The functions and activities of proteins are closely related to their structures and dynamics,and their interactions with ligands.Knowledge of the mechanistic events of proteins’conformational transitions and interactions with ligands is crucially important to understand the functions and biological activities of proteins and thus to the design of novel inhibitors of the targeted receptor.In this review article,taking two important systems as examples,i.e.,human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease(HIV-1 PR)and adenylate kinase(AdK),and focusing on the molecular dynamics simulations of the conformational transitions of protein and the protein-ligand association/dissociation,we explain how the conformational transitions of proteins influence the interactions with their ligands,and how the ligands impact the function and dynamics of proteins.These results of structural dynamics of HIV-1 PR and AdK and their interactions with ligands can help to understand the principle of conformational transitions of proteins,or the interactions of ligands to their biological targets,and thus provide meaningful message in chemistry and biology of drug design and discovery.
The stiffness and strength of extracellular （EC） region of cadherin are proposed to be two important mechanical properties both for cadherin as a mechanotransductor and for the formation of cell-cell adhesion. In this study, we quantitatively characterized the stiffness and strength of EC structure when it binds with different types of ions by molecular dynamics simulations. Resuits show that EC structure exhibits a rod-like shape with high stiffness and strength when it binds with the bivalent ions of calcium or magnesium. However, it switches to a soft and collapsed conformation when it binds with the monova- lent ions of sodium or potassium. This study sheds light on the important role of the bivalent ions of calcium in the physiological function of EC.
Transmembrane water pores are crucial for substance transport through cell membranes via membrane fusion, such as in neural communication. However, the molecular mechanism of water pore formation is not clear. In this study, we apply all-atom molecular dynamics and bias-exchange metadynamics simulations to study the process of water pore formation under an electric field. We show that water molecules can enter a membrane under an electric field and form a water pore of a few nanometers in diameter. These water molecules disturb the interactions between lipid head groups and the ordered arrangement of lipids. Following the movement of water molecules, the lipid head groups are rotated and driven into the hydrophobic region of the membrane. The reorientated lipid head groups inside the membrane form a hydrophilic surface of the water pore. This study reveals the atomic details of how an electric field influences the movement of water molecules and lipid head groups, resulting in water pore formation.
