1
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Ballabio F, Paissoni C, Bollati M, de Rosa M, Capelli R, Camilloni C. Accurate and Efficient SAXS/SANS Implementation Including Solvation Layer Effects Suitable for Molecular Simulations. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:8401-8413. [PMID: 37923304 PMCID: PMC10687869 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS) provide valuable insights into the structure and dynamics of biomolecules in solution, complementing a wide range of structural techniques, including molecular dynamics simulations. As contrast-based methods, they are sensitive not only to structural properties but also to solvent-solute interactions. Their use in molecular dynamics simulations requires a forward model that should be as fast and accurate as possible. In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of calculating SAXS and SANS intensities using a coarse-grained representation consisting of one bead per amino acid and three beads per nucleic acid, with form factors that can be corrected on the fly to account for solvation effects at no additional computational cost. By coupling this forward model with molecular dynamics simulations restrained with SAS data, it is possible to determine conformational ensembles or refine the structure and dynamics of proteins and nucleic acids in agreement with the experimental results. To assess the robustness of this approach, we applied it to gelsolin, for which we acquired SAXS data on its closed state, and to a UP1-microRNA complex, for which we used previously collected measurements. Our hybrid-resolution small-angle scattering (hySAS) implementation, being distributed in PLUMED, can be used with atomistic and coarse-grained simulations using diverse restraining strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Ballabio
- Dipartimento
di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi
di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Cristina Paissoni
- Dipartimento
di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi
di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Bollati
- Dipartimento
di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi
di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
- Istituto
di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle
Ricerche (IBF-CNR), via
Alfonso Corti 12, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Matteo de Rosa
- Dipartimento
di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi
di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
- Istituto
di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle
Ricerche (IBF-CNR), via
Alfonso Corti 12, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Capelli
- Dipartimento
di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi
di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Carlo Camilloni
- Dipartimento
di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi
di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
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2
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Luo S, Wohl S, Zheng W, Yang S. Biophysical and Integrative Characterization of Protein Intrinsic Disorder as a Prime Target for Drug Discovery. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13030530. [PMID: 36979465 PMCID: PMC10046839 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030530] [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: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein intrinsic disorder is increasingly recognized for its biological and disease-driven functions. However, it represents significant challenges for biophysical studies due to its high conformational flexibility. In addressing these challenges, we highlight the complementary and distinct capabilities of a range of experimental and computational methods and further describe integrative strategies available for combining these techniques. Integrative biophysics methods provide valuable insights into the sequence–structure–function relationship of disordered proteins, setting the stage for protein intrinsic disorder to become a promising target for drug discovery. Finally, we briefly summarize recent advances in the development of new small molecule inhibitors targeting the disordered N-terminal domains of three vital transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqi Luo
- Center for Proteomics and Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Samuel Wohl
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Wenwei Zheng
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ 85212, USA
- Correspondence: (W.Z.); (S.Y.)
| | - Sichun Yang
- Center for Proteomics and Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Correspondence: (W.Z.); (S.Y.)
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3
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Biomotors, viral assembly, and RNA nanobiotechnology: Current achievements and future directions. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:6120-6137. [PMID: 36420155 PMCID: PMC9672130 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The International Society of RNA Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine (ISRNN) serves to further the development of a wide variety of functional nucleic acids and other related nanotechnology platforms. To aid in the dissemination of the most recent advancements, a biennial discussion focused on biomotors, viral assembly, and RNA nanobiotechnology has been established where international experts in interdisciplinary fields such as structural biology, biophysical chemistry, nanotechnology, cell and cancer biology, and pharmacology share their latest accomplishments and future perspectives. The results summarized here highlight advancements in our understanding of viral biology and the structure-function relationship of frame-shifting elements in genomic viral RNA, improvements in the predictions of SHAPE analysis of 3D RNA structures, and the understanding of dynamic RNA structures through a variety of experimental and computational means. Additionally, recent advances in the drug delivery, vaccine design, nanopore technologies, biomotor and biomachine development, DNA packaging, RNA nanotechnology, and drug delivery are included in this critical review. We emphasize some of the novel accomplishments, major discussion topics, and present current challenges and perspectives of these emerging fields.
