SDS胶束溶液中Exendin-4活性类似物的结构分析

Exendin-4（EX-4）是一种治疗II型糖尿病的潜在药物。研究发现用β-Asp和Gln同时替换EX-4中的Glu3和Tyr13得到的EX-4类似物比EX-4有更好的降糖效果和抗水解的稳定性。本文用核磁共振方法研究了SDS胶束溶液中EX-4和这种活性类似物的三维空间结构。结果表明在SDS胶束溶液中EX-4活性类似物与EX-4原始肽的结构都由具有α螺旋卷曲构象的中间区域和灵活的N端区域及形成Trp-cage结构的C端区域构成,但与原始肽结构不同的是类似物的螺旋区域向N端扩展了3个残基,螺旋结构向N端的延长可能改善了底物与受体的亲和力,提高了生物活性。     

β发卡多肽Trpzip4折叠的副本交换分子动力学模拟

采用副本交换分子动力学对β发卡Trpzip4重折叠进行研究,结果表明,构象空间存在较大能垒时,副本交换分子动力学(REMD)表现出比分子动力学(MD)更优的抽样效率.288 K下,Trpzip4势能、骨架均方根偏差、溶剂可及表面积(SASA)在REMD中呈逐渐降低趋势.采样得到两种特定形态的低势能构象:β发卡和螺旋-卷曲.β发卡中,第3组氢键Asp46容易与Thr49形成氢键;转角Thr49的羟基(OH)倾向于与Asp46的羧基(COO-)或主链上的C=O形成氢键,强化了Asp46与Thr49的相互作用,导致转角形成折回弯度;与Thr49相比,Thr51的羟基倾向与水分子作用,甲基朝内,因此与Asp46的侧链作用微小.螺旋-卷曲中,吲哚环-甲基为主要疏水形式.Trpzip4在折叠成β发卡过程中,转角氢键影响整个β发卡构象的形成.转角氢键具有距离优势和强侧链相互作用,最先形成.     

固有无序超嗜热菌FlgM蛋白在两种不同温度下的构象变化特征

基于分子动力学模拟方法比较了超嗜热菌FlgM 蛋白在常温(293 K)和生理温度(358 K)下的结构特征.基于GROMACS软件包, 采用OPLS-AA分子力场和TIP3P水模型, 对超嗜热菌FlgM 蛋白在293 和358 K进行了2组独立的长时间分子动力学模拟, 每组体系模拟时间为1500 ns. 主要分析了两种温度下超嗜热菌FlgM蛋白的二级结构特征、整体构象变化及半无序化区域和结构化区域的构象特征. 研究结果表明: 在常温下, N端具有一定程度的螺旋成分, 但在生理温度下, 超嗜热菌FlgM 蛋白的结构变得松散, 螺旋结构减少, 构象稳定性减弱, H1 螺旋散开, FlgM 蛋白构象灵活性增强, 不稳定程度增加. 这些不同温度的结构变化说明: 半无序化区域(N端)在非结合状态下有一定的螺旋结构, 但该段螺旋的稳定性随温度升高而降低. 超嗜热菌FlgM蛋白会通过增加结构的无序程度使结构更加灵活, 以适应高温, 从而使该类固有无序蛋白更好地行使其功能, 如提高同其他成分的结合速率等.     

Loop环对分子内三螺旋DNA稳定性的影响

用分子力学方法研究了 4个分子内三螺旋DNA ( 5′ d(TC) 6 d(T) m d(CT) 6 d(C) n d(AG) 6,m ,n分别为 4,3)的稳定性 ,并与相应的分子间三螺旋d(TC) 6 d(AG) 6·d(CT) 6进行了比较 .结果表明 :Loop环对分子内三螺旋的稳定性影响较小 ,但是Loop上碱基和糖环构象的变化依赖于Loop环的长度 .Loop使分子内三螺旋DNA嘌呤链的碱基堆积作用降低 ,链长增加 .三螺旋DNA的糖环构象大部分是S型 ,同时也存在N型以及其他构象 .     

