scholarly journals Role of allosteric switches and adaptor domains in long-distance cross-talk and transient tunnel formation

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (14) ◽  
pp. eaay7919
Author(s):  
Nandini Sharma ◽  
Navjeet Ahalawat ◽  
Padmani Sandhu ◽  
Erick Strauss ◽  
Jagannath Mondal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Interface Control ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Catalytic Loop ◽  
Ammonia Tunnel ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Transient tunnels that assemble and disassemble to facilitate passage of unstable intermediates in enzymes containing multiple reaction centers are controlled by allosteric cues. Using the 140-kDa purine biosynthetic enzyme PurL as a model system and a combination of biochemical and x-ray crystallographic studies, we show that long-distance communication between ~25-Å distal active sites is initiated by an allosteric switch, residing in a conserved catalytic loop, adjacent to the synthetase active site. Further, combinatory experiments seeded from molecular dynamics simulations help to delineate transient states that bring out the central role of nonfunctional adaptor domains. We show that carefully orchestrated conformational changes, facilitated by interplay of dynamic interactions at the allosteric switch and adaptor-domain interface, control reactivity and concomitant formation of the ammonia tunnel. This study asserts that substrate channeling is modulated by allosteric hotspots that alter protein energy landscape, thereby allowing the protein to adopt transient conformations paramount to function.

scholarly journals Dynamics and fragmentation mechanism of (C5H4CH3)Pt(CH3)3 on SiO2 surfaces

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 711-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaliappan Muthukumar ◽  
Harald O Jeschke ◽  
Roser Valentí
Keyword(s):  
Electron Beam ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Fragmentation Mechanism ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Surface Active ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Precursor Molecules

The interaction of trimethyl(methylcyclopentadienyl)platinum(IV) ((C5H4CH3)Pt(CH3)3) molecules on fully and partially hydroxylated SiO2 surfaces, as well as the dynamics of this interaction were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and finite temperature DFT-based molecular dynamics simulations. Fully and partially hydroxylated surfaces represent substrates before and after electron beam treatment and this study examines the role of electron beam pretreatment on the substrates in the initial stages of precursor dissociation and formation of Pt deposits. Our simulations show that on fully hydroxylated surfaces or untreated surfaces, the precursor molecules remain inactivated while we observe fragmentation of (C5H4CH3)Pt(CH3)3 on partially hydroxylated surfaces. The behavior of precursor molecules on the partially hydroxylated surfaces has been found to depend on the initial orientation of the molecule and the distribution of surface active sites. Based on the observations from the simulations and available experiments, we discuss possible dissociation channels of the precursor.

Chloride-dependent conformational changes in the GlyT1 glycine transporter

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-Wei Zhang ◽  
Stacy Uchendu ◽  
Vanessa Leone ◽  
Richard T. Bradshaw ◽  
Ntumba Sangwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Ion Pair ◽  
Cysteine Residues ◽  
Glycine Transporter ◽  
Open Conformation ◽  
Transporter Family ◽  
Transport Cycle ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractThe human GlyT1 glycine transporter requires chloride for its function. However, the mechanism by which Cl- exerts its influence is unknown. To examine the role that Cl- plays in the transport cycle, we measured the effect of Cl- on both glycine binding and conformational changes. The ability of glycine to displace the high-affinity radioligand [3H]CHIBA-3007 required Na+ and was potentiated over 1000-fold by Cl-. We generated GlyT1b mutants containing reactive cysteine residues in either the extracellular or cytoplasmic permeation pathways and measured changes in the reactivity of those cysteine residues as indicators of conformational changes in response to ions and substrate. Na+ increased accessibility in the extracellular pathway and decreased it in the cytoplasmic pathway, consistent with stabilizing an outward-open conformation as observed in other members of this transporter family. In the presence of Na+, both glycine and Cl- independently shifted the conformation of GlyT1b toward an outward-closed conformation. Together, Na+, glycine and Cl- stabilized an inward-open conformation of GlyT1b. We then examined whether Cl- acts by interacting with a conserved glutamine to allow formation of an ion pair that stabilizes the closed state of the extracellular pathway. Molecular dynamics simulations of a GlyT1 homologue indicated that this ion pair is formed more frequently as that pathway closes. Mutation of the glutamine blocked the effect of Cl-, and substituting it with glutamate or lysine resulted in outward- or inward-facing transporter conformations, respectively. These results provide novel and unexpected insight into the role of Cl- in this family of transporters.

