scholarly journals The pH Effects on SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins in the Process of Binding to hACE2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yixin Xie ◽  
Wenhan Guo ◽  
Alan Lopez-Hernadez ◽  
Shaolei Teng ◽  
Lin Li
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Bonds ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Ph Dependence ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Ph Effects ◽  
Approaches To Study ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Key Residues ◽  
S Proteins

Abstract COVID-19 has been threatening human health since the late 2019, which has significant impact on human health and economy. Understanding the SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses is important to develop effective treatments for COVID-19 and other coronaviruses-caused diseases. In this work, we applied multi-scale computational approaches to study the electrostatic features of spike (S) proteins for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. From our results, we found thatSARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 have similar charge distributions and electrostatic features when binding with the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). The energy pH-dependence calculation srevealed that the complex structures of hACE2 and the S proteins of SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 are stable at pH values ranging from 7.5 to 9. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed using NAMD to investigate the hydrogen bonds between S proteins and hACE2. From the MD simulations it was found that SARS-CoV-2 has four pairsof essential hydrogenbonds (high occupancy, >80%), while SARS-CoV has three pairs, which indicates the SARS-CoV-2 S protein has relatively more robust binding strategy than SARS-CoVS protein.Four key residues forming essential hydrogen bonds from SARS-CoV-2 are identified, which are potential drug targets for COVID-19 treatments. The findings in this study shed lights on the current and future treatments for COVID-19 and other coronaviruses-caused diseases.

scholarly journals The β-cyclodextrin/benzene complex and its hydrogen bonds – a theoretical study using molecular dynamics, quantum mechanics and COSMO-RS

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 118-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jutta Erika Helga Köhler ◽  
Nicole Grczelschak-Mick
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Hydrogen Bonds ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Benzene Molecule ◽  
Glucose Unit ◽  
Hand Orientation ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
The Right

Four highly ordered hydrogen-bonded models of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and its inclusion complex with benzene were investigated by three different theoretical methods: classical quantum mechanics (QM) on AM1 and on the BP/TZVP-DISP3 level of approximation, and thirdly by classical molecular dynamics simulations (MD) at different temperatures (120 K and 273 to 300 K). The hydrogen bonds at the larger O2/O3 rim of empty β-CDs prefer the right-hand orientation, e.g., O3-H…O2-H in the same glucose unit and bifurcated towards …O4 and O3 of the next glucose unit on the right side. On AM1 level the complex energy was −2.75 kcal mol−1 when the benzene molecule was located parallel inside the β-CD cavity and −2.46 kcal mol−1 when it was positioned vertically. The AM1 HOMO/LUMO gap of the empty β-CD with about 12 eV is lowered to about 10 eV in the complex, in agreement with data from the literature. AM1 IR spectra displayed a splitting of the O–H frequencies of cyclodextrin upon complex formation. At the BP/TZVP-DISP3 level the parallel and vertical positions from the starting structures converged to a structure where benzene assumes a more oblique position (−20.16 kcal mol−1 and −20.22 kcal mol−1, resp.) as was reported in the literature. The character of the COSMO-RS σ-surface of β-CD was much more hydrophobic on its O6 rim than on its O2/O3 side when all hydrogen bonds were arranged in a concerted mode. This static QM picture of the β-CD/benzene complex at 0 K was extended by MD simulations. At 120 K benzene was mobile but always stayed inside the cavity of β-CD. The trajectories at 273, 280, 290 and 300 K certainly no longer displayed the highly ordered hydrogen bonds of β-CD and benzene occupied many different positions inside the cavity, before it left the β-CD finally at its O2/O3 side.

