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Molecular dynamics simulations of ribonuclease T1: comparison of the free enzyme and the 2' GMP-enzyme complex.

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed on free RNase T1 and the 2'GMP-RNase T1 complex in vacuum and with water in the active site along with crystallographically identified waters, allowing analysis of both active site and overall structural and dynamics changes due to the presence of 2'GMP. Differences in the active site include a closing in the presence of 2'GMP, which is accompanied by a decrease in mobility of active site residues. The functional relevance of the active site fluctuations is discussed. 2'GMP alters the motion of Tyr-45, suggesting a role for that residue in providing a hydrophobic environment for the protein-nucleic acid interactions responsible for the specificity of RNase T1. The presence of 2'GMP causes a structural change of the C-terminus of the alpha-helix, indicating the transmission of structural changes from the active site through the protein matrix. Overall fluctuations of both the free and 2'GMP enzyme forms are in good agreement with X-ray temperature factors. The motion of Trp-59 is influenced by 2'GMP, indicating differences in enzyme dynamics away from the active site, with the calculated changes following those previously seen in time-resolved fluorescence experiments.

Binding Sites↗

Solute diffusion in lipid bilayer membranes: an atomic level study by molecular dynamics simulation.

To elucidate the mechanism of solute diffusion through lipid bilayer membranes, nearly 4 ns of molecular dynamics simulations of solutes in phospholipid bilayers was conducted. The study, the first atomic level study of solute diffusion in a lipid bilayer, involved four simulations of an all-atom representation of a fully solvated dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) bilayer in the L alpha phase with benzene molecules as solutes, totaling over 7100 atoms. These simulations agree with experimental evidence that the presence of small solutes does not affect bilayer thickness but does result in slight perturbations in the ordering of the hydrocarbon chains. At room temperature, the benzene molecules have essentially isotropic motion and rotate freely. The rate of translational diffusion varies with position within the bilayer and is faster in the center than near the zwitterionic headgroups and is in excellent agreement with experimental values for the diffusion of small solutes in a bilayer. These simulations have elucidated the mechanism of diffusion in a bilayer to be similar to the "hopping" mechanism found for the diffusion of gases through soft polymers. Jumps of up to 8 A can occur in as little as 5 ps whereas average motions for that time period are only approximately 1.5 A. In many cases, the jumps are moderated by torsional changes in the hydrocarbon chains which serve as "gates" between voids through which the benzene molecules move. Comparison of these simulations with another 1000-ps simulation of benzene in a pure alkane provides evidence that lipid bilayers should not be treated as a homogeneous bulk hydrocarbon phase.

Alkanes↗

Molecular dynamics simulations of cyclohenicosakis-[(1-->2)-beta-D-gluco-henicosapyranosyl], a cyclic (1-->2)-beta-D-glucan (a 'cyclosophoraose') of DP 21.

We report molecular dynamics simulations of cyclohenicosakis-[(1-->2)-beta-D-gluco-henicosapyranosyl], termed 'cyclosophohenicosamer', a member of a class of cyclic (1-->2)-beta-D-glucans ('cyclosophoraoses'). Our goals were to provide insights into the conformational preferences of these cyclosophoraoses. Simulated annealing and constant-temperature molecular dynamics calculations were performed on the DP 21 cyclosophohenicosamer. The radius of gyration (R(G)) of the molecule and the conformation of glycosidic dihedral angles were used to analyze the result of computational studies. Most glycosidic linkages were concentrated in the lowest-energy region of the phi-psi energy map, and the values of radius of gyration from our simulations were consistent with the reported experimental value. The simulations produced various types of compact and asymmetric conformations within reasonable ranges of the glycosidic linkage conformation and radius of gyration. The results indicate the presence of a high degree of molecular flexibility of cyclosophohenicosamer and suggest the uniqueness of inclusion complexation with other molecules through this molecular flexibility.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

Molecular dynamics simulation of a palmitoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylserine bilayer with Na+ counterions and NaCl.