scholarly journals Biased Brownian Motion of KIF1A and the Role of Tubulin’s C-Terminal Tail Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1547
Author(s):  
Yukinobu Mizuhara ◽  
Mitsunori Takano
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Brownian Motion ◽  
Energy Landscape ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Family Protein ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Kinesin Family

KIF1A is a kinesin family protein that moves over a long distance along the microtubule (MT) to transport synaptic vesicle precursors in neurons. A single KIF1A molecule can move toward the plus-end of MT in the monomeric form, exhibiting the characteristics of biased Brownian motion. However, how the bias is generated in the Brownian motion of KIF1A has not yet been firmly established. To elucidate this, we conducted a set of molecular dynamics simulations and observed the binding of KIF1A to MT. We found that KIF1A exhibits biased Brownian motion along MT as it binds to MT. Furthermore, we show that the bias toward the plus-end is generated by the ratchet-like energy landscape for the KIF1A-MT interaction, in which the electrostatic interaction and the negatively-charged C-terminal tail (CTT) of tubulin play an essential role. The relevance to the post-translational modifications of CTT is also discussed.

scholarly journals Chloride-dependent conformational changes in the GlyT1 glycine transporter

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (10) ◽  
pp. e2017431118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-Wei Zhang ◽  
Stacy Uchendu ◽  
Vanessa Leone ◽  
Richard T. Bradshaw ◽  
Ntumba Sangwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Ion Pair ◽  
Cysteine Residues ◽  
Glycine Transporter ◽  
Open Conformation ◽  
Transporter Family ◽  
Transport Cycle ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Insight Into

The human GlyT1 glycine transporter requires chloride for its function. However, the mechanism by which Cl− exerts its influence is unknown. To examine the role that Cl− plays in the transport cycle, we measured the effect of Cl− on both glycine binding and conformational changes. The ability of glycine to displace the high-affinity radioligand [3H]CHIBA-3007 required Na+ and was potentiated over 1,000-fold by Cl−. We generated GlyT1b mutants containing reactive cysteine residues in either the extracellular or cytoplasmic permeation pathways and measured changes in the reactivity of those cysteine residues as indicators of conformational changes in response to ions and substrate. Na+ increased accessibility in the extracellular pathway and decreased it in the cytoplasmic pathway, consistent with stabilizing an outward-open conformation as observed in other members of this transporter family. In the presence of Na+, both glycine and Cl− independently shifted the conformation of GlyT1b toward an outward-closed conformation. Together, Na+, glycine, and Cl− stabilized an inward-open conformation of GlyT1b. We then examined whether Cl− acts by interacting with a conserved glutamine to allow formation of an ion pair that stabilizes the closed state of the extracellular pathway. Molecular dynamics simulations of a GlyT1 homolog indicated that this ion pair is formed more frequently as that pathway closes. Mutation of the glutamine blocked the effect of Cl−, and substituting it with glutamate or lysine resulted in outward- or inward-facing transporter conformations, respectively. These results provide an unexpected insight into the role of Cl− in this family of transporters.

scholarly journals Critical role of backbone coordination in the mRNA recognition by RNA induced silencing complex

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lizhe Zhu ◽  
Hanlun Jiang ◽  
Siqin Cao ◽  
Ilona Christy Unarta ◽  
Xin Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
General Mechanism ◽  
Seed Region ◽  
Trap State ◽  
Biomolecular Systems ◽  
Target Mrna ◽  
Argonaute 2 ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