Study of the Hydrogen Bond Network in sub-and supercritical Water by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

2001 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 579-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Krishtal ◽  
M. Kiselev ◽  
Y. Puhovski ◽  
T. Kerdcharoen ◽  
S. Hannongbua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Bonds ◽  
Critical Point ◽  
Supercritical Water ◽  
Diffusion Coefficients ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Saturation Curve ◽  
Hydrogen Bond Network ◽  
Self Diffusion ◽  
Bond Network ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Abstract For 12 points along the tangent to the saturation curve at the critical point the temperature dependen­cies of the heights of the first maximum in the 0 -0 RDF, the average number of hydrogen bonds, and the self-diffusion coefficients have been calculated from MD simulations. The curves of these three properties show an inflection near the critical point. To improve the understanding of these changes in going from subcritical to supercritical water the librational spectra and the change in the fractions of wa­ter molecules with a given number of hydrogen bonds as a function of temperature have been derived from the simulations, additionally.

scholarly journals Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations for GPCR Drug Discovery

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Zou ◽  
John Ewalt ◽  
Ho-Leung Ng
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Protein Activation ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
G Protein Coupled

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are critical drug targets. GPCRs convey signals from the extracellular to the intracellular environment through G proteins. There is evidence that some ligands that bind to the GPCRs activate different downstream signaling pathways. G protein activation or -arrestin biased signaling involves ligands binding to receptors and stabilizing conformations that trigger a specific pathway. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are especially valuable for obtaining detailed mechanistic information, including identification of allosteric sites and understanding modulators' interactions between receptors and ligands. Here, we highlight recent simulation studies and methods used to study biased G protein-coupled receptor signaling and their conformational dynamics. We also highlight applications of MD simulations to drug discovery.

scholarly journals An equilibrium constant pH molecular dynamics method for accurate prediction of pH-dependence in protein systems: Theory and application

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Kots ◽  
Derek M. Shore ◽  
Harel Weinstein
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Equilibrium Constant ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Ph Dependence ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Conformational Sampling ◽  
Ph Change ◽  
Constant Ph ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

ABSTRACTComputational modeling and simulation of biomolecular systems at their functional pH ranges requires an accurate approach to exploring the pH dependence of conformations and interactions. Here we present a new approach – the Equilibrium Constant pH (ECpH) method – to perform conformational sampling of protein systems in the framework of molecular dynamics simulations in an N, P, T-thermodynamic ensemble. The performance of ECpH is illustrated for two proteins with experimentally determined conformational responses to pH change: the small globular water-soluble bovine b-lactoglobulin (BBL), and the dimer transmembrane antiporter CLC-ec1 Cl−/H+. We show that with computational speeds comparable to equivalent canonical MD simulations we performed, the ECpH trajectories reproduce accurately the pH-dependent conformational changes observed experimentally in these two protein systems, some of which were not seen in the corresponding canonical MD simulations.Abstract FigureTable of Contents artwork

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Adenosine Receptors: Advances, Applications and Trends

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 783-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nizar A. Al-Shar'i ◽  
Qosay A. Al-Balas
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Adenosine Receptors ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Structural And Functional Properties ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

: Adenosine receptors (ARs) are transmembrane proteins that belong to the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) superfamily and mediate the biological functions of adenosine. To date, four AR subtypes are known, namely A1, A2A, A2B and A3 that exhibit different signaling pathways, tissue localization, and mechanisms of activation. Moreover, the widespread ARs and their implication in numerous physiological and pathophysiological conditions had made them pivotal therapeutic targets for developing clinically effective agents. : The crystallographic success in identifying the 3D crystal structures of A2A and A1 ARs has dramatically enriched our understanding of their structural and functional properties such as ligand binding and signal transduction. This, in turn, has provided a structural basis for a larger contribution of computational methods, particularly molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, toward further investigation of their molecular properties and designing bioactive ligands with therapeutic potential. MD simulation has been proved to be an invaluable tool in investigating ARs and providing answers to some critical questions. For example, MD has been applied in studying ARs in terms of ligand-receptor interactions, molecular recognition, allosteric modulations, dimerization, and mechanisms of activation, collectively aiding in the design of subtype selective ligands. : In this review, we focused on the advances and different applications of MD simulations utilized to study the structural and functional aspects of ARs that can foster the structure-based design of drug candidates. In addition, relevant literature was briefly discussed which establishes a starting point for future advances in the field of drug discovery to this pivotal group of drug targets.