Two 40 ns molecular dynamics simulations of a palmitoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylserine (POPS) lipid bilayer in the liquid crystalline phase with Na(+) counterions and NaCl were carried out to investigate the structure of the negatively charged lipid bilayer and the effect of salt (NaCl) on the lipid bilayer structure. Na(+) ions were found to penetrate deep into the ester region of the water/lipid interface of the bilayer. Interaction of the Na(+) ions with the lipid bilayer is accompanied by a loss of water molecules around the ion and a simultaneous increase in the number of ester carbonyl oxygen atoms binding the ion, which define an octahedral and square pyramidal geometry. The amine group of the lipid molecule is involved in the formation of inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds with the carboxylate and the phosphodiester groups of the lipid molecule. The area per lipid of the POPS bilayer is unaffected by the presence of 0.15M NaCl. There is a small increase in the order parameter of carbon atoms in the beginning of the alkyl chain in the presence of NaCl. This is due to a greater number of Na(+) ions being coordinated by the ester carbonyl oxygen atoms in the water/lipid interface region of the POPS bilayer.

Body Fluids↗

Molecular dynamics simulations of a monofucosylated biantennary glycan of the N-acetyllactosamine type: the human lactotransferrin glycan.

Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to explore the conformational flexibility of the antennae of N-linked glycans. They were performed over 200 ps in vacuo on the complete disialylated monofucosylated biantennary glycan of the N-acetyllactosaminic type. Starting from a bird-conformation, the 3-D-structure evolved through 9 successive transitional states to a new, compact and energetically favorable conformation which had never been previously described. In this conformation, both antennae are organized in two coplanar loops rolled in a contrary direction and oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the di-N-acetyl chitobiose residue leading to a 'lobster conformation'. All the glycosidic linkages of the disialylated monofucosylated biantennary glycan, except the Fuc(alpha 1-6)GlcNAc(beta 1-), were modified by a phase transition. Particularly, the Man(beta 1-4) GlcNAc(beta 1-) linkage, which was previously described by NMR and X-ray diffraction as a rigid one, was involved in numerous conformational changes during 83 ps, even before the first transition phase. The freedom of mobility of the torsional angles of the Man(alpha 1-6)Man(beta 1-) linkage was limited, under these simulation conditions, to the angle psi which took three values: 30 degrees, 90 degrees and 180 degrees. Moreover, from 150 ps up to the end of the simulation, the value of the torsional angle omega of the NeuAc(alpha 2-6)Gal(beta 1-) linkage of the alpha-1,6-antenna continuously swung between 60 degrees and -60 degrees. Finally, we observed that the values of the torsional angles of the three linkages: NeuAc(alpha 2-6)Gal(beta 1-), Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc(beta 1-) and GlcNAc(beta 1-2)Man(beta 1-) of each of the two antennae were different, demonstrating their asymmetric conformation.

Amino Sugars↗

Three-dimensional model of a substrate-bound SARS chymotrypsin-like cysteine proteinase predicted by multiple molecular dynamics simulations: catalytic efficiency regulated by substrate binding.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious and deadly disease caused by a new coronavirus. The protein sequence of the chymotrypsin-like cysteine proteinase (CCP) responsible for SARS viral replication has been identified as a target for developing anti-SARS drugs. Here, I report the ATVRLQ(p1)A(p1')-bound CCP 3D model predicted by 420 different molecular dynamics simulations (2.0 ns for each simulation with a 1.0-fs time step). This theoretical model was released at the Protein Data Bank (PDB; code: 1P76) before the release of the first X-ray structure of CCP (PDB code: 1Q2W). In contrast to the catalytic dyad observed in X-ray structures of CCP and other coronavirus cysteine proteinases, a catalytic triad comprising Asp187, His41, and Cys145 is found in the theoretical model of the substrate-bound CCP. The simulations of the CCP complex suggest that substrate binding leads to the displacement of a water molecule entrapped by Asp187 and His41, thus converting the dyad to a more efficient catalytic triad. The CCP complex structure has an expanded active-site pocket that is useful for anti-SARS drug design. In addition, this work demonstrates that multiple molecular dynamics simulations are effective in correcting errors that result from low-sequence-identity homology modeling.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

An evaluation of implicit and explicit solvent model systems for the molecular dynamics simulation of bacteriophage T4 lysozyme.

