1
|
Osella S. Artificial Photosynthesis: Is Computation Ready for the Challenge Ahead? NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11020299. [PMID: 33498961 PMCID: PMC7911014 DOI: 10.3390/nano11020299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A tremendous effort is currently devoted to the generation of novel hybrid materials with enhanced electronic properties for the creation of artificial photosynthetic systems. This compelling and challenging problem is well-defined from an experimental point of view, as the design of such materials relies on combining organic materials or metals with biological systems like light harvesting and redox-active proteins. Such hybrid systems can be used, e.g., as bio-sensors, bio-fuel cells, biohybrid photoelectrochemical cells, and nanostructured photoelectronic devices. Despite these efforts, the main bottleneck is the formation of efficient interfaces between the biological and the organic/metal counterparts for efficient electron transfer (ET). It is within this aspect that computation can make the difference and improve the current understanding of the mechanisms underneath the interface formation and the charge transfer efficiency. Yet, the systems considered (i.e., light harvesting protein, self-assembly monolayer and surface assembly) are more and more complex, reaching (and often passing) the limit of current computation power. In this review, recent developments in computational methods for studying complex interfaces for artificial photosynthesis will be provided and selected cases discussed, to assess the inherent ability of computation to leave a mark in this field of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Osella
- Chemical and Biological Systems Simulation Lab, Center of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2C, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kaiser J, Castellano M, Gnandt D, Koslowski T. Monte Carlo simulation and thermodynamic integration applied to protein charge transfer. J Comput Chem 2020; 41:1105-1115. [PMID: 31981372 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.26155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We introduce a combination of Monte Carlo simulation and thermodynamic integration methods to address a model problem in free energy computations, electron transfer in proteins. The feasibility of this approach is tested using the ferredoxin protein from Clostridium acidurici. The results are compared to numerical solutions of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation and data from recent molecular dynamics simulations on charge transfer in a protein complex, the NrfHA nitrite reductase of Desulfovibrio vulgaris. Despite the conceptual and computational simplicity of the Monte Carlo approach, the data agree well with those obtained by other methods. A link to experiments is established via the cytochrome subunit of the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center of Rhodopseudomonas viridis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kaiser
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Mike Castellano
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - David Gnandt
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Thorsten Koslowski
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gnandt D, Koslowski T. Long-range electron-electron interaction and charge transfer in protein complexes: a numerical approach. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:18595-18604. [PMID: 31414082 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp03141c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
With application to the nitrite reductase hexameric protein complex of Desulfovibrio vulgaris, NrfH2A4, we suggest a strategy to compute the energy landscape of electron transfer in large systems of biochemical interest. For small complexes, the energy of all electronic configurations can be scanned completely on the level of a numerical solution of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation. In contrast, larger systems have to be treated using a pair approximation, which is verified here. Effective Coulomb interactions between neighbouring sites of excess electron localization may become as large as 200 meV, and they depend in a nontrivial manner on the intersite distance. We discuss the implications of strong Coulomb interactions on the thermodynamics and kinetics of charging and decharging a protein complex. Finally, we turn to the effect of embedding the system into a biomembrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Gnandt
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 23a, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Na S, Steinbrecher T, Koslowski T. Thermodynamic integration network approach to ion transport through protein channels: Perspectives and limits. J Comput Chem 2018; 39:2539-2550. [DOI: 10.1002/jcc.25615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sehee Na
- Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie, Institut für Physikalische ChemieUniversität Freiburg Albertstraße 23a, 79104, Freiburg im Breisgau Germany
| | | | - Thorsten Koslowski
- Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie, Institut für Physikalische ChemieUniversität Freiburg Albertstraße 23a, 79104, Freiburg im Breisgau Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Na S, Jurkovic S, Friedrich T, Koslowski T. Charge transfer through a fragment of the respiratory complex I and its regulation: an atomistic simulation approach. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:20023-20032. [PMID: 30022212 DOI: 10.1039/c8cp02420k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
We simulate electron transfer within a fragment of the NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (respiratory complex I) of the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus. We apply molecular dynamics simulations, thermodynamic integration, and a thermodynamic network least squares analysis to compute two key parameters of Marcus' theory of charge transfer, the thermodynamic driving force and the reorganization energy. Intramolecular contributions to the Gibbs free energy differences of electron and hydrogen transfer processes, ΔG, are accessed by calibrating against experimental redox titration data. This approach permits the computation of the interactions between the species NAD+, FMNH2, N1a-, and N3-, and the construction of a free energy surface for the flow of electrons within the fragment. We find NAD+ to be a strong candidate for the regulation of charge transfer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sehee Na
