Mouse acetylcholinesterase unliganded and in complex with huperzine A: A comparison of molecular dynamics simulations

A 1 ns molecular dynamics simulation of unliganded mouse acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is compared to a previous simulation of mouse AChE complexed with huperzine A (HupA). Several common features are observed. In both simulations, the active site gorge fluctuates in size during the 1 ns trajectory and is completely pinched off several times. Many of the residues in the gorge that formed hydrogen bonds with HupA in the simulation of the complex now form hydrogen bonds with other protein residues and water molecules in the gorge. The opening of a “backdoor” entrance to the active site that was found in the simulation of the complex is also observed in the unliganded simulation. Differences between the two simulations include overall lower structural rms deviations for residues in the gorge in the unliganded simulation, a smaller diameter of the gorge in the absence of HupA, and the disappearance of a side channel that was frequently present in the liganded simulation. The differences between the two simulations can be attributed, in part, to the interaction of AChE with HupA. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 50: 35–43, 1999     

Influence of the acetylcholinesterase active site protonation on omega loop and active site dynamics

Existence of alternative entrances in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) could explain the contrast between the very high AChE catalytic efficiency and the narrow and long access path to the active site revealed by X-ray crystallography. Alternative entrances could facilitate diffusion of the reaction products or at least water and ions from the active site. Previous molecular dynamics simulations identified side door and back door as the most probable alternative entrances. The simulations of non-inhibited AChE suggested that the back door opening events occur only rarely (0.8% of the time in the 10ns trajectory). Here we present a molecular dynamics simulation of non-inhibited AChE, where the back door opening appears much more often (14% of the time in the 12ns trajectory) and where the side door opening was observed quite frequently (78% of trajectory time). We also present molecular dynamics, where the back door does not open at all, or where large conformational changes of the AChE omega loop occur together with alternative passage opening events. All these differences in AChE dynamical behavior are caused by different protonation states of two glutamate residues located on bottom of the active site gorge (Glu202 and G450 in Mus musculus AChE). Our results confirm the results of previous molecular dynamics simulations, expand the view and suggest the probable reasons for the overall conformational behavior of AChE omega loop.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of human butyrylcholinesterase

Herein, we present results from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the human butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzyme in aqueous solution. Two configurations of the unbound form of BuChE differing in the presence or absence of a sodium ion inside the protein gorge were simulated for 10 and 5 ns, respectively. Besides complementing the structural information provided by X-ray data, the MD simulations give insight into the structure of the native BuChE enzyme. For example, it is shown that: the nucleophilic Ser(198) residue and the various binding subsites in the BuChE catalytic cavity are readily accessible from the exterior of the protein; the presence of the sodium ion dynamically explores two different binding sites in the gorge leading to the active site and stabilizes the productive conformation of the Glu(325)/His(438)/Ser(198) catalytic triad; several long-lived water bridges are fully integrated into the architecture of the active site; the positions of the residues at the rim of the gorge region display large deviations with respect to the crystal structure; and two side doors, constituted by residues situated at the tip of the acyl- and Omega-loops, respectively, open wide enough to allow the passage of water molecules. In conclusion, we compare our theoretical results with those from previous work on mouse acetylcholinesterase and discuss their implications for substrate binding and catalysis in BuChE.     

The dynamics of ligand barrier crossing inside the acetylcholinesterase gorge

The dynamics of ligand movement through the constricted region of the acetylcholinesterase gorge is important in understanding how the ligand gains access to and is released from the active site of the enzyme. Molecular dynamics simulations of the simple ligand, tetramethylammonium, crossing this bottleneck region are conducted using umbrella potential sampling and activated flux techniques. The low potential of mean force obtained is consistent with the fast reaction rate of acetylcholinesterase observed experimentally. From the results of the activated dynamics simulations, local conformational fluctuations of the gorge residues and larger scale collective motions of the protein are found to correlate highly with the ligand crossing.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of Axillaridine–A: A potent natural cholinesterase inhibitor

Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out for human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) and its complex with Axillaridine–A, in order to dynamically explore the active site of the protein and the behaviour of the ligand at the peripheral binding site. Simulation of the enzyme alone showed that the active site of AChE is located at the bottom of a deep and narrow cavity whose surface is lined with rings of aromatic residues while Tyr72 is almost perpendicular to the Trp286, which is responsible for stable π -π interactions. The complexation of AChE with Axillaridine-A, results in the reduction of gorge size due to interaction between the ligand and the active site residues. The gorge size was determined by the distance between the center of mass of Glu81 and Trp286. As far as the geometry of the active site is concerned, the presence of ligand in the active site alters its specific conformation, as revealed by stable hydrogen bondings established between amino acids. With the increasing interaction between ligand and the active amino acids, size of the active site of the complex decreases with respect to time. Axillaridine-A, forms stable π -π interactions with the aromatic ring of Tyr124 that results in inhibition of catalytic activity of the enzyme. This π -π interaction keeps the substrate stable at the edge of the catalytic gorge by inhibiting its catalytic activity. The MD results clearly provide an explanation for the binding pattern of bulky steroidal alkaloids at the active site of AChE.     