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4
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Marrink SJ, Monticelli L, Melo MN, Alessandri R, Tieleman DP, Souza PCT. Two decades of Martini: Better beads, broader scope. WIRES COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Siewert J. Marrink
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute & Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials University of Groningen Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Luca Monticelli
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB ‐ UMR 5086) CNRS & University of Lyon Lyon France
| | - Manuel N. Melo
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa Oeiras Portugal
| | - Riccardo Alessandri
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering University of Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
| | - D. Peter Tieleman
- Centre for Molecular Simulation and Department of Biological Sciences University of Calgary Alberta Canada
| | - Paulo C. T. Souza
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry (MMSB ‐ UMR 5086) CNRS & University of Lyon Lyon France
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5
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Yunoki Y, Matsumoto A, Morishima K, Martel A, Porcar L, Sato N, Yogo R, Tominaga T, Inoue R, Yagi-Utsumi M, Okuda A, Shimizu M, Urade R, Terauchi K, Kono H, Yagi H, Kato K, Sugiyama M. Overall structure of fully assembled cyanobacterial KaiABC circadian clock complex by an integrated experimental-computational approach. Commun Biol 2022; 5:184. [PMID: 35273347 PMCID: PMC8913699 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03143-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the cyanobacterial circadian clock system, KaiA, KaiB and KaiC periodically assemble into a large complex. Here we determined the overall structure of their fully assembled complex by integrating experimental and computational approaches. Small-angle X-ray and inverse contrast matching small-angle neutron scatterings coupled with size-exclusion chromatography provided constraints to highlight the spatial arrangements of the N-terminal domains of KaiA, which were not resolved in the previous structural analyses. Computationally built 20 million structural models of the complex were screened out utilizing the constrains and then subjected to molecular dynamics simulations to examine their stabilities. The final model suggests that, despite large fluctuation of the KaiA N-terminal domains, their preferential positionings mask the hydrophobic surface of the KaiA C-terminal domains, hindering additional KaiA-KaiC interactions. Thus, our integrative approach provides a useful tool to resolve large complex structures harboring dynamically fluctuating domains. The revealed full KaiA12B6C6 complex is assembled including the dynamic and asynchronous KaiA N-terminal domains that have been missing in cryo-EM structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Yunoki
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS) and Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, 444-8787, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuhoku, Nagoya, 467-8603, Japan.,Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashironishi, Kumatori, Sennan-gun, Osaka, 590-0494, Japan
| | - Atsushi Matsumoto
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Umemidai, Kizu, Kyoto, 619-0215, Japan
| | - Ken Morishima
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashironishi, Kumatori, Sennan-gun, Osaka, 590-0494, Japan
| | - Anne Martel
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71, avenue des martyrs, 38042, Grenoble, France
| | - Lionel Porcar
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71, avenue des martyrs, 38042, Grenoble, France
| | - Nobuhiro Sato
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashironishi, Kumatori, Sennan-gun, Osaka, 590-0494, Japan
| | - Rina Yogo
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS) and Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, 444-8787, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuhoku, Nagoya, 467-8603, Japan.,Biomedical Research Centre, School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of British Columbia, 2222 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Taiki Tominaga
- Neutron Science and Technology Center, Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society (CROSS), Tokai, Ibaraki, 319-1106, Japan
| | - Rintaro Inoue
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashironishi, Kumatori, Sennan-gun, Osaka, 590-0494, Japan
| | - Maho Yagi-Utsumi
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS) and Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, 444-8787, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuhoku, Nagoya, 467-8603, Japan
| | - Aya Okuda
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashironishi, Kumatori, Sennan-gun, Osaka, 590-0494, Japan
| | - Masahiro Shimizu
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashironishi, Kumatori, Sennan-gun, Osaka, 590-0494, Japan
| | - Reiko Urade
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashironishi, Kumatori, Sennan-gun, Osaka, 590-0494, Japan
| | - Kazuki Terauchi
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Kono
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Umemidai, Kizu, Kyoto, 619-0215, Japan.
| | - Hirokazu Yagi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuhoku, Nagoya, 467-8603, Japan.
| | - Koichi Kato
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS) and Institute for Molecular Science (IMS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, 444-8787, Japan. .,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 3-1 Tanabe-dori, Mizuhoku, Nagoya, 467-8603, Japan.
| | - Masaaki Sugiyama
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2-1010 Asashironishi, Kumatori, Sennan-gun, Osaka, 590-0494, Japan.
