Effect of temperature on the structure and hydration layer of TATA-box DNA: A molecular dynamics simulation study.

DNA within the living cells experiences a diverse range of temperature, ranging from freezing condition to hot spring water. How the structure, the mechanical properties of DNA, and the solvation dynamics around DNA changes with the temperature is important to understand the functionality of DNA under those acute temperature conditions. In that notion, we have carried out molecular dynamics simulations of a DNA oligomer, containing TATA-box sequence for three different temperatures (250K, 300K and 350K). We observed that the structure of the DNA, in terms of backbone torsion angles, sugar pucker, base pair parameters, and base pair step parameters, did not show any unusual properties within the studied range of temperatures, but significant structural alteration was noticed between BI and BII forms at higher temperature. As expected, the flexibility of the DNA, in terms of the torsional rigidity and the bending rigidity is highly temperature dependent, confirming that flexibility increases with increase in temperature. Additionally, the groove widths of the studied DNA showed temperature sensitivity, specifically, the major groove width decreases and the minor groove width increases, respectively, with the increase in temperature. We observed that at higher temperature, water around both the major and the minor groove of the DNA is less structured. However, the water dynamics around the minor groove of the DNA is more restricted as compared to the water around the major groove throughout the studied range of temperatures, without any anomalous behavior.

Subunit F modulates ATP binding and migration in the nucleotide-binding subunit B of the A(1)A(O) ATP synthase of Methanosarcina mazei Gö1.

The interaction of the nucleotide-binding subunit B with subunit F is essential in coupling of ion pumping and ATP synthesis in A(1)A(O) ATP synthases. Here we provide structural and thermodynamic insights on the nucleotide binding to the surface of subunits B and F of Methanosarcina mazei Gö1 A(1)A(O) ATP synthase, which initiated migration to its final binding pocket via two transitional intermediates on the surface of subunit B. NMR- and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as ITC data combined with molecular dynamics simulations of the nucleotide bound subunit B and nucleotide bound B-F complex in explicit solvent, suggests that subunit F is critical for the migration to and eventual occupancy of the final binding site by the nucleotide of subunit B. Rotation of the C-terminus and conformational changes in subunit B are initiated upon binding with subunit F causing a perturbation that leads to the migration of ATP from the transition site 1 through an intermediate transition site 2 to the final binding site 3. This mechanism is elucidated on the basis of change in binding affinity for the nucleotide at the specific sites on subunit B upon complexation with subunit F. The change in enthalpy is further explained based on the fluctuating local environment around the binding sites.

Chemical states of the N-terminal "lid" of MDM2 regulate p53 binding: simulations reveal complexities of modulation.

Phosphorylation of S17 in the N-terminal "lid" of MDM2 (residues 1-24) is proposed to regulate the binding of p53. The lid is composed of an intrinsically disordered peptide motif that is not resolved in the crystal structure of the MDM2 N-terminal domain. Molecular dynamics simulations of MDM2 provide novel insight into how the lid undergoes complex dynamics depending on its phosphorylation state that have not been revealed by NMR analyses. The difference in charges between the phosphate and the phosphomimetic 'Asp' and the change in shape from tetrahedral to planar are manifested in differences in strengths and durations of interactions that appear to modulate access of the binding site to ligands and peptides differentially. These findings unveil the complexities that underlie protein-protein interactions and reconcile some differences between the biochemical and NMR data suggesting that lid mutation or deletion can change the specific activity of MDM2 and provide concepts for future approaches to evaluate the effects of S17 modification on p53 binding.

Why an A-loop phospho-mimetic fails to activate PAK1: understanding an inaccessible kinase state by molecular dynamics simulations.

Crystal structures of inactive PAK1(K299R) and the activation (A)-loop phospho-mimetic PAK1(T423E) have suggested that the kinase domain is in an active state regardless of activation loop status. Contrary to a large body of literature, we find that neither is PAK1(T423E) active in cells, nor does it exhibit significant activity in vitro. To explain these discrepancies all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of PAK1(phospho-T423) in complex with ATP and substrate were performed. These simulations point to a key interaction between PAK1 Lys308, at the end of the alphaC helix, and the pThr423 phosphate group, not seen in X-ray structures. The orthologous PAK4 Arg359 fulfills the same role in immobilizing the alphaC helix. These in silico predictions were validated by experimental mutagenesis of PAK1 and PAK4. The simulations explain why the PAK1 A-loop phospho-mimetic is inactive, but also point to a key functional interaction likely found in other protein kinases.

Crosstalk along the stalk: dynamics of the interaction of subunits B and F in the A(1)A(O) ATP synthase of Methanosarcina mazei Gö1.

The mechanism of coupling of ion pumping in the membrane-bound A(O) sector with ATP synthesis in the A(3)B(3) headpiece of the A(1) sector in the A(1)A(O) ATP synthase is a puzzle. Previously, crosstalk between the stalk and nucleotide-binding subunits F(Mm) and B(Mm) of the Methanosarcina mazei Gö1 A-ATP synthase has been observed by nucleotide-dependent cross-link formation of both subunits inside the enzyme. The recently determined NMR solution structure of F(Mm) depicts the protein as a two-domain structure, with a well-folded N-terminus having 78 residues and a flexible C-terminal part (residues 79-101), proposed to become structured after binding to its partner, B(Mm). Here, we detail the crucial interactions between subunits B(Mm) and F(Mm) by determining the NMR structure of the very C-terminus of F(Mm), consisting of 20 residues and hereafter termed F(Mm(81-101)), and performing molecular dynamics simulations on the resulting structure. These data demonstrate that the flexibility of the C-terminus enables F(Mm) to switch between an elongated and retracted state. Docking and MD in conjunction with previously conducted and published NMR results, biochemical cross-linking, and fluorescence spectroscopy data were used to reconstruct a model of a B(Mm)-F(Mm) assembly. The model of the B(Mm)-F(Mm) complex shows the detailed interactions of helices 1 and 2 of the C-terminal domain of B(Mm) with the C-terminal residues of F(Mm). Movements of both helices of B(Mm) accommodate the incoming C-terminus of F(Mm) and connect the events of ion pumping and nucleotide binding in the A(1)A(O) ATP synthase.

TAR-RNA recognition by a novel cyclic aminoglycoside analogue.

The formation of the Tat-protein/TAR-RNA complex is a crucial step in the regulation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-gene expression. To obtain full-length viral transcripts the Tat/TAR complex has to recruit the positive transcription elongation factor complex (P-EFTb), which interacts with TAR through its cyclin T1 (CycT1) component. Mutational studies identified the TAR hexanucleotide loop as a crucial region for contacting CycT1. Interfering with the interaction between the Tat/CycT1 complex and the TAR-RNA is an attractive strategy for the design of anti-HIV drugs. Positively charged molecules, like aminoglycosides or peptidomimetics, bind the TAR-RNA, disrupting the Tat/TAR complex. Here, we investigate the complex between the HIV-2 TAR-RNA and a neooligoaminodeoxysaccharide by NMR spectroscopy. In contrast to other aminoglycosides, this novel aminoglycoside analogue contacts simultaneously the bulge residues required for Tat binding and the A35 residue of the hexanucleotide loop. Upon complex formation, the loop region undergoes profound conformational changes. The novel binding mode, together with the easy accessibility of derivatives for the neooligoaminodeoxysaccharide, could open the way to the design of a new class of TAR-RNA binders, which simultaneously inhibit the formation of both the Tat/TAR binary complex and the Tat/TAR/CycT1 ternary complex by obstructing both the bulge and loop regions of the RNA.