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Liekkinen J, Olżyńska A, Cwiklik L, Bernardino de la Serna J, Vattulainen I, Javanainen M. Surfactant Proteins SP-B and SP-C in Pulmonary Surfactant Monolayers: Physical Properties Controlled by Specific Protein-Lipid Interactions. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:4338-4350. [PMID: 36917773 PMCID: PMC10061932 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c03349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The lining of the alveoli is covered by pulmonary surfactant, a complex mixture of surface-active lipids and proteins that enables efficient gas exchange between inhaled air and the circulation. Despite decades of advancements in the study of the pulmonary surfactant, the molecular scale behavior of the surfactant and the inherent role of the number of different lipids and proteins in surfactant behavior are not fully understood. The most important proteins in this complex system are the surfactant proteins SP-B and SP-C. Given this, in this work we performed nonequilibrium all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to study the interplay of SP-B and SP-C with multicomponent lipid monolayers mimicking the pulmonary surfactant in composition. The simulations were complemented by z-scan fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy measurements. Our state-of-the-art simulation model reproduces experimental pressure-area isotherms and lateral diffusion coefficients. In agreement with previous research, the inclusion of either SP-B and SP-C increases surface pressure, and our simulations provide a molecular scale explanation for this effect: The proteins display preferential lipid interactions with phosphatidylglycerol, they reside predominantly in the lipid acyl chain region, and they partition into the liquid expanded phase or even induce it in an otherwise packed monolayer. The latter effect is also visible in our atomic force microscopy images. The research done contributes to a better understanding of the roles of specific lipids and proteins in surfactant function, thus helping to develop better synthetic products for surfactant replacement therapy used in the treatment of many fatal lung-related injuries and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juho Liekkinen
- Department
of Physics, University of Helsinki, FI-00560 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Agnieszka Olżyńska
- J.
Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of
Sciences, CZ-18223 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lukasz Cwiklik
- J.
Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of
Sciences, CZ-18223 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jorge Bernardino de la Serna
- National
Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College
London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- NIHR
Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, London SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Department
of Physics, University of Helsinki, FI-00560 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matti Javanainen
- Institute
of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, CZ-16100 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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2
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The lung surfactant activity probed with molecular dynamics simulations. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 304:102659. [PMID: 35421637 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The surface of pulmonary alveolar subphase is covered with a mixture of lipids and proteins. This lung surfactant plays a crucial role in lung functioning. It shows a complex phase behavior which can be altered by the interaction with third molecules such as drugs or pollutants. For studying multicomponent biological systems, it is of interest to couple experimental approach with computational modelling yielding atomic-scale information. Simple two, three, or four-component model systems showed to be useful for getting more insight in the interaction between lipids, lipids and proteins or lipids and proteins with drugs and impurities. These systems were studied theoretically using molecular dynamic simulations and experimentally by means of the Langmuir technique. A better understanding of the structure and behavior of lung surfactants obtained from this research is relevant for developing new synthetic surfactants for efficient therapies, and may contribute to public health protection.