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6
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Bernetti M, Hall KB, Bussi G. Reweighting of molecular simulations with explicit-solvent SAXS restraints elucidates ion-dependent RNA ensembles. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:e84. [PMID: 34107023 PMCID: PMC8373061 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments are increasingly used to probe RNA structure. A number of forward models that relate measured SAXS intensities and structural features, and that are suitable to model either explicit-solvent effects or solute dynamics, have been proposed in the past years. Here, we introduce an approach that integrates atomistic molecular dynamics simulations and SAXS experiments to reconstruct RNA structural ensembles while simultaneously accounting for both RNA conformational dynamics and explicit-solvent effects. Our protocol exploits SAXS pure-solute forward models and enhanced sampling methods to sample an heterogenous ensemble of structures, with no information towards the experiments provided on-the-fly. The generated structural ensemble is then reweighted through the maximum entropy principle so as to match reference SAXS experimental data at multiple ionic conditions. Importantly, accurate explicit-solvent forward models are used at this reweighting stage. We apply this framework to the GTPase-associated center, a relevant RNA molecule involved in protein translation, in order to elucidate its ion-dependent conformational ensembles. We show that (a) both solvent and dynamics are crucial to reproduce experimental SAXS data and (b) the resulting dynamical ensembles contain an ion-dependent fraction of extended structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Bernetti
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Via Bonomea 265, Trieste 34136, Italy
| | - Kathleen B Hall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Giovanni Bussi
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Via Bonomea 265, Trieste 34136, Italy
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7
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Saad D, Paissoni C, Chaves-Sanjuan A, Nardini M, Mantovani R, Gnesutta N, Camilloni C. High Conformational Flexibility of the E2F1/DP1/DNA Complex. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167119. [PMID: 34181981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The E2F1 transcription factor is a master regulator of cell-cycle progression whose uncontrolled activation contributes to tumor cells growth. E2F1 binds DNA as a heterodimer with DP partners, resulting in a multi-domain quaternary-structure complex composed of DNA binding domains, a coiled coil domain and a marked box domain separated by short linkers. Building on the 3D knowledge of the single domains of E2F and DPs, we characterized the structure and dynamics of the complete E2F1/DP1/DNA complex by a combination of small-angle X-ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulations. It shows an asymmetric contribution of the dynamics of the two proteins. Namely, the coiled-coil domain leans toward the DP1 side of the complex; the DP1 loop between α2 and α3 of the DBD partially populates a helical structure leaning far from the DNA and in the same direction of the coiled-coil domain; and the N-terminal disordered region of DP1, rich in basic residues, contributes to DNA binding stabilization. Intriguingly, tumor mutations in the flexible regions of the complex suggest that perturbation of protein dynamics could affect protein function in a context-dependent way. Our data suggest fundamental contributions of DP proteins in distinct aspects of E2F biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Saad
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Cristina Paissoni
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Antonio Chaves-Sanjuan
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Nardini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Nerina Gnesutta
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Carlo Camilloni
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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8
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Paissoni C, Camilloni C. How to Determine Accurate Conformational Ensembles by Metadynamics Metainference: A Chignolin Study Case. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:694130. [PMID: 34124166 PMCID: PMC8187852 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.694130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The reliability and usefulness of molecular dynamics simulations of equilibrium processes rests on their statistical precision and their capability to generate conformational ensembles in agreement with available experimental knowledge. Metadynamics Metainference (M&M), coupling molecular dynamics with the enhanced sampling ability of Metadynamics and with the ability to integrate experimental information of Metainference, can in principle achieve both goals. Here we show that three different Metadynamics setups provide converged estimate of the populations of the three-states populated by a model peptide. Errors are estimated correctly by block averaging, but higher precision is obtained by performing independent replicates. One effect of Metadynamics is that of dramatically decreasing the number of effective frames resulting from the simulations and this is relevant for M&M where the number of replicas should be large enough to capture the conformational heterogeneity behind the experimental data. Our simulations allow also us to propose that monitoring the relative error associated with conformational averaging can help to determine the minimum number of replicas to be simulated in the context of M&M simulations. Altogether our data provides useful indication on how to generate sound conformational ensemble in agreement with experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Paissoni
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Camilloni
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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9