Structure and dynamics of the active site gorge of acetylcholinesterase: synergistic use of molecular dynamics simulation and X-ray crystallography.

The active site of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Torpedo californica is located 20 A from the enzyme surface at the bottom of a narrow gorge. To understand the role of this gorge in the function of AChE, we have studied simulations of its molecular dynamics. When simulations were conducted with pure water filling the gorge, residues in the vicinity of the active site deviated quickly and markedly from the crystal structure. Further study of the original crystallographic data suggests that a bis-quaternary decamethonium (DECA) ion, acquired during enzyme purification, residues in the gorge. There is additional electron density within the gorge that may represent small bound cations. When DECA and 2 cations are placed within the gorge, the simulation and the crystal structure are dramatically reconciled. The small cations, more so than DECA, appear to stabilize part of the gorge wall through electrostatic interactions. This part of the gorge wall is relatively thin and may regulate substrate, product, and water movement through the active site.     

Rapid binding of a cationic active site inhibitor to wild type and mutant mouse acetylcholinesterase: Brownian dynamics simulation including diffusion in the active site gorge

It is known that anionic surface residues play a role in the long-range electrostatic attraction between acetylcholinesterase and cationic ligands. In our current investigation, we show that anionic residues also play an important role in the behavior of the ligand within the active site gorge of acetylcholinesterase. Negatively charged residues near the gorge opening not only attract positively charged ligands from solution to the enzyme, but can also restrict the motion of the ligand once it is inside of the gorge. We use Brownian dynamics techniques to calculate the rate constant k_on for wild type and mutant acetylcholinesterase with a positively charged ligand. These calculations are performed by allowing the ligand to diffuse within the active site gorge. This is an extension of previously reported work in which a ligand was allowed to diffuse only to the enzyme surface. By setting the reaction criteria for the ligand closer to the active site, better agreement with experimental data is obtained. Although a number of residues influence the movement of the ligand within the gorge, Asp74 is shown to play a particularly important role in this function. Asp74 traps the ligand within the gorge, and in this way helps to ensure a reaction. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 46: 465–474, 1998     

Multiple substrate binding states and chiral recognition in cofactor-independent glutamate racemase: a molecular dynamics study

Glutamate racemase (MurI) catalyzes the racemization of glutamate; two cysteine residues serve as catalytic acid and base. On the basis of the crystal structure of MurI from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex pyrophilus, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of six different systems to investigate stereochemistry, substrate ligation, and active site protonation state. The catalytic competence of individual systems was assessed by the abundance of reactive conformers. Only systems in which Cys70 is poised to deprotonate d-Glu were found to be catalytically competent (idem Cys178/l-Glu), in agreement with the experimentally observed stereochemistry of Lactobacillus fermentii MurI [Tanner, M. E. et al. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 3998-4006]. Only systems in which the alpha-amino group of l/d-Glu and the imidazole moiety of His are deprotonated are catalytically competent. The active site of MurI displays an unusual flexibility in substrate ligation, and several transitions between stable binding patterns were observed. In catalytically competent binding states, the conserved threonine residues 72, 114, and 117 ligate the alpha-carboxylate of Glu and the Asn71 amides ligate the alpha-amino group of Glu, whereas the delta-carboxylate of Glu is steered by electrostatic repulsion from the Asp7 and Glu147 side chain carboxylates. A network of hydrogen bonds controls the positioning of each thiol/thiolate. In what we term substrate flipping, Glu suddenly rotates into a binding pattern that resembles the post-racemization state of the other enantiomer, i.e., each enantiomer can be bound in two distinct states. Substrate flipping and unfavorable substrate binding successively trigger dissociation of the substrate, accompanied by an opening of the active site channel. We explain how the weak binding of Glu contributes to catalysis and suggest a mechanism by which binding mismatches are propagated into an opening of the active site.     