人类谷胱甘肽硫转移酶家族等位基因蛋白B与抑制剂作用模型的理论研究

采用分子动力学模拟方法系统地研究了谷胱甘肽硫转移酶家族(Glutathione S-transferases,GSTs)的等位基因蛋白B(GSTP1*B)与抑制剂利尿酸(EA)以及EA的谷胱甘肽(GSH)共轭物EAG(I),EAG(O)的具体结合方式.抑制剂及其谷胱甘肽共轭物与蛋白的相互作用能计算结果及分子动力学轨迹的统计分析结果表明,GSTP1*B与EA的谷胱甘肽共轭物的结合能力优于其与EA的结合能力,Phe8,Arg13,Trp38和Tyr108是作用过程中的关键残基,对稳定抑制剂及其谷胱甘肽共轭物在GSTP1*B的G和H位点的构象具有重要的作用.通过对构象的统计分析发现,残基Phe8和Tyr108与GSTP1*B酶对抑制剂的选择性密切相关.     

几种新型树脂对猪血粉水解液中混合氨基酸分离性能研究

本文就AAS-1.AAS-2.和D371等新型树脂对猪血粉水解液的脱色及氨基酸的分离性能进行了研究;并将这些树脂同工业品树脂配合使用,分离出了Arg、Lys、His、Phe、Tyr、Glu、Asp和部分其它中性氨基酸。     

神经红蛋白突变体Tyr44Phe的制备、表征和稳定性研究

构建了突变体蛋白Tyr44Phe的基因, 进行了蛋白的表达、分离纯化、谱学表征和稳定性研究. 由电喷雾质谱所得突变体蛋白的分子量与理论值一致; UV-Vis吸收光谱、荧光光谱和圆二色光谱表明, Tyr44Phe的点突变虽没有改变血红素的六配位结构, 但对血红素的构象有所影响. 突变体蛋白的热、酸稳定性研究表明, 定点突变降低了血红素与蛋白肽链之间的结合力, 导致血红素易从疏水腔中脱出, 说明Tyr44对蛋白的结构稳定性起一定的作用.     

以二维核磁共振解析S-磺酸型胰岛素B链残基质子自旋体系

胰岛素~1H谱的谱峰识别,是以核磁共振方法研究其溶液构象的基础。由于胰岛素复杂的聚合行为,使谱峰变宽,难以作谱峰识别。S-磺酸型胰岛素A及B链有分辨良好的氢谱。本文报道以500MHz二维相关谱(绝对值型)、400MHz双量子滤波相关谱、接力相干转移相关谱、核Overhauser二维谱,对S-磺酸型B链在重水中~1H谱的残基质子自旋体系的解析;报道了B_3Asn,B_9 Ser,B_(16)Tyr,B_(22)Arg,B_(26)Tyr,B_(27)Thr,B_(28)Pro及B_(29)Lys谱峰的专一识别。由碱侧pH滴定,测得B_(16)Tyr,B_(26)Tyr的pK值分别为10.65及10.60。     

基于分子内三中心氢键的超分子组装体系及其应用

分子内三中心氢键被视为是一种高效且可靠地控制分子构象的手段,可以诱导线性分子形成特定构象(折叠、螺旋、扩展及"之"字形等).根据氢键结合原子的种类,系统地综述了基于O…H…O型、S…H…X (X=N, O)型、N…H…X(X=N,O)型、F…H…X(X=F,O,N)型分子内三中心氢键的超分子组装体系的研究进展,重点介绍了大环化合物、折叠体与含孔螺旋化合物、分子拉链等超分子组装体的合成以及它们在促进有机反应、分子识别、跨膜通道、分子机器、软物质材料等领域的应用.希望为此类超分子组装体的合成及应用提供有益参考.     

