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MollDE: a homology modeling framework you can click with.

UNLABELLED: Molecular Integrated Development Environment (MolIDE) is an integrated application designed to provide homology modeling tools and protocols under a uniform, user-friendly graphical interface. Its main purpose is to combine the most frequent modeling steps in a semi-automatic, interactive way, guiding the user from the target protein sequence to the final three-dimensional protein structure. The typical basic homology modeling process is composed of building sequence profiles of the target sequence family, secondary structure prediction, sequence alignment with PDB structures, assisted alignment editing, side-chain prediction and loop building. All of these steps are available through a graphical user interface. MolIDE's user-friendly and streamlined interactive modeling protocol allows the user to focus on the important modeling questions, hiding from the user the raw data generation and conversion steps. MolIDE was designed from the ground up as an open-source, cross-platform, extensible framework. This allows developers to integrate additional third-party programs to MolIDE. AVAILABILITY: http://dunbrack.fccc.edu/molide/molide.php CONTACT: rl_dunbrack@fccc.edu.

Algorithms↗

Homology modeling of membrane proteins: a critical assessment.

Evaluation and validation of homology modeling protocols are indispensable for membrane proteins as experimental determination of their three-dimensional structure is an arduous task. The prediction ability of Modeller, MOE, InsightII-Homology and Swiss-PdbViewer (SPV) with different sequence alignments CLUSTALW, BLAST and 3D-JIGSAW have been assessed. The sequence identity of the target and template was chosen to be in the range of 25-35%. Validation protocols to assess the structure, fold and stereochemical quality, are employed by comparing with experimental structures. Two different ranking schemes are suggested to evaluate the performance of each methodology based on the validation scores. While unambiguous preference for any given procedure did not surface, statistically Modeller and the sequence alignment technique, 3D-JIGSAW, gave best results amongst the chosen protocols. The present study helps in selecting the right protocols when modeling membrane proteins, which form a major class of drug targets.

Computational Biology↗

An active site homology model of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from Petroselinum crispum.

The plant enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) shows homology to histidine ammonia-lyase (HAL) whose structure has been solved by X-ray crystallography. Based on amino-acid sequence alignment of the two enzymes, mutagenesis was performed on amino-acid residues that were identical or similar to the active site residues in HAL to gain insight into the importance of this residues in PAL for substrate binding or catalysis. We mutated the following amino-acid residues: S203, R354, Y110, Y351, N260, Q348, F400, Q488 and L138. Determination of the kinetic constants of the overexpressed and purified enzymes revealed that mutagenesis led in each case to diminished activity. Mutants S203A, R354A and Y351F showed a decrease in kcat by factors of 435, 130 and 235, respectively. Mutants F400A, Q488A and L138H showed a 345-, 615- and 14-fold lower kcat, respectively. The greatest loss of activity occurred in the PAL mutants N260A, Q348A and Y110F, which were 2700, 2370 and 75 000 times less active than wild-type PAL. To elucidate the possible function of the mutated amino-acid residues in PAL we built a homology model of PAL based on structural data of HAL and mutagenesis experiments with PAL. The homology model of PAL showed that the active site of PAL resembles the active site of HAL. This allowed us to propose possible roles for the corresponding residues in PAL catalysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A homology modeling method of an icosahedral viral capsid: inclusion of surrounding protein structures.

A methodological development is presented for homology modeling of an icosahedrally symmetric assembly of proteins. In the method, a main-chain structure of an asymmetric unit of a protein assembly is constructed and structure refinement is performed, taking the surrounding symmetry-related proteins into consideration with rotational symmetry boundary conditions. To test the procedure, three models of a poliovirus capsid were constructed with different modeling conditions based on the X-ray structure of a rhinovirus capsid. Model S and model N were constructed with and without considering surrounding proteins, respectively. Model N2 was obtained by refinement in rotational symmetry boundary conditions of the structure of model N. The three models were compared with the X-ray structure of a poliovirus capsid. Root mean square deviations and C alpha distances indicate that model S is the most accurate. Examination of the intermolecular short contacts indicates that model S and model N2 are superior to model N, because they do not make severe intermolecular short contacts. Symmetric intermolecular interactions are important for both the structural fragment search and energy minimization to predict better loop structures. The programs developed in this study are thus valuable in homology modeling of an icosahedral viral capsid.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homology modeling of the human microsomal glucose 6-phosphate transporter explains the mutations that cause the glycogen storage disease type Ib.

