scholarly journals Online homology modelling as a means of bridging the sequence-structure gap

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 299-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sheehan ◽  
Siobhán O’Sullivan
Author(s):  
Mubarak A. Alamri ◽  
Ahmed D. Alafnan ◽  
Obaid Afzal ◽  
Alhumaidi B. Alabbas ◽  
Safar M. Alqahtani

Background: The STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) is a component of WNKSPAK/OSR1 signaling pathway that plays an essential role in blood pressure regulation. The function of SPAK is mediated by its highly conserved C-terminal domain (CTD) that interacts with RFXV/I motifs of upstream activators, WNK kinases, and downstream substrate, cation-chloride cotransporters. Objective: To determine and validate the three-dimensional structure of the CTD of SPAK and to study and analyze its interaction with the RFXV/I motifs. Methods: A homology model of SPAK CTD was generated and validated through multiple approaches. The model was based on utilizing the OSR1 protein kinase as a template. This model was subjected to 100 ns molecular dynamic (MD) simulation to evaluate its dynamic stability. The final equilibrated model was used to dock the RFQV-peptide derived from WNK4 into the primary pocket that was determined based on the homology sequence between human SPAK and OSR1 CTDs. The mechanism of interaction, conformational rearrangement and dynamic stability of the binding of RFQV-peptide to SPAK CTD were characterized by molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation. Results: The MD simulation suggested that the binding of RFQV induces a large conformational change due to the distribution of salt bridge within the loop regions. These results may help in understanding the relation between the structure and function of SPAK CTD and to support drug design of potential SPAK kinase inhibitors as antihypertensive agents. Conclusion: This study provides deep insight into SPAK CTD structure and function relationship.


Genetics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 147 (3) ◽  
pp. 1213-1224
Author(s):  
Jean-Philippe Charles ◽  
Carol Chihara ◽  
Shamim Nejad ◽  
Lynn M Riddiford

A 36-kb genomic DNA segment of the Drosophila melanogaster genome containing 12 clustered cuticle genes has been mapped and partially sequenced. The cluster maps at 65A 5-6 on the left arm of the third chromosome, in agreement with the previously determined location of a putative cluster encompassing the genes for the third instar larval cuticle proteins LCP5, LCP6 and LCP8. This cluster is the largest cuticle gene cluster discovered to date and shows a number of surprising features that explain in part the genetic complexity of the LCP5, LCP6 and LCP8 loci. The genes encoding LCP5 and LCP8 are multiple copy genes and the presence of extensive similarity in their coding regions gives the first evidence for gene conversion in cuticle genes. In addition, five genes in the cluster are intronless. Four of these five have arisen by retroposition. The other genes in the cluster have a single intron located at an unusual location for insect cuticle genes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3793
Author(s):  
Sophie Blinker ◽  
Jocelyne Vreede ◽  
Peter Setlow ◽  
Stanley Brul

Bacillus subtilis forms dormant spores upon nutrient depletion. Germinant receptors (GRs) in spore’s inner membrane respond to ligands such as L-alanine, and trigger spore germination. In B. subtilis spores, GerA is the major GR, and has three subunits, GerAA, GerAB, and GerAC. L-Alanine activation of GerA requires all three subunits, but which binds L-alanine is unknown. To date, how GRs trigger germination is unknown, in particular due to lack of detailed structural information about B subunits. Using homology modelling with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we present structural predictions for the integral membrane protein GerAB. These predictions indicate that GerAB is an α-helical transmembrane protein containing a water channel. The MD simulations with free L-alanine show that alanine binds transiently to specific sites on GerAB. These results provide a starting point for unraveling the mechanism of L-alanine mediated signaling by GerAB, which may facilitate early events in spore germination.


2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (Suppl 4) ◽  
pp. S2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Bramucci ◽  
Alessandro Paiardini ◽  
Francesco Bossa ◽  
Stefano Pascarella

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Mordalski ◽  
T Kosciolek ◽  
A Ravna ◽  
I Sylte ◽  
AJ Bojarski

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yipeng Cao ◽  
Rui Yang ◽  
Imshik Lee ◽  
Wenwen Zhang ◽  
Jiana Sun ◽  
...  

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