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Ahmed MC, Skaanning LK, Jussupow A, Newcombe EA, Kragelund BB, Camilloni C, Langkilde AE, Lindorff-Larsen K. Refinement of α-Synuclein Ensembles Against SAXS Data: Comparison of Force Fields and Methods. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:654333. [PMID: 33968988 PMCID: PMC8100456 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.654333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The inherent flexibility of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) makes it difficult to interpret experimental data using structural models. On the other hand, molecular dynamics simulations of IDPs often suffer from force-field inaccuracies, and long simulation times or enhanced sampling methods are needed to obtain converged ensembles. Here, we apply metainference and Bayesian/Maximum Entropy reweighting approaches to integrate prior knowledge of the system with experimental data, while also dealing with various sources of errors and the inherent conformational heterogeneity of IDPs. We have measured new SAXS data on the protein α-synuclein, and integrate this with simulations performed using different force fields. We find that if the force field gives rise to ensembles that are much more compact than what is implied by the SAXS data it is difficult to recover a reasonable ensemble. On the other hand, we show that when the simulated ensemble is reasonable, we can obtain an ensemble that is consistent with the SAXS data, but also with NMR diffusion and paramagnetic relaxation enhancement data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustapha Carab Ahmed
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Line K Skaanning
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexander Jussupow
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Estella A Newcombe
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birthe B Kragelund
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carlo Camilloni
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Annette E Langkilde
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kresten Lindorff-Larsen
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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10
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Hsu DJ, Leshchev D, Kosheleva I, Kohlstedt KL, Chen LX. Unfolding bovine α-lactalbumin with T-jump: Characterizing disordered intermediates via time-resolved x-ray solution scattering and molecular dynamics simulations. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:105101. [PMID: 33722011 PMCID: PMC7943248 DOI: 10.1063/5.0039194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein folding process often proceeds through partially folded transient states. Therefore, a structural understanding of these disordered states is crucial for developing mechanistic models of the folding process. Characterization of unfolded states remains challenging due to their disordered nature, and incorporating multiple methods is necessary. Combining the time-resolved x-ray solution scattering (TRXSS) signal with molecular dynamics (MD), we are able to characterize transient partially folded states of bovine α-lactalbumin, a model system widely used for investigation of molten globule states, during its unfolding triggered by a temperature jump. We track the unfolding process between 20 µs and 70 ms and demonstrate that it passes through three distinct kinetic states. The scattering signals associated with these transient species are then analyzed with TRXSS constrained MD simulations to produce protein structures that are compatible with the input signals. Without utilizing any experimentally extracted kinetic information, the constrained MD simulation successfully drove the protein to an intermediate molten globule state; signals for two later disordered states are refined to terminal unfolded states. From our examination of the structural characteristics of these disordered states, we discuss the implications disordered states have on the folding process, especially on the folding pathway. Finally, we discuss the potential applications and limitations of this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J. Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Denis Leshchev
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Irina Kosheleva
- Center for Advanced Radiation Sources, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Kevin L. Kohlstedt
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Lin X. Chen
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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11
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Jussupow A, Messias AC, Stehle R, Geerlof A, Solbak SMØ, Paissoni C, Bach A, Sattler M, Camilloni C. The dynamics of linear polyubiquitin. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/42/eabc3786. [PMID: 33055165 PMCID: PMC7556843 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc3786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Polyubiquitin chains are flexible multidomain proteins, whose conformational dynamics enable them to regulate multiple biological pathways. Their dynamic is determined by the linkage between ubiquitins and by the number of ubiquitin units. Characterizing polyubiquitin behavior as a function of their length is hampered because of increasing system size and conformational variability. Here, we introduce a new approach to efficiently integrating small-angle x-ray scattering with simulations allowing us to accurately characterize the dynamics of linear di-, tri-, and tetraubiquitin in the free state as well as of diubiquitin in complex with NEMO, a central regulator in the NF-κB pathway. Our results show that the behavior of the diubiquitin subunits is independent of the presence of additional ubiquitin modules and that the dynamics of polyubiquitins with different lengths follow a simple model. Together with experimental data from multiple biophysical techniques, we then rationalize the 2:1 NEMO:polyubiquitin binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Jussupow
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Garching 85747, Germany
| | - Ana C Messias
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching 85747, Germany
| | - Ralf Stehle
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching 85747, Germany
| | - Arie Geerlof
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching 85747, Germany
| | - Sara M Ø Solbak
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cristina Paissoni
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Anders Bach
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Sattler
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg 85764, Germany.
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching 85747, Germany
| | - Carlo Camilloni
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Garching 85747, Germany.