AbstractDespite its functional importance, the molecular mechanism underlying target mRNA recognition by Argonaute (Ago) remains largely elusive. Based on extensive all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we constructed quasi-Markov State Model (qMSM) to reveal the dynamics during recognition at position 6-7 in the seed region of human Argonaute 2 (hAgo2). Interestingly, we found that the slowest mode of motion therein is not the gRNA-target base-pairing, but the coordination of the target phosphate groups with a set of positively charged residues of hAgo2. Moreover, the ability of Helix-7 to approach the PIWI and MID domains was found to reduce the effective volume accessible to the target mRNA and therefore facilitate both the backbone coordination and base-pair formation. Further mutant simulations revealed that alanine mutation of the D358 residue on Helix-7 enhanced a trap state to slow down the loading of target mRNA. Similar trap state was also observed when wobble pairs were introduced in g6 and g7, indicating the role of Helix-7 in suppressing non-canonical base-paring. Our study pointed to a general mechanism for mRNA recognition by eukaryotic Agos and demonstrated the promise of qMSM in investigating complex conformational changes of biomolecular systems.

scholarly journals Unexpected Enzyme TEM-126: Role of Mutation Asp179Glu

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 4280-4287 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Delmas ◽  
F. Robin ◽  
F. Bittar ◽  
C. Chanal ◽  
R. Bonnet
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Hydrolytic Activity ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Omega Loop ◽  
Synergy Test ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Apparent Susceptibility ◽  
Level Resistance

ABSTRACT The clinical isolate Escherichia coli CF884 exhibited low-level resistance to ceftazidime (4 μg/ml) by a positive double-disk synergy test and apparent susceptibility to cefuroxime, cefotaxime, cefepime, cefpirome, and aztreonam. The enzyme implicated in this phenotype was a novel 180-kb plasmid-encoded TEM-type extended-spectrum β-lactamase designated TEM-126 which harbors the mutations Asp179Glu and Met182Thr. TEM-126 exhibited significant hydrolytic activity (k cat, 2 s−1) and a Km value of 82 μM against ceftazidime. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the substitution Asp179Glu induces subtle conformational changes to the omega loop which may favor the insertion of ceftazidime in the binding site and the correct positioning of the crucial residue Glu166. Overall, these results highlight the remarkable plasticity of TEM enzymes, which can expand their activity against ceftazidime by the addition of one carbon atom in the side chain of residue 179.

scholarly journals Alternative proton-binding site and long-distance coupling inEscherichia colisodium–proton antiporter NhaA

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (41) ◽  
pp. 25517-25522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack A. Henderson ◽  
Yandong Huang ◽  
Oliver Beckstein ◽  
Jana Shen
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Transport Mechanism ◽  
Coupled Transport ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Electrogenic Transport ◽  
Proton Binding ◽  
Binding Residue ◽  
Constant Ph ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Escherichia coliNhaA is a prototypical sodium–proton antiporter responsible for maintaining cellular ion and volume homeostasis by exchanging two protons for one sodium ion; despite two decades of research, the transport mechanism of NhaA remains poorly understood. Recent crystal structure and computational studies suggested Lys300 as a second proton-binding site; however, functional measurements of several K300 mutants demonstrated electrogenic transport, thereby casting doubt on the role of Lys300. To address the controversy, we carried out state-of-the-art continuous constant pH molecular dynamics simulations of NhaA mutants K300A, K300R, K300Q/D163N, and K300Q/D163N/D133A. Simulations suggested that K300 mutants maintain the electrogenic transport by utilizing an alternative proton-binding residue Asp133. Surprisingly, while Asp133 is solely responsible for binding the second proton in K300R, Asp133 and Asp163 jointly bind the second proton in K300A, and Asp133 and Asp164 jointly bind two protons in K300Q/D163N. Intriguingly, the coupling between Asp133 and Asp163 or Asp164 is enabled through the proton-coupled hydrogen-bonding network at the flexible intersection of two disrupted helices. These data resolve the controversy and highlight the intricacy of the compensatory transport mechanism of NhaA mutants. Alternative proton-binding site and proton sharing between distant aspartates may represent important general mechanisms of proton-coupled transport in secondary active transporters.

scholarly journals Molecular insights into the surface-catalyzed secondary nucleation of amyloid-β40 (Aβ40) by the peptide fragment Aβ16–22