我国产绿臭蛙的皮肤中一个新的速激肽——绿臭蛙激肽的分离和结构

本文利用Sep—Pak C_(13)和HPLC,从我国产绿臭蛙的皮肤甲醇提取物中分离到一个新的14肽——绿臭蛙激肽。此肽结构经分析定为:Asp—Asp—Ala—Ser—Asp—Arg—Ala—Lys—Lys—Phe—Tyr—Gly—Leu—Met—NH_2,且为化学合成所证明。此肽是两栖动物速激肽中最长的一个,其N-端氨基酸与速激肽类其它肽的相应部分有很大区别。此外,简要讨论了纯化过程中绿臭蛙激呔亚砜的形成及其色谱峰的分裂。     

Structural coupling of an arginine side chain with the oxygen-evolving Mn4Ca cluster in photosystem II as revealed by isotope-edited Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Photosynthetic oxygen evolution by plants, algae, and cyanobacteria is performed at the Mn(4)Ca cluster in photosystem II (PSII) by light-driven water oxidation. It has been proposed that CP43-Arg357, which is located in the vicinity of the Mn(4)Ca cluster, plays a key role in the O(2) evolution mechanism; however, direct evidence for its involvement in the reaction has not yet been obtained. In this study, we have for the first time detected the structural coupling of CP43-Arg357 with the Mn(4)Ca cluster by means of isotope-edited Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Light-induced FTIR difference spectra upon the S(1)→S(2) transition (S(2)/S(1) difference spectra) of the Mn(4)Ca cluster were measured using isolated PSII core complexes from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells, where the Arg side chains were labeled with either [η(1,2)-(15)N(2)]Arg or [ζ-(13)C]Arg. Bands due to Arg side chain vibrations, which were extracted by taking a double difference between the S(2)/S(1) spectra of isotope-labeled and unlabeled samples, were found at 1700-1600 and 1700-1550 cm(-1) for [η(1,2)-(15)N(2)]Arg- and [ζ-(13)C]Arg-labeled PSII, respectively. These frequency regions are in good agreement with those of the CN/NH(2) vibrations of a guanidinium group in difference spectra between isotope-labeled and unlabeled Arg in aqueous solutions. The detected Arg bands in the S(2)/S(1) difference spectra were attributed to CP43-Arg357, which is the only Arg residue located near the Mn(4)Ca cluster. The presence of relatively high frequency bands arising from unlabeled Arg suggested that the guanidinium N(η)H(2) is engaged in strong hydrogen bonding. These results indicate that CP43-Arg357 interacts with the Mn(4)Ca cluster probably through direct hydrogen bonding to a first coordination shell ligand of a redox-active Mn ion. This structural coupling of CP43-Arg357 may play a crucial role in the water oxidation reactions.     

Effect of Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ on horseradish peroxidase: activation,inhibition, and denaturation studies

The effects of transition metal ions (M2+) such as Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ on the functional and structural stabilities of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were investigated with respect to reversible chemical denaturation, Michaelis-Menten kinetics, chemical modification and time-dependent catalytic activity. Conformational Gibbs free energy (deltaGo(H2O)) as a structural stability criterion and transition concentrations of metal ions ([M2+] 1/2) were estimated using a two-state chemical denaturation model. Activation and inhibitory concentration ranges for each metal ion were specified by the steady-state enzyme kinetics. Results of a pH-profile method confirmed by chemical modification indicate that a histidine residue interacts in the activation concentration range, whereas carboxylic residues (Asp and Glu) contribute to interaction in the inhibitory concentration range. Incubation of the enzyme with the metal ion at activation concentration leads to long-term functional stability of peroxidase. Thus, such metal ions as potent effectors induced the enhancement of conformational and functional stabilities of horseradish peroxidase.     

