A Monte Carlo simulation study of the aqueous hydration of r(GpC)2: comparison with crystallographic ordered water sites

Reconstructing the protein-water interface

Using molecular dynamics simulations of fully hydrated proteins and analysis of crystal structures contained in the Protein Data Bank, we develop a transferable set of perpendicular radial distribution functions for water molecules around globular proteins. These universal functions may be used to reconstruct the unique three-dimensional solvent density distribution around every individual protein with a modest error. We discuss potential applications of this solvent treatment in protein x-ray crystallographic refinements and in theoretical modeling. We also present a fast, grid-based algorithm for construction of the perpendicular solvent density distributions.

RNA hydration: three nanoseconds of multiple molecular dynamics simulations of the solvated tRNA(Asp) anticodon hairpin

The hydration of the tRNA(Asp) anticodon hairpin was investigated through the analysis of six 500 ps multiple molecular dynamics (MMD) trajectories generated by using the particle mesh Ewald method for the treatment of the long-range electrostatic interactions. Although similar in their dynamical characteristics, these six trajectories display different local hydration patterns reflecting the landscape of the "theoretical" conformational space being explored. The statistical view gained through the MMD strategy allowed us to characterize the hydration patterns around important RNA structural motifs such as a G-U base-pair, the anticodon U-turn, and two modified bases: pseudouridine and 1-methylguanine. The binding of ammonium counterions to the hairpin has also been investigated. No long-lived hydrogen bond between water and a 2'-hydroxyl has been observed. Water molecules with long-residence times are found bridging adjacent pro-Rp phosphate atoms. The conformation of the pseudouridine is stiffened by a water-mediated base-backbone interaction and the 1-methylguanine is additionally stabilized by long-lived hydration patterns. Such long-lived hydration patterns are essential to ensure the structural integrity of this hairpin motif. Consequently, our simulations confirm the conclusion reached from an analysis of X-ray crystal structures according to which water molecules form an integral part of nucleic acid structure. The fact that the same conclusion is reached from a static and a dynamic point of view suggests that RNA and water together constitute the biologically relevant functional entity.

Molecular dynamics simulations of dinucleoside and dinucleoside-drug crystal hydrates

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed on the dinucleoside monophosphates rGpC and dCpG, the latter in its intercalation complex with the acridine drug proflavine. The simulations were performed on the crystal structures, with crystallographically-located solvent molecules. It was found that satisfactory results were best obtained with restraints placed on the movements of the water molecules. Motions of individual atoms have been examined in terms of rms fluctuations and anisotropy and correlation functions. Relative motions of groups (phosphates, sugars, bases and proflavine molecules) have been analysed.