scholarly journals Effect of mutations on binding of ligands to guanine riboswitch probed by free energy perturbation and molecular dynamics simulations

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (13) ◽  
pp. 6618-6631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianzhong Chen ◽  
Xingyu Wang ◽  
Laixue Pang ◽  
John Z H Zhang ◽  
Tong Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Free Energy ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Free Energy Perturbation ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Free Energy Decomposition ◽  
Energy Perturbation ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Potential Drug Targets

Abstract Riboswitches can regulate gene expression by direct and specific interactions with ligands and have recently attracted interest as potential drug targets for antibacterial. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, free energy perturbation (FEP) and molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) methods were integrated to probe the effect of mutations on the binding of ligands to guanine riboswitch (GR). The results not only show that binding free energies predicted by FEP and MM-GBSA obtain an excellent correlation, but also indicate that mutations involved in the current study can strengthen the binding affinity of ligands GR. Residue-based free energy decomposition was applied to compute ligand-nucleotide interactions and the results suggest that mutations highly affect interactions of ligands with key nucleotides U22, U51 and C74. Dynamics analyses based on MD trajectories indicate that mutations not only regulate the structural flexibility but also change the internal motion modes of GR, especially for the structures J12, J23 and J31, which implies that the aptamer domain activity of GR is extremely plastic and thus readily tunable by nucleotide mutations. This study is expected to provide useful molecular basis and dynamics information for the understanding of the function of GR and possibility as potential drug targets for antibacterial.

scholarly journals A detailed picture of a protein–carbohydrate hydrogen-bonding network revealed by NMR and MD simulations

Glycobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustav Nestor ◽  
Alessandro Ruda ◽  
Taigh Anderson ◽  
Stefan Oscarson ◽  
Göran Widmalm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Bonding ◽  
Hydrogen Bonds ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Protein Backbone ◽  
Carbohydrate Ligands ◽  
Hydrogen Bonding Network ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Hydroxyl Protons

Abstract Cyanovirin-N (CV-N) is a cyanobacterial lectin with antiviral activity towards HIV and several other viruses. Here, we identify mannoside hydroxyl protons that are hydrogen bonded to the protein backbone of the CV-N domain B binding site, using NMR spectroscopy. For the two carbohydrate ligands Manα(1→2)ManαOMe and Manα(1→2) Manα(1→6)ManαOMe five hydroxyl protons are involved in hydrogen-bonding networks. Comparison with previous crystallographic results revealed that four of these hydroxyl protons donate hydrogen bonds to protein backbone carbonyl oxygens in solution and in the crystal. Hydrogen bonds were not detected between the side chains of Glu41 and Arg76 with sugar hydroxyls, as previously proposed for CV-N binding of mannosides. Molecular dynamics simulations of the CV-N/Manα(1→2)Manα(1→6)ManαOMe complex confirmed the NMR-determined hydrogen-bonding network. Detailed characterization of CV-N/mannoside complexes provides a better understanding of lectin-carbohydrate interactions and opens up to the use of CV-N and similar lectins as antiviral agents.

Rationalizing the pH-Activity Response for Escherichia Coli’s Glycinamide Ribonucleotidetransformylase Through Computational Methods

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Roitberg ◽  
Pancham Lal Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Transfer Reaction ◽  
Catalytic Mechanism ◽  
Ph Dependence ◽  
Ph Effects ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Gar Tfase ◽  
Activity Curve ◽  
Ph Dependent ◽  
Formyl Transfer