In this report we examine several solvent models for use in molecular dynamics simulations of protein molecules with the Discover program from Biosym Technologies. Our goal was to find a solvent system which strikes a reasonable balance among theoretical rigor, computational efficiency, and experimental reality. We chose phage T4 lysozyme as our model protein and analyzed 14 simulations using different solvent models. We tested both implicit and explicit solvent models using either a linear distance-dependent dielectric or a constant dielectric. Use of a linear distance-dependent dielectric with implicit solvent significantly diminished atomic fluctuations in the protein and kept the protein close to the starting crystal structure. In systems using a constant dielectric and explicit solvent, atomic fluctuations were much greater and the protein was able to sample a larger portion of conformational space. A series of nonbonded cutoff distances (9.0, 11.5, 15.0, 20.0 A) using both abrupt and smooth truncation of the nonbonded cutoff distances were tested. The method of dual cutoffs was also tested. We found that a minimum nonbonded cutoff distance of 15.0 A was needed in order to properly couple solvent and solute. Distances shorter than 15.0 A resulted in a significant temperature gradient between the solvent and solute. In all trajectories using the proprietary Discover switching function, we found significant denaturation in the protein backbone; we were able to run successful trajectories only in those simulations that used no switching function. We were able to significantly reduce the computational burden by using dual cutoffs and still calculate a quality trajectory. In this method, we found that an outer cutoff distance of 15.0 A and an inner cutoff distance of 11.5 worked well. While a 10 A shell of explicit water yielded the best results, a 6 A shell of water yielded satisfactory results with nearly a 40% reduction in computational cost.

Bacteriophage T4↗

RNA solvation: a molecular dynamics simulation perspective.

With the availability of accurate methods to treat the electrostatic long-range interactions, molecular dynamics simulations have resulted in refined dynamical models of the structure of the hydration shell around RNA motifs. The models reviewed here range from basic Watson-Crick to more specific noncanonical base pairs, from "simple" double helices to RNA molecules displaying more complex tertiary folds, and from DNA/RNA hybrid double helices to RNA hybrids formed with a chemically modified strand.

Base Pairing↗

Molecular dynamics simulations of the ligand-induced chemical information transfer in the 5-HT(1A) receptor.

Comparative molecular dynamics simulations of the 5-HT(1A) receptor in its empty as well as agonist- (i.e. active) and antagonist-bound (i.e. nonactive) forms have been carried out. The agonists 5-HT and (R)-8-OH-DPAT as well as the antagonist WAY100635 have been employed. The results of this study strengthen the hypothesis that the receptor portions close to the E/DRY/W motif, with prominence to the cytosolic extensions of helices 3 and 6, are particularly susceptible to undergo structural modification in response to agonist binding. Despite the differences in the structural/dynamics behavior of the two agonists when docked into the 5-HT(1A) receptor, they both exert a destabilization of the intrahelical and interhelical interactions found in the empty and antagonist-bound receptor forms between the arginine of the E/DRY sequence and both D133(3.49) and E340(6.30). For both agonists, the chemical information transfer from the extracellular to the cytosolic domains is mediated by a cluster of aromatic amino acids in helix 6, following the ligand interaction with selected amino acids in the extracellular half of the receptor, such as D116(3.32), S199(5.42), Y195(5.38), and F361(6.51). A significant reduction in the bend at P360(6.50), as compared to the empty and the antagonist-bound receptor forms, is one of the features of the agonist-bound forms that is related to the breakage of the interhelical salt bridge between the E/DRY arginine and E340(6.30). Another structural feature, shared by the agonist-bound receptor forms and not by the empty and antagonist-bound forms, is the detachment of helices 2 and 4, as marked by the movement of W161(4.50) away from helix 2, toward the membrane space.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

Structure-based virtual screening, multi-score docking, and molecular dynamics simulation of novel small molecules targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor for potential management of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major global health burden, with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) serving as an important therapeutic target. However, resistance to currently available EGFR inhibitors limits the efficacy of long-term treatment. In this study, a structure-based virtual screening approach was employed using the Mcule database to identify novel small molecules with potential EGFR-inhibitory activity. The top-ranked compounds were subjected to consensus docking using multiple docking platforms and compared with established EGFR inhibitors. The most promising complexes were further evaluated using 500 ns molecular dynamics simulations to investigate their structural stability, conformational flexibility, and binding persistence. ADMET and pharmacokinetic analyses were performed to assess the drug-like and safety profiles. Five lead compounds (C1-C5) demonstrated significant binding affinities toward EGFR, ranging from - 9.9 to - 9.2 kcal/mol, while satisfying the major drug-likeness criteria. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that C1 and C4 may form relatively stable EGFR-ligand complexes, as supported by stable RMSD convergence and persistent interactions with key active-site residues throughout the simulation period. Trajectory-based interaction analyses further indicated a sustained binding behavior. ADMET profiling predicted favorable oral bioavailability and low predicted toxicity for most compounds, particularly C3 and C5, although a potential risk of cytochrome P450-mediated drug-drug interactions was observed. Overall, the shortlisted compounds exhibited docking and dynamic stability profiles comparable to those of the reference inhibitor Lapatinib. These findings suggest the potential therapeutic relevance of structurally novel EGFR-targeting scaffolds in OSCC and provide a foundation for future experimental validation through in vitro and in vivo studies. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s40203-026-00722-4.

