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Kameda T, Awazu A, Togashi Y. Molecular dynamics analysis of biomolecular systems including nucleic acids. Biophys Physicobiol 2022; 19:e190027. [DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v19.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Akinori Awazu
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University
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Kameda T, Suzuki MM, Awazu A, Togashi Y. Structural dynamics of DNA depending on methylation pattern. Phys Rev E 2021; 103:012404. [PMID: 33601517 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.103.012404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is associated with a number of biological phenomena, and plays crucial roles in epigenetic regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. It is also suggested that DNA methylation alters the mechanical properties of DNA molecules, which is likely to affect epigenetic regulation. However, it has not been systematically investigated how methylation changes the structural and dynamic features of DNA. In this research, to elucidate the effects of methylation on DNA mechanics, a fully atomic molecular dynamics simulation of double-stranded DNA with several methylation patterns was performed. Through the analysis of the relative positioning of the nucleotides (base-step variables), characteristic changes in terms of local flexibility were observed, which further affected the overall DNA geometry and stiffness. These findings may serve as a basis for a discussion on methylation-dependent DNA dynamics in physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeru Kameda
- Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Miho M Suzuki
- Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Akinori Awazu
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
- Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics (RcMcD), Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuichi Togashi
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
- Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics (RcMcD), Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
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Togashi Y, Flechsig H. Coarse-Grained Protein Dynamics Studies Using Elastic Network Models. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123899. [PMID: 30563146 PMCID: PMC6320916 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Elastic networks have been used as simple models of proteins to study their slow structural dynamics. They consist of point-like particles connected by linear Hookean springs and hence are convenient for linear normal mode analysis around a given reference structure. Furthermore, dynamic simulations using these models can provide new insights. As the computational cost associated with these models is considerably lower compared to that of all-atom models, they are also convenient for comparative studies between multiple protein structures. In this review, we introduce examples of coarse-grained molecular dynamics studies using elastic network models and their derivatives, focusing on the nonlinear phenomena, and discuss their applicability to large-scale macromolecular assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Togashi
- Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics (RcMcD), Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan.
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), 6-2-3 Furuedai, Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan.
- Cybermedia Center, Osaka University, 5-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan.
| | - Holger Flechsig
- Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan.
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Tahir M, Hayat M, Khan SA. iNuc-ext-PseTNC: an efficient ensemble model for identification of nucleosome positioning by extending the concept of Chou's PseAAC to pseudo-tri-nucleotide composition. Mol Genet Genomics 2018; 294:199-210. [PMID: 30291426 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-018-1498-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Nucleosome is a central element of eukaryotic chromatin, which composes of histone proteins and DNA molecules. It performs vital roles in many eukaryotic intra-nuclear processes, for instance, chromatin structure and transcriptional regulation formation. Identification of nucleosome positioning via wet lab is difficult; so, the attention is diverted towards the accurate intelligent automated prediction. In this regard, a novel intelligent automated model "iNuc-ext-PseTNC" is developed to identify the nucleosome positioning in genomes accurately. In this predictor, the sequences of DNA are mathematically represented by two different discrete feature extraction techniques, namely pseudo-tri-nucleotide composition (PseTNC) and pseudo-di-nucleotide composition. Several contemporary machine learning algorithms were examined. Further, the predictions of individual classifiers were integrated through an evolutionary genetic algorithm. The success rates of the ensemble model are higher than individual classifiers. After analyzing the prediction results, it is noticed that iNuc-ext-PseTNC model has achieved better performance in combination with PseTNC feature space, which are 94.3%, 93.14%, and 88.60% of accuracies using six-fold cross-validation test for the three benchmark datasets S1, S2, and S3, respectively. The achieved outcomes exposed that the results of iNuc-ext-PseTNC model are prominent compared to the existing methods so far notifiable in the literature. It is ascertained that the proposed model might be more fruitful and a practical tool for rudimentary academia and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tahir
- Department of Computer Science, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, KP, Pakistan
| | - Maqsood Hayat
- Department of Computer Science, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, KP, Pakistan.