Glycogen storage disease type Ib is caused by mutations in the glucose 6-phosphate transporter (G6PT) in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane in liver and kidney. Twenty-eight missense and two deletion mutations that cause the disease were previously shown to reduce or abolish the transporter's activity. However, the mechanisms by which these mutations impair transport remain unknown. On the basis of the recently determined crystal structure of its Escherichia coli homologue, the glycerol 3-phosphate transporter, we built a three-dimensional structural model of human G6PT by homology modeling. G6PT is proposed to consist of 12 transmembrane alpha-helices that are divided into N- and C-terminal domains, with the substrate-translocation pore located between the two domains and the substrate-binding site formed by R28 and K240 at the domain interface. The disease-causing mutations were found to occur at four types of positions: (I) in the substrate-translocation pore, (II) at the N-/C-terminal domain interface, (III) in the interior of the N- and C-terminal domains, and (IV) on the protein surface. Whereas class I mutations affect substrate binding directly, class II mutations, mostly involving changes in side chain size, charge, or both, hinder the conformational change required for substrate translocation. On the other hand, class III and class IV mutations, often introducing a charged residue into a helix bundle or at the protein-lipid interface, probably destabilize the protein. These results also suggest that G6PT operates by a similar antiport mechanism as its E. coli homologue, namely, the substrate binds at the N- and C-terminal domain interface and is then transported across the membrane via a rocker-switch type of movement of the two domains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homology modeling of the estrogen receptor subtype beta (ER-beta) and calculation of ligand binding affinities.

Estrogen is a steroid hormone playing critical roles in physiological processes such as sexual differentiation and development, female and male reproductive processes, and bone health. Numerous natural and synthetic environmental compounds have been shown capable of estrogenic effects. This area has been the focus of significant fundamental and applied research due both to the potential detrimental effects of these compounds upon normal physiological processes and to the potential beneficial effects of tissue-selective estrogen agonists/antagonists for the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases. Genomic effects of the active form of estrogen, 17beta-estradiol, are mediated through at least two members of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily, estrogen receptor subtype alpha (ER-alpha) and estrogen receptor subtype beta (ER-beta). At the time of this work, the X-ray crystal structure of the ER-alpha had been elucidated, however, coordinates of the ER-beta were not publicly available. Based upon the significant structural conservation across members of the steroid hormone receptor family, and the high sequence homology between ER-alpha and ER-beta (>60%), we have developed a homology model of the ER-beta structure. Using the crystal structure of ER-alpha and the homology model of ER-beta, we demonstrate a strong correlation between computed values of the binding-energy and published values of the observed relative binding affinity (RBA) for a variety of compounds for both receptors, as well as the ability to identify receptor subtype selective compounds. Furthermore, using the recently available crystal structure of ER-beta for comparison purposes, we show that not only is the predicted homology model structurally accurate, but that it can be used to assess ligand binding affinities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Automated multiple analysis of protein structures: application to homology modeling of cytochromes P450.

A computational strategy for homology modeling, using several protein structures comparison, is described. This strategy implies a formalized definition of structural blocks common to several protein structures, a new program to compare these structures simultaneously, and the use of consensus matrices to improve sequence alignment between the structurally known and target proteins. Applying this method to cytochromes P450 led to the definition of 15 substructures common to P450cam, P450BM3, and P450terp, and to proposing a 3D model of P450eryF.

Algorithms↗

Muscarinic receptors: A comparative analysis of structural features and binding modes through homology modelling and molecular docking.

Three-dimensional models of the five human muscarinic receptors were obtained from their known sequences. Homology modelling based on the crystallographic structure of bovine rhodopsin yielded models compatible with known results from site-directed mutagenesis studies. The only exceptions were the cytoplasmic loop 3 (CL3) in the five receptors, and the large C-terminal domain in M(1). Here, homology modelling with other closely related proteins allowed to solve these gaps. A detailed comparative discussion of the five models is given. The second part of the work involved docking experiments with the physiological ligand acetylcholine, again yielding results entirely compatible with results from mutagenesis experiments. The study revealed analogies and differences between the five receptors in the residues, and interactions leading to the recognition and binding of acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine↗

A theoretical model of the tridimensional structure of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. medellin Cry 11Bb toxin deduced by homology modelling.