ADMET↗

Molecular dynamics simulation of the fragile glass-former orthoterphenyl: A flexible molecule model

We present a realistic model of the fragile glass-former orthoterphenyl and the results of extensive molecular dynamics simulations in which we investigated its basic static and dynamic properties. In this model the internal molecular interactions between the three rigid phenyl rings are described by a set of force constants, including harmonic and anharmonic terms; the interactions among different molecules are described by Lennard-Jones site-site potentials. Self-diffusion properties are discussed in detail together with the temperature and momentum dependencies of the self-intermediate scattering function. The simulation data are compared with existing experimental results and with the main predictions of the mode-coupling theory.

Journal Article↗

Coarse master equation from Bayesian analysis of replica molecular dynamics simulations.

We use Bayesian inference to derive the rate coefficients of a coarse master equation from molecular dynamics simulations. Results from multiple short simulation trajectories are used to estimate propagators. A likelihood function constructed as a product of the propagators provides a posterior distribution of the free coefficients in the rate matrix determining the Markovian master equation. Extensions to non-Markovian dynamics are discussed, using the trajectory "paths" as observations. The Markovian approach is illustrated for the filling and emptying transitions of short carbon nanotubes dissolved in water. We show that accurate thermodynamic and kinetic properties, such as free energy surfaces and kinetic rate coefficients, can be computed from coarse master equations obtained through Bayesian inference.

Bayes Theorem↗

Morphology and mechanical properties of surfactant aggregates at water-silica interfaces: molecular dynamics simulations.

Dilute and concentrated surfactant systems at the solid-liquid interface are examined using classical molecular dynamics simulations. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding how surfactants aggregate and form the micellar structure, how micelles change shape at high concentrations in aqueous media and in the presence of hydrophilic surfaces, and at what force this micellar structure breaks apart during indentation of micelle-covered surfaces with a proximal probe microscope tip. The specific system of interest is C12TAB (n-dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide) surfactant in an aqueous medium that is modeled with empirical potentials. The simulations predict that the micelle structure in water is compact and either spherical or elliptical in shape. In the presence of a hydrophilic surface of silica, the structure evolves into a flat elliptical shape, in agreement with experimental findings. The simulated indentation of the micelle/silica system causes the micelle to break apart at an indentation force of about 1 nN and form a surfactant monolayer. The predicted force curve is in excellent agreement with experimental measurements.

Journal Article↗

Molecular dynamic simulation of the hydration and diffusion of chloride ions from bulk water to polypyrrole matrix.

A molecular dynamic simulation of wet polypyrrole film was carried out, in both oxidized and reduced state. The system was modeled by two layers of polypyrrole, water and chloride ions (as counterions required for charge balance in the oxidized state) in atomic detail to provide an insight into some dynamic and steady properties of the system. Our simulations pointed to a swelling of the polymer matrix after oxidation due to electrostatic repulsions between charged sites of the oxidized polypyrrole, followed by penetration of the polypyrrole by counterions to maintain the electroneutrality of the system. Associated with this penetration of counterions toward the core of the oxidized polypyrrole, dehydration of the counterions was observed. This dehydration was compensated (in part) by a strong coordination with the charged sites of the polymer. The remaining hydrophobicity inside the polymer also contributed to the dehydration of these counterions. The translational diffusion coefficient of chloride ions was also calculated at different positions of the polypyrrole/water interface, from bulk water to the inner polymer matrix. A value of 4.1 x 10(-5) cm(2) s(-1) was measured in the bulk water compared to 5 x 10(-7) cm(2) s(-1) inside the polymer, representing a diminution of two orders of magnitude for the translational diffusion coefficient from bulk water to the core of a oxidized polypyrrole matrix. These results were in good agreement with experimental data.

Journal Article↗

Thermal conductivity of solid argon from molecular dynamics simulations.