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
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12
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Bernetti M, Bertazzo M, Masetti M. Data-Driven Molecular Dynamics: A Multifaceted Challenge. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:E253. [PMID: 32961909 PMCID: PMC7557855 DOI: 10.3390/ph13090253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The big data concept is currently revolutionizing several fields of science including drug discovery and development. While opening up new perspectives for better drug design and related strategies, big data analysis strongly challenges our current ability to manage and exploit an extraordinarily large and possibly diverse amount of information. The recent renewal of machine learning (ML)-based algorithms is key in providing the proper framework for addressing this issue. In this respect, the impact on the exploitation of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, which have recently reached mainstream status in computational drug discovery, can be remarkable. Here, we review the recent progress in the use of ML methods coupled to biomolecular simulations with potentially relevant implications for drug design. Specifically, we show how different ML-based strategies can be applied to the outcome of MD simulations for gaining knowledge and enhancing sampling. Finally, we discuss how intrinsic limitations of MD in accurately modeling biomolecular systems can be alleviated by including information coming from experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Bernetti
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, I-34136 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Martina Bertazzo
- Computational Sciences, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy;
| | - Matteo Masetti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
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13
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Hsu DJ, Leshchev D, Kosheleva I, Kohlstedt KL, Chen LX. Integrating solvation shell structure in experimentally driven molecular dynamics using x-ray solution scattering data. J Chem Phys 2020; 152:204115. [PMID: 32486681 DOI: 10.1063/5.0007158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few decades, prediction of macromolecular structures beyond the native conformation has been aided by the development of molecular dynamics (MD) protocols aimed at exploration of the energetic landscape of proteins. Yet, the computed structures do not always agree with experimental observables, calling for further development of the MD strategies to bring the computations and experiments closer together. Here, we report a scalable, efficient MD simulation approach that incorporates an x-ray solution scattering signal as a driving force for the conformational search of stable structural configurations outside of the native basin. We further demonstrate the importance of inclusion of the hydration layer effect for a precise description of the processes involving large changes in the solvent exposed area, such as unfolding. Utilization of the graphics processing unit allows for an efficient all-atom calculation of scattering patterns on-the-fly, even for large biomolecules, resulting in a speed-up of the calculation of the associated driving force. The utility of the methodology is demonstrated on two model protein systems, the structural transition of lysine-, arginine-, ornithine-binding protein and the folding of deca-alanine. We discuss how the present approach will aid in the interpretation of dynamical scattering experiments on protein folding and association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Denis Leshchev
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Irina Kosheleva
- Center for Advanced Radiation Sources, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Kevin L Kohlstedt
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Lin X Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
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14
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Paissoni C, Jussupow A, Camilloni C. Determination of Protein Structural Ensembles by Hybrid-Resolution SAXS Restrained Molecular Dynamics. J Chem Theory Comput 2020; 16:2825-2834. [PMID: 32119546 PMCID: PMC7997378 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.9b01181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
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Small-angle
X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments provide low-resolution
but valuable information about the dynamics of biomolecular systems,
which could be ideally integrated into molecular dynamics (MD) simulations
to accurately determine conformational ensembles of flexible proteins.
The applicability of this strategy is hampered by the high computational
cost required to calculate scattering intensities from three-dimensional
structures. We previously presented a hybrid resolution method that
makes atomistic SAXS-restrained MD simulation feasible by adopting
a coarse-grained approach to efficiently back-calculate scattering
intensities; here, we extend this technique, applying it in the framework
of metainference with the aim to investigate the dynamical behavior
of flexible biomolecules. The efficacy of the method is assessed on
the K63-diubiquitin, showing that the inclusion of SAXS restraints
is effective in generating a reliable conformational ensemble, improving
the agreement with independent experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Paissoni
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Alexander Jussupow
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Garching 85747, Germany
| | - Carlo Camilloni
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
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15
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Honorato RV, Roel-Touris J, Bonvin AMJJ. MARTINI-Based Protein-DNA Coarse-Grained HADDOCKing. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:102. [PMID: 31632986 PMCID: PMC6779769 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Modeling biomolecular assemblies is an important field in computational structural biology. The inherent complexity of their energy landscape and the computational cost associated with modeling large and complex assemblies are major drawbacks for integrative modeling approaches. The so-called coarse-graining approaches, which reduce the degrees of freedom of the system by grouping several atoms into larger “pseudo-atoms,” have been shown to alleviate some of those limitations, facilitating the identification of the global energy minima assumed to correspond to the native state of the complex, while making the calculations more efficient. Here, we describe and assess the implementation of the MARTINI force field for DNA into HADDOCK, our integrative modeling platform. We combine it with our previous implementation for protein-protein coarse-grained docking, enabling coarse-grained modeling of protein-nucleic acid complexes. The system is modeled using MARTINI topologies and interaction parameters during the rigid body docking and semi-flexible refinement stages of HADDOCK, and the resulting models are then converted back to atomistic resolution by an atom-to-bead distance restraints-guided protocol. We first demonstrate the performance of this protocol using 44 complexes from the protein-DNA docking benchmark, which shows an overall ~6-fold speed increase and maintains similar accuracy as compared to standard atomistic calculations. As a proof of concept, we then model the interaction between the PRC1 and the nucleosome (a former CAPRI target in round 31), using the same information available at the time the target was offered, and compare all-atom and coarse-grained models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo V Honorato
- Faculty of Science-Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Jorge Roel-Touris
- Faculty of Science-Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Alexandre M J J Bonvin
- Faculty of Science-Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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