Exploring nucleoside hydrolase catalysis in silico: molecular dynamics study of enzyme-bound substrate and transition state

The mechanism of action of inosine-uridine nucleoside hydrolase has been investigated by long-term molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in TIP3P water using stochastic boundary conditions. Five MD studies have been performed with enzyme substrate complex (E.S), enzyme substrate complex with protonated His241 (EH.S), enzyme transition state complex (E.TS), enzyme transition state complex with protonated His241 (EH.TS), and His241Ala transition state complex E(H241A).TS. Special attention has been given to the role of His241, which has been considered as the general acid catalyst to assist departure of the leaving nucleobase on the basis of its location in the active site in the X-ray crystal structure (). Yet on the basis of the location in the active site, Tyr229 is closer to the aniline ring of pAPIR as compared to His241. On initiation of MD simulations, His241 does not approach the nucleobase in the structures of EH.S, E.S, EH.TS, and E.TS. In the solvated enzyme, Tyr229, which is a member of the hydrogen bonding network inosine O2'.Asp14.His241.Tyr229.inosine N7, serves as a proton source to the leaving nucleobase. The loss of significant activity of His241Ala mutant is shown to be related to the disruption of the above hydrogen bonded network and the distancing of Tyr229 from inosine N7. The structures of the enzyme complexes with substrate or TS are not visibly altered on protonation of His241, a most unusual outcome. The bell-shaped pH dependence upon pK(app)'s of 7.1 and 9.1 may be attributed to the necessity of the dissociation of Asp10 or Asp15 and the acid form of Tyr229, respectively. In TS, the residue Ile81 migrated closer, whereas Arg233 moved away from the nucleobase. The probability of ribooxocarbenium ion stabilization by Asn168 and Asp14 is discussed. The Asp14-CO(2)(-) is hydrogen bonded to the ribose 2'-OH for 96% of the MD simulation time. Nucleophilic addition of water138 to ribooxocarbenium ion is suggested to be assisted by the proton shuttle from water138 --> Asp10 --> Asp15 --> water pool. An anticorrelation motion between Tyr229-OH and Asn168-OD1 in EH.S and E.S is observed. The relationship of this anticorrelated motion to mechanism, if any, deserves further exploration, perhaps the formation of a near attack conformation.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic system for the separation of dynorphin A (1-17) fragments and its application in enzymolysis studies with rat nerve terminal membranes

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method capable of separating a large number of C- and N-terminal degradation fragments of dynorphin A (1-17) (dyn 1-17) in 1 h has been developed. The system has been applied to study the metabolism profiles of various dyn 1-17-derived peptides following in vitro incubation with rat striatum and spinal cord nerve terminal membranes. In addition to the removal of the N-terminal amino acid Tyr, major sites of cleavage between the following amino acids could be established: Leu5-Arg6 in dyn 1-7 (formation of dyn 1-5); Arg6-Arg7 and Leu5-Arg6 in dyn 1-8 (formation of dyn 1-6 and dyn 1-5, respectively); Arg7-Ile8 in dyn 1-9 (formation of dyn 1-7) and Arg9-Pro10 in dyn 1-10 (formation of dyn 1-9). Studies with inhibitors of the enzymes involved show that dyn 1-5 is formed directly from dyn 1-8 via an endopeptidase insensitive to the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor MK 422 acting on the scissile Leu5-Arg6 bond in dyn 1-8. The method circumvents the use of [3H]Tyr-labelled dynorphins, which have the inherent drawback that fragments lacking the N-terminal Tyr cannot be detected. Owing to the high resolution, also for the larger dynorphins dyn 1-14, dyn 1-15 and dyn 1-16, the chromatographic system should prove especially useful in the elucidation of the enzymolysis pattern of dyn 1-17. Furthermore, the method offers a way to evaluate simultaneously the selectivity of new enzyme inhibitors for several cleavage sites in the same assay.     