The thermal conductivity of solid argon in the classical limit has been calculated by equilibrium molecular dynamic simulations using the Green-Kubo formalism and a Lennard-Jones interatomic potential. Contrary to previous theoretical reports, we find that the computed thermal conductivities are in good agreement with experimental data. The computed values are also in agreement with the high-temperature limit of the three-phonon scattering contribution to the thermal conductivity. We find that finite-size effects are negligible and that phonon lifetimes have two characteristic time scales, so that agreement with kinetic theory is obtained only after appropriate averaging of the calculated phonon lifetimes.

Journal Article↗

Molecular dynamics simulations of small peptides: dependence on dielectric model and pH.

There has been much interest recently in the structure of small peptides in solution. A recent study by Bradley and co-workers [(1989) in Techniques of Protein Chemistry, Hugli, T.E., Ed., Academic Press, Orlando, FL, pp. 531-546; (1990) Journal of Molecular Biology, 215, pp. 607-622] describes a 17-residue peptide that is stable as a monomeric helix in aqueous solution at low pH, as determined by two-dimensional nmr and CD spectroscopy. They also have determined the helix content of the peptide as a function of pH using CD. We performed molecular dynamics simulations, with an empirical force field, of this peptide at low pH, with three different dielectric models: a linear distance-dependent dielectric function (epsilon = R); a modified form [J. Ramstein and R. Lavery (1988) Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, USA, Vol. 85, pp. 7231-7235] of the sigmoidal distance-dependent dielectric function of Hingerty and co-workers [(1985) Biopolymers, Vol. 24, pp. 427-439]; and epsilon = 1 with the peptide immersed in a bath of water molecules. We found that simulations with the sigmoidal dielectric function and the model with explicit water molecules resulted in average distances for particular interactions that were consistent with the experimental nmr results, with the sigmoidal function best representing the data. However, these models exhibited very different helix-stabilizing interactions. We also performed simulations using the sigmoidal function at moderate and high pH to compare to experimental determinations of the pH dependence of helix content. Helix content did not decrease with increases in pH, as shown experimentally. We did, however, observe changes in a specific side chain-helix dipole interaction that was implicated in determining the pH-dependent behavior of this peptide. Overall, the sigmoidal dielectric function was a reasonable alternative to adding explicit water molecules. In comparing 100 ps molecular dynamics simulations, the sigmoidal function was much less computer intensive and sampled more of conformational space than the treatment using explicit water molecules. Sampling is especially important for this system since the peptide has been shown experimentally to populate both helical and nonhelical conformations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An investigation of the conformation of peptide-T and its D-Ala analog by NMR and molecular dynamics simulations.

Peptide-T (ASTTTNYT) and its D-Ala analog (D-ASTTTNYT-NH2) have been designed to block the adsorption of HIV to CD4 receptors on T-cell lymphocytes, thus inhibiting viral infectivity. The conformation of these important peptides has been investigated by 2D-NMR and molecular dynamics simulations. The NMR studies in DMSO show that the peptides exist in solution as a mixture of conformations. beta-Turns and non-specific folded conformations are present in a small proportion in the ensemble of conformations, which is largely dominated by more or less extended structures. This result is in line with molecular dynamics simulations where beta-turns were found to occur with a low frequency and with energies 10 to 17 kcal/mole higher than the global minimum structure. Our findings differ from previous reports on the conformation of peptide-T determined by NMR.

Antiviral Agents↗

Molecular dynamics simulations of E. coli MsbA transmembrane domain: formation of a semipore structure.

The human P-glycoprotein (MDR1/P-gp) is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter involved in cellular response to chemical stress and failures of anticancer chemotherapy. In the absence of a high-resolution structure for P-gp, we were interested in the closest P-gp homolog for which a crystal structure is available: the bacterial ABC transporter MsbA. Here we present the molecular dynamics simulations performed on the transmembrane domain of the open-state MsbA in a bilayer composed of palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine lipids. The system studied contained more than 90,000 atoms and was simulated for 50 ns. This simulation shows that the open-state structure of MsbA can be stable in a membrane environment and provides invaluable insights into the structural relationships between the protein and its surrounding lipids. This study reveals the formation of a semipore-like structure stabilized by two key phospholipids which interact with the hinge region of the protein during the entire simulation. Multiple sequence alignments of ABC transporters reveal that one of the residues involved in the interaction with these two phospholipids are under a strong selection pressure specifically applied on the bacterial homologs of MsbA. Hence, comparison of molecular dynamics simulation and phylogenetic data appears as a powerful approach to investigate the functional relevance of molecular events occurring during simulations.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