Molecular Dynamics model of peptide-protein conjugation: case study of covalent complex between Sos1 peptide and N-terminal SH3 domain from Grb2.

We have investigated covalent conjugation of VPPPVPPRRRX' peptide (where X' denotes Nε-chloroacetyl lysine) to N-terminal SH3 domain from adapter protein Grb2. Our experimental results confirmed that the peptide first binds to the SH3 domain noncovalently before establishing a covalent linkage through reaction of X' with the target cysteine residue C32. We have also confirmed that this reaction involves a thiolate-anion form of C32 and follows the SN2 mechanism. For this system, we have developed a new MD-based protocol to model the formation of covalent conjugate. The simulation starts with the known coordinates of the noncovalent complex. When two reactive groups come into contact during the course of the simulation, the reaction is initiated. The reaction is modeled via gradual interpolation between the two sets of force field parameters that are representative of the noncovalent and covalent complexes. The simulation proceeds smoothly, with no appreciable perturbations to temperature, pressure or volume, and results in a high-quality MD model of the covalent complex. The validity of this model is confirmed using the experimental chemical shift data. The new MD-based approach offers a valuable tool to explore the mechanics of protein-peptide conjugation and build accurate models of covalent complexes.

A new structural arrangement in proteins involving lysine NH3+ group and carbonyl.

Screening of the Protein Data Bank led to identification of a recurring structural motif where lysine NH3+ group interacts with backbone carbonyl. This interaction is characterized by linear atom arrangement, with carbonyl O atom positioned on the three-fold symmetry axis of the NH3+ group (angle Cε-Nζ-O close to 180°, distance Nζ-O ca. 2.7-3.0 Å). Typically, this linear arrangement coexists with three regular hydrogen bonds formed by lysine NH3+ group (angle Cε-Nζ-acceptor atom close to 109°, distance Nζ-acceptor atom ca. 2.7-3.0 Å). Our DFT calculations using polarizable continuum environment suggest that this newly identified linear interaction makes an appreciable contribution to protein's energy balance, up to 2 kcal/mol. In the context of protein structure, linear interactions play a role in capping the C-termini of α-helices and 310-helices. Of note, linear interaction involving conserved lysine is consistently found in the P-loop of numerous NTPase domains, where it stabilizes the substrate-binding conformation of the P-loop. Linear interaction NH3+ - carbonyl represents an interesting example of ion-dipole interactions that has so far received little attention compared to ion-ion interactions (salt bridges) and dipole-dipole interactions (hydrogen bonds), but nevertheless represents a distinctive element of protein architecture.

Slow conformational exchange and overall rocking motion in ubiquitin protein crystals.

Proteins perform their functions in solution but their structures are most frequently studied inside crystals. Here we probe how the crystal packing alters microsecond dynamics, using solid-state NMR measurements and multi-microsecond MD simulations of different crystal forms of ubiquitin. In particular, near-rotary-resonance relaxation dispersion (NERRD) experiments probe angular backbone motion, while Bloch-McConnell relaxation dispersion data report on fluctuations of the local electronic environment. These experiments and simulations reveal that the packing of the protein can significantly alter the thermodynamics and kinetics of local conformational exchange. Moreover, we report small-amplitude reorientational motion of protein molecules in the crystal lattice with an ~3-5° amplitude on a tens-of-microseconds time scale in one of the crystals, but not in others. An intriguing possibility arises that overall motion is to some extent coupled to local dynamics. Our study highlights the importance of considering the packing when analyzing dynamics of crystalline proteins.X-ray crystallography is the main method for protein structure determination. Here the authors combine solid-state NMR measurements and molecular dynamics simulations and show that crystal packing alters the thermodynamics and kinetics of local conformational exchange as well as overall rocking motion of protein molecules in the crystal lattice.

Electrostatic Switch Function in the Mechanism of Protein Kinase A Iα Activation: Results of the Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

We used molecular dynamics to find the average path of the A-domain H → B conformational transition in protein kinase A Iα. We obtained thirteen productive trajectories and processed them sequentially using factor and cross-correlation analyses. The conformational transition is presented as partly deterministic sequence of six events. Event B represents H → B transition of the phosphate binding cassette. Main participants of this event form electrostatic switch cAMP(O6)-A202(N-H)-G199(C=O). Through this switch, cAMP transmits information about its binding to hydrophobic switch L203-Y229 and thus triggers conformational transition of A-domain. Events C and D consist in N3A-motif displacement towards phosphate binding cassette and B/C-helix rotation. Event E involves an increase in interaction energy between Y229 and ß-subdomain. Taken together, events B, E, and D correspond to the hinge movement towards ß-barrel. Transition of B/C-helix turn (a.a. 229-234) from α-form to π-form accounts for event F. Event G implies that π-helical turn is replaced by kink. Emerging in the resulting conformation, electrostatic interaction R241-E200 facilitates kink formation. The obtained data on the mechanism of cAMP-dependent activation of PKA Iα may contribute to new approaches to designing pharmaceuticals based on cAMP analogs.

Role of arginine 209 in the conformational transition of the protein kinase A regulatory subunit RIα A-domain.

Using the combination of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and geometric clustering we analyzed the role of arginine at 209 position in the transition of protein kinase A Iα (PKA Iα) regulatory subunit A-domain from H- to B-conformation and stabilization of the latter. The mechanism underlying the role of the residue at position 209 in the realization of B-conformation includes: (1) possibility to bind the ligand tightly (if transition happens in the presence of cAMP), (2) capability to hold ß2ß3-loop in the correct conformation, (3) tendency of residue at 209 position to stabilize B-conformation in the absence and in presence of the ligand. In terms of the effect produced on transition of A-domain from H- to B-conformation in the presence of cAMP, mutational substitutions for R209 can be arranged in the following order: Glu(Gly)>Lys>Ile. In the absence of cAMP the order is different Lys>Gly>Glu>Ile. Thus, our results allow us to presume that the role of arginine at 209 position can be important though not crucial.