<div>Human Glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase (GAR Tfase), a regulatory enzyme in the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway, has been established as an anti-cancer target. GAR Tfase catalyzes the formyl transfer reaction from the folate cofactor to the GAR ligand. In the present work, we study E. coli GAR Tfase, which has high sequence similarity with the human GAR Tfase with most functional residues conserved. E. coli GAR Tfase exhibits structural changes and the binding of ligands that varies with pH which leads to change the rate of the formyl transfer reaction in a pH-dependent manner. Thus, the inclusion of pH becomes essential for the study of its catalytic mechanism. Experimentally, the pH-dependence of the kinetic parameter kcat is measured to evaluate the pH-range of enzymatic activity. However, insufficient information about residues governing the pH-effects on the catalytic activity leads to ambiguous assignments of the general acid and base catalysts and consequently its catalytic mechanism. In the present work, we use pH-replica exchange molecular dynamics (pH-REMD) simulations to study the effects of pH on E. coli GAR Tfase enzyme. We identify the titratable residues governing the pH-dependent conformational changes in the system. Furthermore, we filter out the protonation states which are essential in maintaining the structural integrity, keeping the ligands bound and assisting the catalysis. We reproduce the experimental pH-activity curve by computing the population of key protonation states. Moreover, we provide a detailed description of residues governing the acidic and basic limbs of the pH-activity curve.</div>

Biochemical study of fibrinolytic protease from Euphausia superba possessing multifunctional serine protease activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo-Ying Qian ◽  
Gyutae Lim ◽  
Shang-Jun Yin ◽  
Jun-Mo Yang ◽  
Jinhyuk Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Fluorescence Spectra ◽  
Biochemical Study ◽  
Euphausia Superba ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Serine Residue ◽  
Catalytic Function ◽  
Serine Protease Activity ◽  
Key Residues

Background: Background: Fibrinolytic protease from Euphausia superba (EFP) was isolated. Objective: Biochemical distinctions, regulation of the catalytic function, and the key residues of EFP were investigated. Methods: The serial inhibition kinetic evaluations coupled with measurements of fluorescence spectra in the presence of 4- (2-aminoethyl) benzene sulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF) was conducted. The computational molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were also applied for a comparative study. Results: The enzyme behaved as a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of about 28.6 kD with Km BApNA = 0.629 ± 0.02 mM and kcat/Km BApNA = 7.08 s-1 /mM. The real-time interval measurements revealed that the inactivation was a first-order reaction, with the kinetic processes shifting from a monophase to a biphase. Measurements of fluorescence spectra showed that serine residue modification by AEBSF directly caused conspicuous changes of the tertiary structures and exposed hydrophobic surfaces. Some osmolytes were applied to find protective roles. These results confirmed that the active region of EFP is more flexible than the overall enzyme molecule and serine, as the key residue, is associated with the regional unfolding of EFP in addition to its catalytic role. The MD simulations were supportive to the kinetics data. Conclusion: Our study indicated that EFP has an essential serine residue for its catalyst function and associated folding behaviors. Also, the functional role of osmolytes such as proline and glycine that may play a role in defense mechanisms from environmental adaptation in a krill’s body was suggested.

Recent Advances of In-Silico Modeling of Potent Antagonists for the Adenosine Receptors

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 750-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pabitra Narayan Samanta ◽  
Supratik Kar ◽  
Jerzy Leszczynski
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Scoring Function ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Energy Calculation ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Macromolecular Systems ◽  
In Silico Modeling ◽  
Mathematical Algorithms ◽  
The Impact

The rapid advancement of computer architectures and development of mathematical algorithms offer a unique opportunity to leverage the simulation of macromolecular systems at physiologically relevant timescales. Herein, we discuss the impact of diverse structure-based and ligand-based molecular modeling techniques in designing potent and selective antagonists against each adenosine receptor (AR) subtype that constitutes multitude of drug targets. The efficiency and robustness of high-throughput empirical scoring function-based approaches for hit discovery and lead optimization in the AR family are assessed with the help of illustrative examples that have led to nanomolar to sub-micromolar inhibition activities. Recent progress in computer-aided drug discovery through homology modeling, quantitative structure-activity relation, pharmacophore models, and molecular docking coupled with more accurate free energy calculation methods are reported and critically analyzed within the framework of structure-based virtual screening of AR antagonists. Later, the potency and applicability of integrated molecular dynamics (MD) methods are addressed in the context of diligent inspection of intricated AR-antagonist binding processes. MD simulations are exposed to be competent for studying the role of the membrane as well as the receptor flexibility toward the precise evaluation of the biological activities of antagonistbound AR complexes such as ligand binding modes, inhibition affinity, and associated thermodynamic and kinetic parameters.

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