scholarly journals Dynamics of aqueous peptide solutions in folded and disordered states examined by dynamic light scattering and dielectric spectroscopy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Humberto Melillo ◽  
Jan Gabriel ◽  
Florian Pabst ◽  
Thomas Blochowicz ◽  
Silvina Cerveny
Keyword(s):  
Light Scattering ◽  
Dynamic Light Scattering ◽  
Dielectric Spectroscopy ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins ◽  
Disordered Proteins ◽  
Segmental Dynamics ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy ◽  
Combining Data

Characterizing the segmental dynamics of proteins, and intrinsically disordered proteins in particular, is a challenge in biophysics. In this study, by combining data from broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and both...

scholarly journals Solvent-dependent segmental dynamics in intrinsically disordered proteins

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. eaax2348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Salvi ◽  
Anton Abyzov ◽  
Martin Blackledge
Keyword(s):  
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Nmr Relaxation ◽  
Bulk Water ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Disordered Proteins ◽  
Segmental Dynamics ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
And Function

Protein and water dynamics have a synergistic relationship, which is particularly important for intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), although the details of this coupling remain poorly understood. Here, we combine temperature-dependent molecular dynamics simulations using different water models with extensive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation to examine the importance of distinct modes of solvent and solute motion for the accurate reproduction of site-specific dynamics in IDPs. We find that water dynamics play a key role in motional processes internal to “segments” of IDPs, stretches of primary sequence that share dynamic properties and behave as discrete dynamic units. We identify a relationship between the time scales of intrasegment dynamics and the lifetime of hydrogen bonds in bulk water. Correct description of these motions is essential for accurate reproduction of protein relaxation. Our findings open important perspectives for understanding the role of hydration water on the behavior and function of IDPs in solution.

scholarly journals Detecting anisotropic segmental dynamics in disordered proteins by cross-correlated spin relaxation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 557-569
Author(s):  
Clemens Kauffmann ◽  
Irene Ceccolini ◽  
Georg Kontaxis ◽  
Robert Konrat
Keyword(s):  
Spin Relaxation ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins ◽  
Complex Dynamics ◽  
Disordered Proteins ◽  
Multiple Quantum ◽  
Ensemble Averaging ◽  
Segmental Dynamics ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Folded Proteins ◽  
Spin Pairs

Abstract. Among the numerous contributions of Geoffrey Bodenhausen to NMR spectroscopy, his developments in the field of spin-relaxation methodology and theory will definitely have a long lasting impact. Starting with his seminal contributions to the excitation of multiple-quantum coherences, he and his group thoroughly investigated the intricate relaxation properties of these “forbidden fruits” and developed experimental techniques to reveal the relevance of previously largely ignored cross-correlated relaxation (CCR) effects, as “the essential is invisible to the eyes”. Here we consider CCR within the challenging context of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and emphasize its potential and relevance for the studies of structural dynamics of IDPs in the future years to come. Conventionally, dynamics of globularly folded proteins are modeled and understood as deviations from otherwise rigid structures tumbling in solution. However, with increasing protein flexibility, as observed for IDPs, this apparent dichotomy between structure and dynamics becomes blurred. Although complex dynamics and ensemble averaging might impair the extraction of mechanistic details even further, spin relaxation uniquely encodes a protein's structural memory. Due to significant methodological developments, such as high-dimensional non-uniform sampling techniques, spin relaxation in IDPs can now be monitored in unprecedented resolution. Not embedded within a rigid globular fold, conventional 15N spin probes might not suffice to capture the inherently local nature of IDP dynamics. To better describe and understand possible segmental motions of IDPs, we propose an experimental approach to detect the signature of anisotropic segmental dynamics by quantifying cross-correlated spin relaxation of individual 15N1HN and 13C′13Cα spin pairs. By adapting Geoffrey Bodenhausen's symmetrical reconversion principle to obtain zero frequency spectral density values, we can define and demonstrate more sensitive means to characterize anisotropic dynamics in IDPs.

Sequence Specificity Despite Intrinsic Disorder: How a Disease-Associated Val/Met Polymorphism Shifts Tertiary Interactions in a Long Disordered Protein

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruchi Lohia ◽  
Reza Salari ◽  
Grace Brannigan
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Structure ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins ◽  
Disordered Proteins ◽  
Sequence Specificity ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Heterogeneous Polymer ◽  
Non Local ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

<div>The role of electrostatic interactions and mutations that change charge states in intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) is well-established, but many disease-associated mutations in IDPs are charge-neutral. The Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) encodes a hydrophobic-to-hydrophobic mutation at the midpoint of the prodomain of precursor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), one of the earliest SNPs to be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, for which the underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. Here we report on over 250 μs of fully-atomistic, explicit solvent, temperature replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations of the 91 residue BDNF prodomain, for both the V66 and M66 sequence.</div><div>The simulations were able to correctly reproduce the location of both local and non-local secondary changes due to the Val66Met mutation when compared with NMR spectroscopy. We find that the local structure change is mediated via entropic and sequence specific effects. We show that the highly disordered prodomain can be meaningfully divided into domains based on sequence alone. Monte Carlo simulations of a self-excluding heterogeneous polymer, with monomers representing each domain, suggest the sequence would be effectively segmented by the long, highly disordered polyampholyte near the sequence midpoint. This is qualitatively consistent with observed interdomain contacts within the BDNF prodomain, although contacts between the two segments are enriched relative to the self-excluding polymer. The Val66Met mutation increases interactions across the boundary between the two segments, due in part to a specific Met-Met interaction with a Methionine in the other segment. This effect propagates to cause the non-local change in secondary structure around the second methionine, previously observed in NMR. The effect is not mediated simply via changes in inter-domain contacts but is also dependent on secondary structure formation around residue 66, indicating a mechanism for secondary structure coupling in disordered proteins. </div>

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