Using recently-developed molecular dynamics protocols to reproduce β-strand structures of polypeptides

BIOL 68

Timothy H. Click, tclick@chemdept.chem.ou.edu and Ralph A. Wheeler, rawheeler@chemdept.chem.ou.edu. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, 620 Parrington Oval, Rm. 208, Norman, OK 73019
β-sheets are a common secondary structural element observed in polypeptides and proteins. Because of force field bias towards α-helices, β-sheets were challenging to simulate until recently. We propose that two recent molecular dynamics protocols developed within our group can help to determine low energy conformations based entirely upon primary sequence. We search for conformations near absolute zero temperature, which gives us low potential energy conformations, and also near in vivo temperatures, based upon our findings from the low potential energy conformations. Two structures were selected for study: tryptophan zipper 2 (trpzip2) and residues 41-56 of the B1 domain of protein G (peptide G). By using both protocols in conjunction, we are able to obtain conformations that are < 2.0 Å backbone RMSD in agreement with experimental structures.
 

Protein Structure and Folding
4:30 PM-6:30 PM, Sunday, 10 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Poster

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, 11 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Sci-Mix

Division of Biological Chemistry

The 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006