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Antolínez S, Jones PE, Phillips JC, Hadden-Perilla JA. AMBERff at Scale: Multimillion-Atom Simulations with AMBER Force Fields in NAMD. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:543-554. [PMID: 38176097 PMCID: PMC10806814 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
All-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are an essential structural biology technique with increasing application to multimillion-atom systems, including viruses and cellular machinery. Classical MD simulations rely on parameter sets, such as the AMBER family of force fields (AMBERff), to accurately describe molecular motion. Here, we present an implementation of AMBERff for use in NAMD that overcomes previous limitations to enable high-performance, massively parallel simulations encompassing up to two billion atoms. Single-point potential energy comparisons and case studies on model systems demonstrate that the implementation produces results that are as accurate as running AMBERff in its native engine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Antolínez
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Peter Eugene Jones
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - James C. Phillips
- National
Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jodi A. Hadden-Perilla
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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2
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Molecular basis of the selective processing of short mRNA substrates by the DcpS mRNA decapping enzyme. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:19237-19244. [PMID: 32723815 PMCID: PMC7431086 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2009362117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In eukoryotes, 3′ to 5′ mRNA degradation is a major pathway to reduce mRNA levels and, thus, an important means to regulate gene expression. Herein, messenger RNA (mRNA) is hydrolyzed from the 3′ end by the exosome complex, producing short capped RNA fragments, which are decapped by DcpS. Our data show that DcpS is only active on mRNA that have undergone prior processing by the exosome. This DcpS selection mechanism is conserved from yeast to humans and is caused by the inability of the enzyme to undergo structural changes that are required for the formation of a catalytically active state around long mRNA transcripts. Our work thus reveals the mechanistic basis that ensures an efficient interplay between DcpS and the exosome. The 5′ messenger RNA (mRNA) cap structure enhances translation and protects the transcript against exonucleolytic degradation. During mRNA turnover, this cap is removed from the mRNA. This decapping step is catalyzed by the Scavenger Decapping Enzyme (DcpS), in case the mRNA has been exonucleolyticly shortened from the 3′ end by the exosome complex. Here, we show that DcpS only processes mRNA fragments that are shorter than three nucleotides in length. Based on a combination of methyl transverse relaxation optimized (TROSY) NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, we established that the DcpS substrate length-sensing mechanism is based on steric clashes between the enzyme and the third nucleotide of a capped mRNA. For longer mRNA substrates, these clashes prevent conformational changes in DcpS that are required for the formation of a catalytically competent active site. Point mutations that enlarge the space for the third nucleotide in the mRNA body enhance the activity of DcpS on longer mRNA species. We find that this mechanism to ensure that the enzyme is not active on translating long mRNAs is conserved from yeast to humans. Finally, we show that the products that the exosome releases after 3′ to 5′ degradation of the mRNA body are indeed short enough to be decapped by DcpS. Our data thus directly confirms the notion that mRNA products of the exosome are direct substrates for DcpS. In summary, we demonstrate a direct relationship between conformational changes and enzyme activity that is exploited to achieve substrate selectivity.
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3
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Boyer B, Danilowicz C, Prentiss M, Prévost C. Weaving DNA strands: structural insight on ATP hydrolysis in RecA-induced homologous recombination. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:7798-7808. [PMID: 31372639 PMCID: PMC6735932 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Homologous recombination is a fundamental process in all living organisms that allows the faithful repair of DNA double strand breaks, through the exchange of DNA strands between homologous regions of the genome. Results of three decades of investigation and recent fruitful observations have unveiled key elements of the reaction mechanism, which proceeds along nucleofilaments of recombinase proteins of the RecA family. Yet, one essential aspect of homologous recombination has largely been overlooked when deciphering the mechanism: while ATP is hydrolyzed in large quantity during the process, how exactly hydrolysis influences the DNA strand exchange reaction at the structural level remains to be elucidated. In this study, we build on a previous geometrical approach that studied the RecA filament variability without bound DNA to examine the putative implication of ATP hydrolysis on the structure, position, and interactions of up to three DNA strands within the RecA nucleofilament. Simulation results on modeled intermediates in the ATP cycle bring important clues about how local distortions in the DNA strand geometries resulting from ATP hydrolysis can aid sequence recognition by promoting local melting of already formed DNA heteroduplex and transient reverse strand exchange in a weaving type of mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Boyer
- CNRS, Université de Paris, UPR 9080, Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France.,Presently in Laboratoire Génomique Bioinformatique et Applications, EA4627, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, 292 rue Saint Martin, 75003 Paris, France
| | | | - Mara Prentiss
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Chantal Prévost
- CNRS, Université de Paris, UPR 9080, Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France.,Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique-Fondation Edmond de Rothschild, PSL Research University, Paris, France
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4
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Dos Santos RF, Quendera AP, Boavida S, Seixas AF, Arraiano CM, Andrade JM. Major 3'-5' Exoribonucleases in the Metabolism of Coding and Non-coding RNA. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 159:101-155. [PMID: 30340785 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
3'-5' exoribonucleases are key enzymes in the degradation of superfluous or aberrant RNAs and in the maturation of precursor RNAs into their functional forms. The major bacterial 3'-5' exoribonucleases responsible for both these activities are PNPase, RNase II and RNase R. These enzymes are of ancient nature with widespread distribution. In eukaryotes, PNPase and RNase II/RNase R enzymes can be found in the cytosol and in mitochondria and chloroplasts; RNase II/RNase R-like enzymes are also found in the nucleus. Humans express one PNPase (PNPT1) and three RNase II/RNase R family members (Dis3, Dis3L and Dis3L2). These enzymes take part in a multitude of RNA surveillance mechanisms that are critical for translation accuracy. Although active against a wide range of both coding and non-coding RNAs, the different 3'-5' exoribonucleases exhibit distinct substrate affinities. The latest studies on these RNA degradative enzymes have contributed to the identification of additional homologue proteins, the uncovering of novel RNA degradation pathways, and to a better comprehension of several disease-related processes and response to stress, amongst many other exciting findings. Here, we provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview on the function, structure, regulation and substrate preference of the key 3'-5' exoribonucleases involved in RNA metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo F Dos Santos
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana P Quendera
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Sofia Boavida
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - André F Seixas
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Cecília M Arraiano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - José M Andrade
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal.