Conformational transition pathway of polymerase beta/DNA upon binding correct incoming substrate

The closing conformational transition of wild-type polymerase beta bound to DNA template/primer before the chemical step (nucleotidyl transfer reaction) is simulated using the stochastic difference equation (in length version, "SDEL") algorithm that approximates long-time dynamics. The order of the events and the intermediate states during pol beta's closing pathway are identified and compared to a separate study of pol beta using transition path sampling (TPS) (Radhakrishnan, R.; Schlick, T. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2004, 101, 5970-5975). Results highlight the cooperative and subtle conformational changes in the pol beta active site upon binding the correct substrate that may help explain DNA replication and repair fidelity. These changes involve key residues that differentiate the open from the closed conformation (Asp192, Arg258, Phe272), as well as residues contacting the DNA template/primer strand near the active site (Tyr271, Arg283, Thr292, Tyr296) and residues contacting the beta and gamma phosphates of the incoming nucleotide (Ser180, Arg183, Gly189). This study compliments experimental observations by providing detailed atomistic views of the intermediates along the polymerase closing pathway and by suggesting additional key residues that regulate events prior to or during the chemical reaction. We also show general agreement between two sampling methods (the stochastic difference equation and transition path sampling) and identify methodological challenges involved in the former method relevant to large-scale biomolecular applications. Specifically, SDEL is very quick relative to TPS for obtaining an approximate path of medium resolution and providing qualitative information on the sequence of events; however, associated free energies are likely very costly to obtain because this will require both successful further refinement of the path segments close to the bottlenecks and large computational time.     

A Study of peptide-peptide interaction by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry was used to study peptide-peptide interaction. The interaction was seen when 6-aza-2-thiothymine was used as a matrix (pH 5.4), but was disrupted with a more acidic matrix, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (pH 2.0). In the present study, we show that dynorphin, an opioid peptide, and five of its fragments that contain two adjacent basic residues (Arg6-Arg7), all interact noncovalently with peptides that contain two to five adjacent acidic residues (Asp or Glu). Two other nonrelated peptides containing two (Arg6-Arg7) or three (Arg1-Lys2-Arg3) adjacent basic amino acid residues were studied and exhibited the same behavior. However, peptides containing adjacent Lys or His did not form noncovalent complexes with acidic peptides. The noncovalent bonding was sufficiently stable that digestion with trypsin only cleaved Arg and Lys residues that were not involved in hydrogen bonding with the acidic residues. In an equimolar mixture of dynorphin, dynorphin fragments (containing the motif RR), and an acidic peptide (minigastrin), the acidic peptide preferentially complexed with dynorphin. If the concentration of minigastrin was increased 10 fold, noncovalent interaction was seen with dynorphin and all its fragments containing the motif RR. In the absence of dynorphin, minigastrin formed noncovalent complexes with all dynorphin fragments. These findings suggest that conformation, equilibrium, and concentration do play a role in the occurrence of peptide-peptide interaction. Observations from this study include: (1) ionic bonds were not disrupted by enzymatic digests, (2) conformation and concentration influenced complex formation, and (3) the complex did not form with fragments of dynorphin or unrelated peptides that did not contain the motifs RR or RKR, nor with a fragment of dynorphin where Arg7 was mutated to a phenylalanine residue. These findings strongly suggest that peptide-peptide interaction does occur, and can be studied by MALDI if near physiologic pH is maintained.     

Identifying key electrostatic interactions in Rhizomucor miehei lipase: the influence of solvent dielectric

The conformational change associated with the interfacial activation of Rhizomucor miehei lipase involves the displacement of an α-helical lid (residues 82–96) away from the active site on moving from water (high dielectric) to lipid (low dielectric). The presence of two media of very different dielectric properties suggests that electrostatic interactions play an important role in this process. We have used linearized Poisson–Boltzmann calculations to examine the key electrostatic interactions which contribute to lid stability in the closed and open states. It is the two charged residues of the lid, Arg86 and Asp91, that form the strongest electrostatic interactions with the rest of the protein. We identify key residues whose interactions with the lid are significantly perturbed by the change in the dielectric of the medium: Asp61, Arg80, Lys109, Glu117 and the active-site residues Asp203 and Asp256, all of which lie within approximately 20 ? of the lid. We suggest that these residues are good candidates for site-specific mutation studies, which could help elucidate their role in the lipase activation mechanism. Received: 27 May 1998 / Accepted: 17 September 1998 / Published online: 7 December 1998     