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3
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Korolainen H, Lolicato F, Enkavi G, Pérez-Gil J, Kulig W, Vattulainen I. Dimerization of the pulmonary surfactant protein C in a membrane environment. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267155. [PMID: 35476695 PMCID: PMC9045638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Surfactant protein C (SP-C) has several functions in pulmonary surfactant. These include the transfer of lipids between different membrane structures, a role in surfactant recycling and homeostasis, and involvement in modulation of the innate defense system. Despite these important functions, the structures of functional SP-C complexes have remained unclear. SP-C is known to exist as a primarily α-helical structure with an apparently unstructured N-terminal region, yet there is recent evidence that the functions of SP-C could be associated with the formation of SP-C dimers and higher oligomers. In this work, we used molecular dynamics simulations, two-dimensional umbrella sampling, and well-tempered metadynamics to study the details of SP-C dimerization. The results suggest that SP-C dimerizes in pulmonary surfactant membranes, forming dimers of different topologies. The simulations identified a dimerization motif region V21xxxVxxxGxxxM33 that is much larger than the putative A30xxxG34 motif that is commonly assumed to control the dimerization of some α-helical transmembrane domains. The results provide a stronger basis for elucidating how SP-C functions in concert with other surfactant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Korolainen
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Fabio Lolicato
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Giray Enkavi
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jesús Pérez-Gil
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Institute “Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12)”, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Waldemar Kulig
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail: (WK); (IV)
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail: (WK); (IV)
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4
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da Rocha L, Baptista AM, Campos SRR. Approach to Study pH-Dependent Protein Association Using Constant-pH Molecular Dynamics: Application to the Dimerization of β-Lactoglobulin. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:1982-2001. [PMID: 35171602 PMCID: PMC9775224 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.1c01187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein association is often mediated by electrostatic interactions and modulated by pH. However, experimental and computational studies have often overlooked the effect of association on the protonation state of the protein. In this work, we present a methodological approach based on constant-pH molecular dynamics (MD), which aims to provide a detailed description of a pH-dependent protein-protein association, and apply it to the dimerization of β-lactoglobulin (BLG). A selection of analyses is performed using the data generated by constant-pH MD simulations of monomeric and dimeric forms of bovine BLG, in the pH range 3-8. First, we estimate free energies of dimerization using a computationally inexpensive approach based on the Wyman-Tanford linkage theory, calculated in a new way through the use of thermodynamically based splines. The individual free energy contribution of each titratable site is also calculated, allowing for identification of relevant residues. Second, the correlations between the proton occupancies of pairs of sites are calculated (using the Pearson coefficient), and extensive networks of correlated sites are observed at acidic pH values, sometimes involving distant pairs. In general, strongly correlated sites are also slow proton exchangers and contribute significantly to the pH-dependency of the dimerization free energy. Third, we use ionic density as a fingerprint of protein charge distribution and observe electrostatic complementarity between the monomer faces that form the dimer interface, more markedly at the isoionic point (where maximum dimerization occurs) than at other pH values, which might contribute to guide the association. Finally, the pH-dependent dimerization modes are inspected using PCA, among other analyses, and two states are identified: a relaxed state at pH 4-8 (with the typical alignment of the crystallographic structure) and a compact state at pH 3-4 (with a tighter association and rotated alignment). This work shows that an approach based on constant-pH MD simulations can produce rich detailed pictures of pH-dependent protein associations, as illustrated for BLG dimerization.
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5
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Ghosh S, Pandit G, Debnath S, Chatterjee S, Satpati P. Effect of monovalent salt concentration and peptide secondary structure in peptide-micelle binding. RSC Adv 2021; 11:36836-36849. [PMID: 35494385 PMCID: PMC9043568 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra06772a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we reported a cationic 14 residue peptide LL-14 (LKWLKKLLKWLKKL) with salt-sensitive broad-spectrum antimicrobial potency. However, the mechanism of its salt (NaCl) sensitivity remained unclear. In this study, we have reported computational (∼14.2 μs of MD) and experimental (CD, fluorescence) investigations to examine the salt-sensitivity and the role of peptide secondary structure on LL-14 binding to simple membrane mimetic (SDS, DPC) systems. LL-14 was shown to adopt a random coil (Pc) conformation in water and α-helical conformation (Ph) in the peptide:SDS micelle complex, accompanied by tryptophan burial, using both simulations and experiments. Simulations successfully deconvoluted the LL-14:micelle binding event in terms of secondary structure (random coil Pcversus helix Ph) and gave atomic insight into the initial and final LL-14:SDS complexes. Electrostatics drove the N-terminus (L1 and K2) of LL-14 (Pc or Ph) to bind the SDS micellar surface, initiating complex formation. LL-14 in amphipathic Ph conformation bound faster and buried deeper into the SDS micelle relative to Pc. Increasing NaCl concentration incrementally delayed LL-14:micelle binding by shielding the overall charges of the interacting partners. LL-14 binding to the SDS micelle was significantly faster relative to that of the zwitterionic DPC micelle due to electrostatic reasons. Cationic α-helical amphipathic peptides (with positively charged N-terminus) with low salt-ion concentration seemed to be ideal for faster SDS binding. We report computational (∼14.2 μs of MD) and experimental (CD, fluorescence) investigations to examine the salt-sensitivity and the role of the peptide secondary structure on LL-14 binding to simple membrane mimetic systems.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvankar Ghosh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati 781039 Assam India +91-361-2582249 +91-361-2583205
| | - Gopal Pandit
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati 781039 Assam India +91-361-2583310
| | - Swapna Debnath
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati 781039 Assam India +91-361-2583310
| | - Sunanda Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati 781039 Assam India +91-361-2583310
| | - Priyadarshi Satpati
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati 781039 Assam India +91-361-2582249 +91-361-2583205
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6
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Lousa D, Pinto ART, Campos SRR, Baptista AM, Veiga AS, Castanho MARB, Soares CM. Effect of pH on the influenza fusion peptide properties unveiled by constant-pH molecular dynamics simulations combined with experiment. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20082. [PMID: 33208852 PMCID: PMC7674464 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77040-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The influenza virus fusion process, whereby the virus fuses its envelope with the host endosome membrane to release the genetic material, takes place in the acidic late endosome environment. Acidification triggers a large conformational change in the fusion protein, hemagglutinin (HA), which enables the insertion of the N-terminal region of the HA2 subunit, known as the fusion peptide, into the membrane of the host endosome. However, the mechanism by which pH modulates the molecular properties of the fusion peptide remains unclear. To answer this question, we performed the first constant-pH molecular dynamics simulations of the influenza fusion peptide in a membrane, extending for 40 µs of aggregated time. The simulations were combined with spectroscopic data, which showed that the peptide is twofold more active in promoting lipid mixing of model membranes at pH 5 than at pH 7.4. The realistic treatment of protonation introduced by the constant-pH molecular dynamics simulations revealed that low pH stabilizes a vertical membrane-spanning conformation and leads to more frequent contacts between the fusion peptide and the lipid headgroups, which may explain the increase in activity. The study also revealed that the N-terminal region is determinant for the peptide’s effect on the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Lousa
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal.
| | - Antónia R T Pinto
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara R R Campos
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - António M Baptista
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana S Veiga
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel A R B Castanho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cláudio M Soares
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal.
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7
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The Lysosomotropic Activity of Hydrophobic Weak Base Drugs is Mediated via Their Intercalation into the Lysosomal Membrane. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051082. [PMID: 32349204 PMCID: PMC7290590 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipophilic weak base therapeutic agents, termed lysosomotropic drugs (LDs), undergo marked sequestration and concentration within lysosomes, hence altering lysosomal functions. This lysosomal drug entrapment has been described as luminal drug compartmentalization. Consistent with our recent finding that LDs inflict a pH-dependent membrane fluidization, we herein demonstrate that LDs undergo intercalation and concentration within lysosomal membranes. The latter was revealed experimentally and computationally by (a) confocal microscopy of fluorescent compounds and drugs within lysosomal membranes, and (b) molecular dynamics modeling of the pH-dependent membrane insertion and accumulation of an assortment of LDs, including anticancer drugs. Based on the multiple functions of the lysosome as a central nutrient sensory hub and a degradation center, we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the alteration of morphology and impairment of lysosomal functions as consequences of LDs’ intercalation into lysosomes. Our findings bear important implications for drug design, drug induced lysosomal damage, diseases and pertaining therapeutics.