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße23a, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gnandt D, Na S, Koslowski T. Simulating biological charge transfer: Continuum dielectric theory or molecular dynamics? Biophys Chem 2018; 241:1-7. [PMID: 30036762 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
We study the thermodynamic parameters of Marcus's theory of charge transfer, the driving forces and the reorganization energies, using two widely applied approaches to bioenergetic problems that seem to be radically different: continuum dielectric theory via a numerical solution of Poisson's equation, and the thermodynamic integration approach based upon classical Newtonian molecular dynamics, as perfomed by Na et al., PCCP 19, 18,938 (2017). With application to a nitrite reductase NrfHA protein heterodimer, we obtain an excellent agreement between the respective driving forces with an r.m.s. deviation of 1.7 kcal/mol, and a lower limit to the reorganization energies. The computational methods turn out to be mutually supportive: molecular dynamics can be used to determine the parameters of a dielectric theory computation, which on the other hand can be used to properly rescale the reorganization energies and partition them into aqueous and protein contributions. In addition, we use the electrostatic approach to study the influence of Ca2+ ions on the free energy landscape of charge transfer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Gnandt
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 23a, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Sehee Na
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 23a, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Thorsten Koslowski
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 23a, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Na S, Bauß A, Langenmaier M, Koslowski T. Thermodynamic integration network study of electron transfer: from proteins to aggregates. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017; 19:18938-18947. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cp03030d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We describe electron transfer through the NrfHA nitrite reductase using a thermodynamic integration scheme. Driving forces are hardly affected by dimerization, but the transport mechanism only emerges simulating the dimer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sehee Na
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie
- Universität Freiburg
- D-79104 Freiburg im Breisgau
- Germany
| | - Anna Bauß
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie
- Universität Freiburg
- D-79104 Freiburg im Breisgau
- Germany
| | - Michael Langenmaier
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie
- Universität Freiburg
- D-79104 Freiburg im Breisgau
- Germany
| | - Thorsten Koslowski
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie
- Universität Freiburg
- D-79104 Freiburg im Breisgau
- Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bauß A, Langenmaier M, Strittmatter E, Plattner DA, Koslowski T. Thermodynamic Integration Networks and Their Application to Charge Transfer Reactions within the AauDyPI Fungal Peroxidase. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:4937-44. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b03327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bauß
- Institut
für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße
23a, D-79104 Freiburg
im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Michael Langenmaier
- Institut
für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße
23a, D-79104 Freiburg
im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Eric Strittmatter
- Institut
für Organische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße
21, D-79104 Freiburg
im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Dietmar A. Plattner
- Institut
für Organische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße
21, D-79104 Freiburg
im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Thorsten Koslowski
- Institut
für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße
23a, D-79104 Freiburg
im Breisgau, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wei T, Ma H, Nakano A. Decaheme Cytochrome MtrF Adsorption and Electron Transfer on Gold Surface. J Phys Chem Lett 2016; 7:929-36. [PMID: 26886399 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5b02746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Emergent electrical properties of multiheme cytochromes have promising applications. We performed hybrid simulations (molecular dynamics, free energy computation, and kinetic Monte Carlo) to study decaheme cytochrome, MtrF adsorption on an Au (111) surface in water and the electron transfer (ET) efficiency. Our results reveal that the gold surface's dehydration serves as a crucial driving force for protein adsorption due to large surface tension. The most possible adsorption orientation is with the ET terminal (heme5) approaching the gold surface, which yields a pathway for ET between the substrate and the aqueous environment. Upon adsorption, protein's secondary structures and central domains (II and IV) bonded with heme-residues remain relatively stable. MtrF surface mobility is dictated by thiol-gold interaction and strong binding between Au(111) and peptide aromatic groups. ET transfer rate across protein heme-network along the solvent-to-surface direction is slightly larger than that of the reverse direction, but lower than that of the solvation structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wei
- Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical Engineering, Lamar University , Beaumont, Texas 77710, United States
| | - Heng Ma
- Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical Engineering, Lamar University , Beaumont, Texas 77710, United States
| | - Aiichiro Nakano
- Department of Computer Science, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California 90089-0781, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California 90089-0484, United States
- Molecular and Computational Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California 90089-0371, United States
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California 90089-1211, United States
| |
Collapse
|