Structural features of aquaporin 4 supporting the formation of arrays and junctions in biomembranes

Thermodynamics and S-Palmitoylation Dependence of Interactions between Human Aquaporin-4 M1 Tetramers in Model Membranes

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a water channel protein found primarily in the central nervous system (CNS) that helps to regulate water-ion homeostasis. AQP4 exists in two major isoforms: M1 and M23. While both isoforms have a homotetrameric quaternary structure and are functionally identical when transporting water, the M23 isoform forms large protein aggregates known as orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs). In contrast, the M1 isoform creates a peripheral layer around the outside of these OAPs, suggesting a thermodynamically stable interaction between the two. Structurally, the M1 isoform has an N-terminal tail that is 22 amino acids longer than the M23 isoform and contains two solvent-accessible cysteines available for S-palmitoylation at cysteine-13 (Cys-13) and cysteine-17 (Cys-17) in the amino acid sequence. Earlier work suggests that the palmitoylation of these cysteines might aid in regulating AQP4 assemblies. This work discusses the thermodynamic driving forces for M1 protein-protein interactions and how the palmitoylation state of M1 affects them. Using temperature-dependent single-particle tracking, the standard state free energies, enthalpies, and entropies were measured for these interactions. Furthermore, we present a binding model based on measured thermodynamics and a structural modeling study. The results of this study demonstrate that the M1 isoform will associate with itself according to the following expressions: 2[AQP4-M1]4 ↔ [[AQP4-M1]4]2 when palmitoylated and 3[AQP4-M1]4 ↔ [AQP4-M1]4 + [[AQP4-M1]4]2 ↔ [[AQP4-M1]4]3 when depalmitoylated. This is primarily due to a conformational change induced by adding the palmitic acid groups at Cys-13 and Cys-17 in the N-terminal tails of the homotetramers. In addition, a statistical mechanical model was developed to estimate the Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy for forming dimers and trimers. These results were in good agreement with experimental values.

1/ f Fluctuations of amino acids regulate water transportation in aquaporin 1

Aquaporins (AQPs), which transport water molecules across cell membranes, are involved in many physiological processes. Recently, it is reported that the water-water interactions within the channel are broken at the aromatic/arginine selectivity filter (ar/R region), which prevents proton transportation [U. K. Eriksson et al., Science 340, 1346 (2013)]. However, the effects of the conformational fluctuations of amino acids on water transportation remain unclear. Using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we analyze water transportation and fluctuations of amino acids within AQP1. The amino acids exhibit 1/f fluctuations, indicating possession of long-term memory. Moreover, we find that water molecules crossing the ar/R region obey a non-Poisson process. To investigate the effect of 1/f fluctuations on water transportation, we perform restrained molecular dynamics simulations of AQP1 and simple Langevin stochastic simulations. As a result, we confirm that 1/f fluctuations of amino acids contribute to water transportation in AQP1. These findings appreciably enhance our understanding of AQPs and suggest possibilities for developing biomimetic nanopores.

Physiological roles of aquaporin-4 in brain

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is one of the most abundant molecules in the brain and is particularly prevalent in astrocytic membranes at the blood-brain and brain-liquor interfaces. While AQP4 has been implicated in a number of pathophysiological processes, its role in brain physiology has remained elusive. Only recently has evidence accumulated to suggest that AQP4 is involved in such diverse functions as regulation of extracellular space volume, potassium buffering, cerebrospinal fluid circulation, interstitial fluid resorption, waste clearance, neuroinflammation, osmosensation, cell migration, and Ca(2+) signaling. AQP4 is also required for normal function of the retina, inner ear, and olfactory system. A review will be provided of the physiological roles of AQP4 in brain and of the growing list of data that emphasize the polarized nature of astrocytes.

Common force field thermodynamics of cholesterol

Four different force fields are examined for dynamic characteristics using cholesterol as a case study. The extent to which various types of internal degrees of freedom become thermodynamically relevant is evaluated by means of principal component analysis. More complex degrees of freedom (angle bending, dihedral rotations) show a trend towards force field independence. Moreover, charge assignments for membrane-embedded compounds are revealed to be critical with significant impact on biological reasoning.