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8
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Filipe LCS, Campos SRR, Machuqueiro M, Darbre T, Baptista AM. Structuring Peptide Dendrimers through pH Modulation and Substrate Binding. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:10138-10152. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b05905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luís C. S. Filipe
- Instituto
de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Sara R. R. Campos
- Instituto
de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Miguel Machuqueiro
- Centro
de Química e Bioquímica and Departamento de Química
e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tamis Darbre
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse
3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - António M. Baptista
- Instituto
de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, EAN, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
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9
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Baoukina S, Tieleman DP. Computer simulations of lung surfactant. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:2431-2440. [PMID: 26922885 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Revised: 02/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Lung surfactant lines the gas-exchange interface in the lungs and reduces the surface tension, which is necessary for breathing. Lung surfactant consists mainly of lipids with a small amount of proteins and forms a monolayer at the air-water interface connected to bilayer reservoirs. Lung surfactant function involves transfer of material between the monolayer and bilayers during the breathing cycle. Lipids and proteins are organized laterally in the monolayer; selected species are possibly preferentially transferred to bilayers. The complex 3D structure of lung surfactant and the exact roles of lipid organization and proteins remain important goals for research. We review recent simulation studies on the properties of lipid monolayers, monolayers with phase coexistence, monolayer-bilayer transformations, lipid-protein interactions, and effects of nanoparticles on lung surfactant. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biosimulations edited by Ilpo Vattulainen and Tomasz Róg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Baoukina
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - D Peter Tieleman
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
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10
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Campos SRR, Iranzo O, Baptista AM. Constant-pH MD Simulations Portray the Protonation and Structural Behavior of Four Decapeptides Designed to Coordinate Cu(2+). J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:1080-91. [PMID: 26813109 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b12052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The cyclic decapeptide C-Asp, containing one Asp residue and three His residues, was designed by Fragoso et al. (Chem. Eur. J. 2013, 19, 2076) to bind Cu(2+) exclusively through the side chain groups and mimic copper coordination in metalloproteins. A variant of the cyclodecapeptide where Asp is substituted by Asn (C-Asn) has also been synthesized in addition to the linear ("open") counterparts of both forms (O-Asp and O-Asn), testing the importance of cyclization and the presence of Asp in Cu(2+) coordination (Chem. Eur. J. 2013, 19, 2076; Dalton Trans. 2013, 42, 6182). All peptides formed a major species at neutral pH that was able to coordinate Cu(2+) exclusively through the neutral imidazole groups and the Asp side chain, when present, with C-Asp being the most effective. A detailed description of the protonation behavior of each histidine could help understanding the coordination species being formed in the pH range and eventually further optimizing the peptide's design. However, the standard current methods (NMR titrations) are not very suited for proximal groups titrating in the same pH range. In this work, we used the stochastic titration constant-pH molecular dynamics method to calculate the protonation curves and pKa of each titrable residue in the four decapeptides, in the absence of Cu(2+) ions. The global protonation curves obtained in our simulations are in very good agreement with the existing potentiometric titration curves. The histidines are titrating very closely, and the Asp forms abundant salt bridges with the basic residues, displaying an unusually low pKa value. In addition, we could observe that the four peptides are very unstructured in the absence of copper, and not even the cyclic forms exhibit a significant β-sheet, unlike what could be expected from the presence of β-turn inducer units in this type of scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R R Campos
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa , Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Olga Iranzo
- Aix Marseille Université , Centrale Marseille, CNRS, iSm2 UMR 7313, 13397 Marseille, France
| | - António M Baptista
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa , Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
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11
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Teixeira VH, Vila-Viçosa D, Reis PBPS, Machuqueiro M. pKa Values of Titrable Amino Acids at the Water/Membrane Interface. J Chem Theory Comput 2016; 12:930-4. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.5b01114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vitor H. Teixeira
- Centro de Química
e Bioquímica, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica,
Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diogo Vila-Viçosa
- Centro de Química
e Bioquímica, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica,
Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro B. P. S. Reis
- Centro de Química
e Bioquímica, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica,
Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Machuqueiro
- Centro de Química
e Bioquímica, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica,
Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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