Cry11Bb is an insecticidal crystal protein produced by Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. medellin during its stationary phase; this partial differential-endotoxin is active against dipteran insects and has great potential for mosquito borne disease control. Here, we report the first theoretical model of the tridimensional structure of a Cry11 toxin. The tridimensional structure of the Cry11Bb toxin was obtained by homology modelling on the structures of the Cry1Aa and Cry3Aa toxins. In this work we give a brief description of our model and hypothesize the residues of the Cry11Bb toxin that could be important in receptor recognition and pore formation. This model will serve as a starting point for the design of mutagenesis experiments aimed to the improvement of toxicity, and to provide a new tool for the elucidation of the mechanism of action of these mosquitocidal proteins.

Bacillus thuringiensis↗

Purification, kinetic studies, and homology model of Escherichia coli fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase.

Previous kinetic characterization of Escherichia coli fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) was performed on enzyme with an estimated purity of only 50%. Contradictory kinetic properties of the partially purified E. coli FBPase have been reported in regard to AMP cooperativity and inactivation by fructose-2,6-bisphosphate. In this investigation, a new purification for E. coli FBPase has been devised yielding enzyme with purity levels as high as 98%. This highly purified E. coli FBPase was characterized and the data compared to that for the pig kidney enzyme. Also, a homology model was created based upon the known three-dimensional structure of the pig kidney enzyme. The kcat of the E. coli FBPase was 14.6 s(-1) as compared to 21 s(-1) for the pig kidney enzyme, while the K(m) of the E. coli enzyme was approximately 10-fold higher than that of the pig kidney enzyme. The concentration of Mg2+ required to bring E. coli FBPase to half maximal activity was estimated to be 0.62 mM Mg2+, which is twice that required for the pig kidney enzyme. Unlike the pig kidney enzyme, the Mg2+ activation of the E. coli FBPase is not cooperative. AMP inhibition of mammalian FBPases is cooperative with a Hill coefficient of 2; however, the E. coli FBPase displays no cooperativity. Although cooperativity is not observed, the E. coli and pig kidney enzymes show similar AMP affinity. The quaternary structure of the E. coli enzyme is tetrameric, although higher molecular mass aggregates were also observed. The homology model of the E. coli enzyme indicated slight variations in the ligand-binding pockets compared to the pig kidney enzyme. The homology model of the E. coli enzyme also identified significant changes in the interfaces between the subunits, indicating possible changes in the path of communication of the allosteric signal.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Protein Alpha Shape (PAS) Dock: a new gaussian-based score function suitable for docking in homology modelled protein structures.

Protein Alpha Shape (PAS) Dock is a new empirical score function suitable for virtual library screening using homology modelled protein structures. Here, the score function is used in combination with the geometry search method Tabu search. A description of the protein binding site is generated using gaussian property fields like in Protein Alpha Shape Similarity Analysis (PASSA). Gaussian property fields are also used to describe the ligand properties. The overlap between the receptor and ligand hydrophilicity and lipophilicity fields is maximised, while minimising steric clashes. Gaussian functions introduce a smoothing of the property fields. This makes the score function robust against small structural variations, and therefore suitable for use with homology models. This also makes it less critical to include protein flexibility in the docking calculations. We use a fast and simplified version of the score function in the geometry search, while a more detailed version is used for the final prediction of the binding free energies. This use of a two-level scoring makes PAS-Dock computationally efficient, and well suited for virtual screening. The PAS-Dock score function is trained on 218 X-ray structures of protein- ligand complexes with experimental binding affinities. The performance of PAS-Dock is compared to two other docking methods, AutoDock and MOE-Dock, with respect to both accuracy and computational efficiency. According to this study, PAS-Dock is more computationally efficient than both AutoDock and MOE-Dock, and gives a better prediction of the free energies of binding. PAS-Dock is also more robust against structural variations than AutoDock.

Algorithms↗

Refinement of a homology model of the mu-opioid receptor using distance constraints from intrinsic and engineered zinc-binding sites.

