copper accumulation in tissues and cause a severe hepato-neurological disorder known as Wilson's disease. Several mutations were surmised to affect the nucleotide binding and hydrolysis by WNDP; however, how the nucleotides bind to normal and mutated WNDP remains unknown. To aid such studies, we performed the molecular modelling of the spatial structure and dynamics of the ATP-binding domain of WNDP and its interactions with ATP. The three-dimensional models of this domain in two conformations were built using the X-ray structures of the Ca2+-ATPase in the E1 and E2 states. To study the functional aspects of the models, they were subjected to long-term molecular dynamics simulations in an explicit solvent; similar calculations were performed for the ATP-binding domain of Ca2+-ATPase. In both cases, we found large-scale motions that lead to significant changes of distances between several functionally important residues. The ATP docking revealed two possible modes of ATP binding: via adenosine buried in the cleft near residues H1069, R1151 and D1164, and via phosphate moiety ‘anchored’ by H-bonds with residues in the vicinity of catalytic D1027. Furthermore, interaction of ATP with both sites occurs if they are spatially close to each other. This may be achieved after relative domain motions of the ‘closure’ type observed in molecular dynamics simulations. The results provide a framework for analysis of disease mutations and for future mutagenesis studies.

scholarly journals Computational Ion Channel Research: from the Application of Artificial Intelligence to Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (S3) ◽  
pp. 14-45
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Ion Channels ◽  
Ion Channel ◽  
Computational Methods ◽  
Homology Modelling ◽  
Channel Structure ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Qsar Analysis ◽  
Wide Range

Although ion channels are crucial in many physiological processes and constitute an important class of drug targets, much is still unclear about their function and possible malfunctions that lead to diseases. In recent years, computational methods have evolved into important and invaluable approaches for studying ion channels and their functions. This is mainly due to their demanding mechanism of action where a static picture of an ion channel structure is often insufficient to fully understand the underlying mechanism. Therefore, the use of computational methods is as important as chemical-biological based experimental methods for a better understanding of ion channels. This review provides an overview on a variety of computational methods and software specific to the field of ion-channels. Artificial intelligence (or more precisely machine learning) approaches are applied for the sequence-based prediction of ion channel family, or topology of the transmembrane region. In case sufficient data on ion channel modulators is available, these methods can also be applied for quantitative structureactivity relationship (QSAR) analysis. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations combined with computational molecular design methods such as docking can be used for analysing the function of ion channels including ion conductance, different conformational states, binding sites and ligand interactions, and the influence of mutations on their function. In the absence of a three-dimensional protein structure, homology modelling can be applied to create a model of your ion channel structure of interest. Besides highlighting a wide range of successful applications, we will also provide a basic introduction to the most important computational methods and discuss best practices to get a rough idea of possible applications and risks.

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