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. eaav8216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel J. Bunce ◽  
Yiming Wang ◽  
Katie L. Stewart ◽  
Alison E. Ashcroft ◽  
Sheena E. Radford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Random Coil ◽  
Peptide Fragments ◽  
Secondary Nucleation ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Structural Mechanism ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Transient Intermediates ◽  
Amyloid Assembly ◽  
Amyloid Diseases

Understanding the structural mechanism by which proteins and peptides aggregate is crucial, given the role of fibrillar aggregates in debilitating amyloid diseases and bioinspired materials. Yet, this is a major challenge as the assembly involves multiple heterogeneous and transient intermediates. Here, we analyze the co-aggregation of Aβ40 and Aβ16–22, two widely studied peptide fragments of Aβ42 implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. We demonstrate that Aβ16–22 increases the aggregation rate of Aβ40 through a surface-catalyzed secondary nucleation mechanism. Discontinuous molecular dynamics simulations allowed aggregation to be tracked from the initial random coil monomer to the catalysis of nucleation on the fibril surface. Together, the results provide insight into how dynamic interactions between Aβ40 monomers/oligomers on the surface of preformed Aβ16–22 fibrils nucleate Aβ40 amyloid assembly. This new understanding may facilitate development of surfaces designed to enhance or suppress secondary nucleation and hence to control the rates and products of fibril assembly.

scholarly journals Conformational Changes of Glutamine 5′-Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate Amidotransferase for Two Substrates Analogue Binding: Insight from Conventional Molecular Dynamics and Accelerated Molecular Dynamics Simulations

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Congcong Li ◽  
Siao Chen ◽  
Tianci Huang ◽  
Fangning Zhang ◽  
Jiawei Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Salt Bridge ◽  
Enhanced Sampling ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Accelerated Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Flexible Loop ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate Amidotransferase

Glutamine 5′-phosphoribosylpyrophosphate amidotransferase (GPATase) catalyzes the synthesis of phosphoribosylamine, pyrophosphate, and glutamate from phosphoribosylpyrophosphate, as well as glutamine at two sites (i.e., glutaminase and phosphoribosylpyrophosphate sites), through a 20 Å NH3 channel. In this study, conventional molecular dynamics (cMD) simulations and enhanced sampling accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) simulations were integrated to characterize the mechanism for coordination catalysis at two separate active sites in the enzyme. Results of cMD simulations illustrated the mechanism by which two substrate analogues, namely, DON and cPRPP, affect the structural stability of GPATase from the perspective of dynamic behavior. aMD simulations obtained several key findings. First, a comparison of protein conformational changes in the complexes of GPATase–DON and GPATase–DON–cPRPP showed that binding cPRPP to the PRTase flexible loop (K326 to L350) substantially effected the formation of the R73-DON salt bridge. Moreover, only the PRTase flexible loop in the GPATase–DON–cPRPP complex could remain closed and had sufficient space for cPRPP binding, indicating that binding of DON to the glutamine loop had an impact on the PRTase flexible loop. Finally, both DON and cPRPP tightly bonded to the two domains, thereby inducing the glutamine loop and the PRTase flexible loop to move close to each other. This movement facilitated the transfer of NH3 via the NH3 channel. These theoretical results are useful to the ongoing research on efficient inhibitors related to GPATase.

Role of spectrin in membrane fusion and in shape change of human erythrocyte ghost

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-329
Author(s):  
Hideo Hayashi ◽  
Yoshikazu Hirai ◽  
John T. Penniston
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Human Erythrocyte ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Slight Modification ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Bank Blood ◽  
Human Erythrocyte Ghost

Spectrin is a membrane associated protein most of which properties have been tentatively elucidated. A main role of the protein has been assumed to give a supporting structure to inside of the membrane. As reported previously, however, the isolated spectrin molecule underwent self assemble to form such as fibrous, meshwork, dispersed or aggregated arrangements depending upon the buffer suspended and was suggested to play an active role in the membrane conformational changes. In this study, the role of spectrin and actin was examined in terms of the molecular arrangements on the erythrocyte membrane surface with correlation to the functional states of the ghosts.Human erythrocyte ghosts were prepared from either freshly drawn or stocked bank blood by the method of Dodge et al with a slight modification as described before. Anti-spectrin antibody was raised against rabbit by injection of purified spectrin and partially purified.

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