Publication of the rhodopsin X-ray structure has facilitated the development of homology models of other G protein-coupled receptors. However, possible shifts of transmembrane (TM) alpha helices, expected variations in helical distortions, and differences in loop size necessitate experimental verification of these comparative models. To refine a rhodopsin-based homology model of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), we experimentally determined structural-distance constraints from intrinsic and engineered metal-binding sites in the rat MOR. Investigating the relatively high intrinsic affinity of MOR for Zn(2+) (IC(50) approximately 30microM), we observed that mutation of His(319) (TM7) abolished Zn(2+) inhibition of ligand binding, while mutation of Asp(216) (extracellular loop 2) decreased the effect of Zn(2+), suggesting these residues participate in the intrinsic Zn(2+)-binding center of MOR. To verify the relative orientation of TM5 and TM6 and to examine whether a rhodopsin-like alpha aneurism is present in TM5, we engineered Zn(2+)-binding centers by mutating residues of TM5 and TM6 to Cys or His, making use of the native His(297) in TM6 as an additional Zn(2+)-coordination site. Inhibition of opioid ligand binding by Zn(2+) suggests that residues Ile(234) and Phe(237) in TM5 face the binding-site crevice and form a metal-binding center with His(297) and Val(300) in TM6. This observation is inconsistent with a rhodopsin-like structure, which would locate Ile(234) on the lipid-exposed side of TM5, too distant from other residues making up the Zn(2+)-binding site. Subsequent distance geometry refinement of the MOR model indicates that the rhodopsin-like alpha aneurism is likely absent in TM2 but present in TM5.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Toward selective histone deacetylase inhibitor design: homology modeling, docking studies, and molecular dynamics simulations of human class I histone deacetylases.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play an important role in gene transcription. Inhibitors of HDACs induce cell differentiation and suppress cell proliferation in tumor cells. Although many HDAC inhibitors have been designed and synthesized, selective inhibition for class I HDAC isoforms is a goal that has yet to be achieved. To understand the difference between class I HDAC isoforms that could be exploited for the design of isoform-specific HDAC inhibitors, we have built three-dimensional models of four class I histone deacetylases, HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, and HDAC8. Comparison of the homology model of HDAC8 with the recently published X-ray structure shows excellent agreement and validates the approach. A series of HDAC inhibitors were docked to the homology models to understand the similarities and differences between the binding modes. Molecular dynamic simulations of these HDAC-inhibitor complexes indicate that the interaction between the protein surface and inhibitor is playing an important role; also some active site residues show some flexibility, which is usually not included in routine docking protocols. The implications of these results for the design of isoform-selective HDAC inhibitors are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Integrated homology modelling and X-ray study of herpes simplex virus I thymidine kinase: a case study.

Knowledge-based homology modelling together with site-directed mutagenesis, epitope and conformational mapping is an approach to predict the structures of proteins and for the rational design of new drugs. In this study we present how this procedure has been applied to model the structure of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1 TK, HSV1 ATP-thymidine-5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.21). We have used, and evaluated, several secondary structure prediction methods, such as the classical one based on Chou and Fastman algorithm, neural networks using the Kabsch and Sander classification, and the PRISM method. We have validated the algorithms by applying them to the porcine adenylate kinase (ADK), whose three-dimensional structure is known and that has been used for the alignment of the TKs as well. The resulting first model of HSV1-TK consisted of the first beta-strand connected to the phosphate binding loop and its subsequent alpha-helix, the fourth beta-strand connected to the conserved FDRH sequence and two alpha-helix with basic amino acids. The 3D structure was built using the X-ray structure of ADK as template and following the general procedure for homology modelling. We extended the model by means of COMPOSER, an automatic process for protein modelling. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to experimentally verify the predicted active-site model of HSV1-TK. The data measured in our lab and by others support the suggestion that the FDRH motif is part of the active site and plays an important role in the phosphorylation of substrates. The structure of HSV1 TK, recently solved in collaboration with Prof. G. Schulz at 2.7 A resolution, includes 284 of 343 residues of the N-terminal truncated TK. The secondary structures could be clearly assigned and fitted to the density. The comparison between crystallographically determined structure and the model shows that nearly 70% of the HSV1 TK structure has been correctly modelled by the described integrated approach to knowledge based ligand protein complex structure prediction. This indicate that computer assisted methods, combined with "manual" correction both for alignment and 3D construction are useful and can be successful.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Electrostatics studies and molecular dynamics simulations of a homology model of the Shaker K+ channel pore.