The Catalytic Mechanism of Fluoroacetate Dehalogenase: A Computational Exploration of Biological Dehalogenation

The biological dehalogenation of fluoroacetate carried out by fluoroacetate dehalogenase is discussed by using quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations for a whole‐enzyme model of 10 800 atoms. Substrate fluoroacetate is anchored by a hydrogen‐bonding network with water molecules and the surrounding amino acid residues of Arg105, Arg108, His149, Trp150, and Tyr212 in the active site in a similar way to haloalkane dehalogenase. Asp104 is likely to act as a nucleophile to attack the α‐carbon of fluoroacetate, resulting in the formation of an ester intermediate, which is subsequently hydrolyzed by the nucleophilic attack of a water molecule to the carbonyl carbon atom. The cleavage of the strong C? F bond is greatly facilitated by the hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the leaving fluorine atom and the three amino acid residues of His149, Trp150, and Tyr212. The hydrolysis of the ester intermediate is initiated by a proton transfer from the water molecule to His271 and by the simultaneous nucleophilic attack of the water molecule. The transition state and produced tetrahedral intermediate are stabilized by Asp128 and the oxyanion hole composed of Phe34 and Arg105.     

Theoretical Computer‐Aided Mutagenic Study on the Triple Green Fluorescent Protein Mutant S65T/H148D/Y145F

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) mutant S65T/H148D has been proposed to host a photocycle that involves an excited‐state proton transfer between the chromophore (Cro) and the Asp148 residue and takes place in less than 50 fs without a measurable kinetic isotope effect. It has been suggested that the interaction between the unsuspected Tyr145 residue and the chromophore is needed for the ultrafast sub‐50 fs rise in fluorescence. To verify this, we have performed a computer‐aided mutagenic study to introduce the additional mutation Y145F, which eliminates this interaction. By means of QM/MM molecular dynamics simulations and time‐dependent density functional theory studies, we have assessed the importance of the Cro–Tyr145 interaction and the solvation of Asp148 and shown that in the triple mutant S65T/H148D/Y145F a significant loss in the ultrafast rise of the Stokes‐shifted fluorescence should be expected.     

MC1R Gene Polymorphism Affects Skin Color and Phenotypic Features Related to Sun Sensitivity in a Population of French Adult Women

The melanocortin-1 receptor ( MC1R ) gene is known to play a major role in skin and hair pigmentation and to be highly polymorphic in Caucasians. This study was performed to investigate the relationships between MC1R gene polymorphisms and skin color in a large sample of French middle-aged Caucasian women. The codons 60 to 265 and the codon 294 of the MC1R gene were sequenced in 488 women. The skin color was measured on the inner side of the forearm using a spectrophotometric instrument. Fifteen variants were identified: Arg151Cys, Arg160Trp, Arg142His, Asp294His, Ile155Thr, Asp84Glu, Val60Leu, Val92Met, Arg163Gln, Ser83Pro, Thr95Met, Pro256Ser, Val265Ile, Ala166Ala and Gln233Gln. Women carrying Arg151Cys, Asp294His, Arg160Trp and Asp84Glu variants had a significantly higher reflectance in the red region, which indicates a lower level of functional melanin. This association was the most pronounced for women carrying Asp84Glu. In contrast, no significant difference was observed for other variants. Moreover, associations between MC1R polymorphisms and the risks of experiencing sunburn and of having freckles were found independently of skin color. Our findings support the hypothesis that MC1R polymorphisms do not necessarily alter the skin color but should sensitize the skin to UV-induced DNA damage.