Ab initio molecular dynamics of heme in cytochrome c

Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) calculations, based on the Car-Parrinello method, have been carried out for three models of heme c that is present in cytochrome c. Both the reduced (Fe(II)) and oxidized (Fe(III)) forms have been analyzed. The simplest models (1R and 1O, respectively) consist of a unsubstituted porphyrin (with no side chains) and two axially coordinated imidazole and ethylmethylthioether ligands. Density functional theory optimizations of these models confirm the basic electronic features and are the starting point for building more complex derivatives. AIMD simulations were performed after reaching the thermal stability at T = 300 K. The evolution of the Fe-L(ax) bond strengths is examined together with the relative rotations of the imidazole and methionine about the axial vector, which appear rather independent from each other. The next models (2R and 2O) contain side chains at the heme to better simulate the actual active site. It is observed that two adjacent propionate groups induce some important effects. The axial Fe-Sdelta bond is only weakened in 2R but is definitely cleaved in the oxidized species 2O. Also the mobility of the Im ligand seems to be reduced by the formation of a strong hydrogen bond that involves the Im Ndelta1-Hdelta1 bond and one carboxylate group. In 2O the interaction becomes so strong that a proton transfer occurs and the propionic acid is formed. Finally, the models 3 include a free N-methyl-acetamide molecule to mimic a portion of the protein backbone. This influences the orientation of carboxylate groups and limits the amount of their hydrogen bonding with the Im ligand. Residual electrostatic interactions are maintained, which are still able to modulate the dissociation of the methionine from the heme.