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Mlýnský V, Bussi G. Exploring RNA structure and dynamics through enhanced sampling simulations. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2018; 49:63-71. [PMID: 29414513 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
RNA function is intimately related to its structural dynamics. Molecular dynamics simulations are useful for exploring biomolecular flexibility but are severely limited by the accessible timescale. Enhanced sampling methods allow this timescale to be effectively extended in order to probe biologically relevant conformational changes and chemical reactions. Here, we review the role of enhanced sampling techniques in the study of RNA systems. We discuss the challenges and promises associated with the application of these methods to force-field validation, exploration of conformational landscapes and ion/ligand-RNA interactions, as well as catalytic pathways. Important technical aspects of these methods, such as the choice of the biased collective variables and the analysis of multi-replica simulations, are examined in detail. Finally, a perspective on the role of these methods in the characterization of RNA dynamics is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtěch Mlýnský
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, SISSA, via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bussi
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, SISSA, via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy.
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Gorle S, Vuković L. Nanoscale Dynamics and Energetics of Proteins and Protein-Nucleic Acid Complexes in Classical Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1814:579-592. [PMID: 29956256 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8591-3_34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The present article describes techniques for classical simulations of proteins and protein-nucleic acid complexes, revealing their dynamics and protein-substrate binding energies. The approach is based on classical atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the experimentally determined structures of the complexes. MD simulations can provide dynamics of complexes in realistic solvents on microsecond timescales, and the free energy methods are able to provide Gibbs free energies of binding of substrates, such as nucleic acids, to proteins. The chapter describes methodologies for the preparation of computer models of biomolecular complexes and free energy perturbation methodology for evaluating Gibbs free energies of binding. The applications are illustrated with examples of snapshots of proteins and their complexes with nucleic acids, as well as the precise Gibbs free energies of binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Gorle
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Lela Vuković
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.
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7
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Integrated structural biology to unravel molecular mechanisms of protein-RNA recognition. Methods 2017; 118-119:119-136. [PMID: 28315749 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in RNA sequencing technologies have greatly expanded our knowledge of the RNA landscape in cells, often with spatiotemporal resolution. These techniques identified many new (often non-coding) RNA molecules. Large-scale studies have also discovered novel RNA binding proteins (RBPs), which exhibit single or multiple RNA binding domains (RBDs) for recognition of specific sequence or structured motifs in RNA. Starting from these large-scale approaches it is crucial to unravel the molecular principles of protein-RNA recognition in ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) to understand the underlying mechanisms of gene regulation. Structural biology and biophysical studies at highest possible resolution are key to elucidate molecular mechanisms of RNA recognition by RBPs and how conformational dynamics, weak interactions and cooperative binding contribute to the formation of specific, context-dependent RNPs. While large compact RNPs can be well studied by X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, analysis of dynamics and weak interaction necessitates the use of solution methods to capture these properties. Here, we illustrate methods to study the structure and conformational dynamics of protein-RNA complexes in solution starting from the identification of interaction partners in a given RNP. Biophysical and biochemical techniques support the characterization of a protein-RNA complex and identify regions relevant in structural analysis. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful tool to gain information on folding, stability and dynamics of RNAs and characterize RNPs in solution. It provides crucial information that is complementary to the static pictures derived from other techniques. NMR can be readily combined with other solution techniques, such as small angle X-ray and/or neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), which provide information about overall shapes, internal domain arrangements and dynamics. Principles of protein-RNA recognition and current approaches are reviewed and illustrated with recent studies.
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The Rrp4-exosome complex recruits and channels substrate RNA by a unique mechanism. Nat Chem Biol 2017; 13:522-528. [PMID: 28288106 PMCID: PMC5392361 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The exosome is a large molecular machine that is involved in RNA degradation and processing. Here, we address how the trimeric Rrp4 cap enhances the activity of the archaeal enzyme complex. Using methyl TROSY NMR methods we identified a 50 Å long RNA binding path on each Rrp4 protomer. We show that the Rrp4 cap can thus recruit three substrates simultaneously, one of which is degraded in the core while two others are positioned for subsequent degradation rounds. The local interaction energy between the substrate and the Rrp4-exosome increases from the periphery of the complex towards the active sites. Importantly, the intrinsic interaction strength between the cap and the substrate is weakened as soon as substrates enter the catalytic barrel, which provides a means to reduce friction during substrate movements towards the active sites. Our data thus reveal a sophisticated exosome–substrate interaction mechanism that enables efficient RNA degradation.
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