Water network dynamics at the critical moment of a peptide's beta-turn formation: a molecular dynamics study |
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Authors: | Karvounis George Nerukh Dmitry Glen Robert C |
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Institution: | Unilever Centre for Molecular Informatics, Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom. |
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Abstract: | All-atom molecular dynamics simulations for a single molecule of Leu-Enkephalin in aqueous solution have been used to study the role of the water network during the formation of beta-turns. We give a detailed account of the intramolecular hydrogen bonding, the water-peptide hydrogen bonding, and the orientation and residence times of water molecules focusing on the short critical periods of transition to the stable beta-turns. These studies suggest that, when intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the first and fourth residue of the beta-turn is not present, the disruption of the water network and the establishment of water bridges constitute decisive factors in the formation and stability of the beta-turn. Finally, we provide possible explanations and mechanisms for the formations of different kinds of beta-turns. |
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