| | - Sher Afzal Khan
- Department of Computer Science, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, KP, Pakistan
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Fabrication and Characterization of Finite-Size DNA 2D Ring and 3D Buckyball Structures. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19071895. [PMID: 29954152 PMCID: PMC6073519 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to incorporate functionalization into synthesized DNA nanostructures, enhance their production yield, and utilize them in various applications, it is necessary to study their physical stabilities and dynamic characteristics. Although simulation-based analysis used for DNA nanostructures provides important clues to explain their self-assembly mechanism, structural function, and intrinsic dynamic characteristics, few studies have focused on the simulation of DNA supramolecular structures due to the structural complexity and high computational cost. Here, we demonstrated the feasibility of using normal mode analysis for relatively complex DNA structures with larger molecular weights, i.e., finite-size DNA 2D rings and 3D buckyball structures. The normal mode analysis was carried out using the mass-weighted chemical elastic network model (MWCENM) and the symmetry-constrained elastic network model (SCENM), both of which are precise and efficient modeling methodologies. MWCENM considers both the weight of the nucleotides and the chemical bonds between atoms, and SCENM can obtain mode shapes of a whole structure by using only a repeated unit and its connectivity with neighboring units. Our results show the intrinsic vibrational features of DNA ring structures, which experience inner/outer circle and bridge motions, as well as DNA buckyball structures having overall breathing and local breathing motions. These could be used as the fundamental basis for designing and constructing more complicated DNA nanostructures.
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Kameda T, Isami S, Togashi Y, Nishimori H, Sakamoto N, Awazu A. The 1-Particle-per-k-Nucleotides (1PkN) Elastic Network Model of DNA Dynamics with Sequence-Dependent Geometry. Front Physiol 2017; 8:103. [PMID: 28382002 PMCID: PMC5361685 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coarse-grained models of DNA have made important contributions to the determination of the physical properties of genomic DNA, working as a molecular machine for gene regulation. In this study, to analyze the global dynamics of long DNA sequences with consideration of sequence-dependent geometry, we propose elastic network models of DNA where each particle represents k nucleotides (1-particle-per-k-nucleotides, 1PkN). The models were adjusted according to profiles of the anisotropic fluctuations obtained from our previous 1-particle-per-1-nucleotide (1P1N) model, which was proven to reproduce such profiles of all-atom models. We confirmed that the 1P3N and 1P4N models are suitable for the analysis of detailed dynamics such as local twisting motion. The models are intended for the analysis of large structures, e.g., 10-nm fibers in the nucleus, and nucleoids of mitochondrial or phage DNA at low computational costs. As an example, we surveyed the physical characteristics of the whole mitochondrial human and Plasmodium falciparum genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeru Kameda
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Hiroshima University Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shuhei Isami
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Hiroshima University Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuichi Togashi
- Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics, Hiroshima University Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiraku Nishimori
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshima, Japan; Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshima, Japan
| | - Naoaki Sakamoto
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshima, Japan; Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshima, Japan
| | - Akinori Awazu
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshima, Japan; Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshima, Japan
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Intrinsic Dynamics Analysis of a DNA Octahedron by Elastic Network Model. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22010145. [PMID: 28275219 PMCID: PMC6155889 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22010145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA is a fundamental component of living systems where it plays a crucial role at both functional and structural level. The programmable properties of DNA make it an interesting building block for the construction of nanostructures. However, molecular mechanisms for the arrangement of these well-defined DNA assemblies are not fully understood. In this paper, the intrinsic dynamics of a DNA octahedron has been investigated by using two types of Elastic Network Models (ENMs). The application of ENMs to DNA nanocages include the analysis of the intrinsic flexibilities of DNA double-helices and hinge sites through the calculation of the square fluctuations, as well as the intrinsic collective dynamics in terms of cross-collective map calculation coupled with global motions analysis. The dynamics profiles derived from ENMs have then been evaluated and compared with previous classical molecular dynamics simulation trajectories. The results presented here revealed that ENMs can provide useful insights into the intrinsic dynamics of large DNA nanocages and represent a useful tool in the field of structural DNA nanotechnology.
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Awazu A. Prediction of nucleosome positioning by the incorporation of frequencies and distributions of three different nucleotide segment lengths into a general pseudo k-tuple nucleotide composition. Bioinformatics 2016; 33:42-48. [PMID: 27563027 PMCID: PMC5860184 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btw562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Motivation Nucleosome positioning plays important roles in many eukaryotic intranuclear processes, such as transcriptional regulation and chromatin structure formation. The investigations of nucleosome positioning rules provide a deeper understanding of these intracellular processes. Results Nucleosome positioning prediction was performed using a model consisting of three types of variables characterizing a DNA sequence—the number of five-nucleotide sequences, the number of three-nucleotide combinations in one period of a helix, and mono- and di-nucleotide distributions in DNA fragments. Using recently proposed stringent benchmark datasets with low biases for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Homo sapiens, Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, the present model was shown to have a better prediction performance than the recently proposed predictors. This model was able to display the common and organism-dependent factors that affect nucleosome forming and inhibiting sequences as well. Therefore, the predictors developed here can accurately predict nucleosome positioning and help determine the key factors influencing this process. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akinori Awazu
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences.,Research Center for Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics, Hiroshima University, Kagami-yama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
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