A homology model of the pore domain of the Shaker K+ channel has been constructed using a bacterial K+ channel, KcsA, as a template structure. The model is in agreement with mutagenesis and sequence variability data. A number of structural features are conserved between the two channels, including a ring of tryptophan sidechains on the outer surface of the pore domain at the extracellular end of the helix bundle, and rings of acidic sidechains close to the extracellular mouth of the channel. One of these rings, that formed by four Asp447 sidechains at the mouth of the Shaker pore, is shown by pK(A) calculations to be incompletely ionized at neutral pH. The potential energy profile for a K+ ion moved along the central axis of the Shaker pore domain model selectivity filter reveals a shallow well, the depth of which is modulated by the ionization state of the Asp447 ring. This is more consistent with the high cation flux exhibited by the channel in its conductance value of 19 pS.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Novel procedure for structure refinement in homology modeling and its application to the human class Mu glutathione S-transferases.

Glutathione S-transferases (GST) are a major class of phase II detoxifying enzymes that conjugate glutathione to electrophiles. Their involvement in the degradation of chemotherapeutic agents, which contributes to drug resistance, makes this family of enzymes potential targets for therapeutic agents. This study generates, by homology modeling, a 3-D structure of three GST human isozymes of the Mu class, M1b-1b, M2-2 and M3-3, using the Rat3-3 GST structure as a template. The high percentage of identity among these enzymes and the lack of insertions and deletions make the system ideally suited to the technique of homology modeling. A novel technique for the modeling of protein structures was applied. The structure of the template was used to generate a low-resolution crystallographic map in which the initial coordinates of the structure to be modeled were placed. The structure was then annealed within this envelope. In addition, a feedback-restrained molecular dynamics procedure was adopted to scale the template restraints during the simulations. Three independent validation procedures were applied. To assess the reliability of the methods, an identical series of simulation steps to those used in the refinement were applied to the template structure (self modeling). Further, a homology structure for the Rat3-3 template was generated, starting from the modeled M1b-1b structure (reverse modeling). To assess the reasonableness of the modeled structures, two recently developed methodologies to verify protein structures based on statistics of the nonbonded interactions were applied. Overall, the structures appear to be consistent.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase: a homology model examined by site-directed mutagenesis.

An homology model of protochlorophyllide reductase (POR) from Synechocystis sp. was constructed on a template from the tyrosine-dependent oxidoreductase family. The model showed characteristics appropriate to a globular, soluble protein and was used to generate a structure of the ternary complex of POR, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and protochlorophyllide. The POR ternary model was validated by mutagenesis experiments involving predicted coenzyme-binding residues and by chemical modification experiments. A core tryptophan residue was shown to be responsible for much of the protein's fluorescence. Both quenching of this residue by coenzyme and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the protein to the coenzyme allowed the binding constant of NADPH to be determined. Replacement of this residue by Tyr gave an active mutant with approximately halved fluorescence and a negligible FRET signal, consistent with the role of this residue in energy transfer to the NADPH at the active site and with the model. The mechanism of the enzyme is discussed in the context of the model and semiempirical molecular orbital calculations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homology model of the GABAA receptor examined using Brownian dynamics.

We have developed a homology model of the GABA(A) receptor, using the subunit combination of alpha1beta2gamma2, the most prevalent type in the mammalian brain. The model is produced in two parts: the membrane-embedded channel domain and the extracellular N-terminal domain. The pentameric transmembrane domain model is built by modeling each subunit by homology with the equivalent subunit of the heteropentameric acetylcholine receptor transmembrane domain. This segment is then joined with the extracellular domain built by homology with the acetylcholine binding protein. The all-atom model forms a wide extracellular vestibule that is connected to an oval chamber near the external surface of the membrane. A narrow, cylindrical transmembrane channel links the outer segment of the pore to a shallow intracellular vestibule. The physiological properties of the model so constructed are examined using electrostatic calculations and Brownian dynamics simulations. A deep energy well of approximately 80 kT accommodates three Cl(-) ions in the narrow transmembrane channel and seven Cl(-) ions in the external vestibule. Inward permeation takes place when one of the ions queued in the external vestibule enters the narrow segment and ejects the innermost ion. The model, when incorporated into Brownian dynamics, reproduces key experimental features, such as the single-channel current-voltage-concentration profiles. Finally, we simulate the gamma2 K289M epilepsy inducing mutation and examine Cl(-) ion permeation through the mutant receptor.

Acetylcholine↗