Crystal structure of human dipeptidyl peptidase IV in complex with a decapeptide reveals details on substrate specificity and tetrahedral intermediate formation

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) is a member of the prolyl oligopeptidase family of serine proteases. DPPIV removes dipeptides from the N terminus of substrates, including many chemokines, neuropeptides, and peptide hormones. Specific inhibition of DPPIV is being investigated in human trials for the treatment of type II diabetes. To understand better the molecular determinants that underlie enzyme catalysis and substrate specificity, we report the crystal structures of DPPIV in the free form and in complex with the first 10 residues of the physiological substrate, Neuropeptide Y (residues 1-10; tNPY). The crystal structure of the free form of the enzyme reveals two potential channels through which substrates could access the active site-a so-called propeller opening, and side opening. The crystal structure of the DPPIV/tNPY complex suggests that bioactive peptides utilize the side opening unique to DPPIV to access the active site. Other structural features in the active site such as the presence of a Glu motif, a well-defined hydrophobic S1 subsite, and minimal long-range interactions explain the substrate recognition and binding properties of DPPIV. Moreover, in the DPPIV/tNPY complex structure, the peptide is not cleaved but trapped in a tetrahedral intermediate that occurs during catalysis. Conformational changes of S630 and H740 between DPPIV in its free form and in complex with tNPY were observed and contribute to the stabilization of the tetrahedral intermediate. Our results facilitate the design of potent, selective small molecule inhibitors of DPPIV that may yield compounds for the development of novel drugs to treat type II diabetes.     

An electrical potential in the access channel of catalases enhances catalysis

Substrate H2O2 must gain access to the deeply buried active site of catalases through channels of 30-50 A in length. The most prominent or main channel approaches the active site perpendicular to the plane of the heme and contains a number of residues that are conserved in all catalases. Changes in Val169, 8 A from the heme in catalase HPII from Escherichia coli, introducing smaller, larger or polar side chains reduces the catalase activity. Changes in Asp181, 12 A from the heme, reduces activity by up to 90% if the negatively charged side chain is removed when Ala, Gln, Ser, Asn, or Ile are the substituted residues. Only the D181E variant retains wild type activity. Determination of the crystal structures of the Glu181, Ala181, Ser181, and Gln181 variants of HPII reveals lower water occupancy in the main channel of the less active variants, particularly at the position forming the sixth ligand to the heme iron and in the hydrophobic, constricted region adjacent to Val169. It is proposed that an electrical potential exists between the negatively charged aspartate (or glutamate) side chain at position 181 and the positively charged heme iron 12 A distant. The potential field acts upon the electrical dipoles of water generating a common orientation that favors hydrogen bond formation and promotes interaction with the heme iron. Substrate hydrogen peroxide would be affected similarly and would enter the active site oriented optimally for interaction with active site residues.     

Backdoor opening mechanism in acetylcholinesterase based on X-ray crystallography and molecular dynamics simulations

The transient opening of a backdoor in the active‐site wall of acetylcholinesterase, one of nature's most rapid enzymes, has been suggested to contribute to the efficient traffic of substrates and products. A crystal structure of Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase in complex with the peripheral‐site inhibitor aflatoxin is now presented, in which a tyrosine at the bottom of the active‐site gorge rotates to create a 3.4‐Å wide exit channel. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the opening can be further enlarged by movement of Trp84. The crystallographic and molecular dynamics simulation data thus point to the interface between Tyr442 and Trp84 as the key element of a backdoor, whose opening permits rapid clearance of catalysis products from the active site. Furthermore, the crystal structure presented provides a novel template for rational design of inhibitors and reactivators, including anti‐Alzheimer drugs and antidotes against organophosphate poisoning.     

Comparison of the monomer structure of the FMN-binding protein from Desulfovibrio vulgaris obtained by NMR and molecular dynamics simulation approaches

Flavin mononucleotide (FMN)-binding proteins (FBPs) play an important role in the electron transport process in bacteria. In this study, the structures of the FBP from Desulfovibrio vulgaris (DvFBP) (Miyazaki F) were compared between those obtained experimentally by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and those derived from molecular dynamics simulations (MDSs). A high-residue root of mean square deviation (RMSD) was observed in residues located at both sides of the wings (Gly22, Glu23, Asp24, Ala59, Arg60, Asp61, Glu62, Gly75, Arg76, Asn77, Gly78 and Pro79), while a low-residue RMSD was found in residues located in a hollow of the structure (Asn12, Glu13, Gly14, Val15, Val16, Asn30, Thr31, Trp32, Asn33, Ser34, Gly69, Ser70, Arg71 and Lys72). Inter-planar angles between the Phe7 and Iso and between the Phe7 and Trp106 residues were remarkably different between the MDS- and NMR-derived DvFBP structures. Distribution of the torsion angles around the covalent bonds in the aliphatic chain of FMN was similar in the MDS- and NMR-derived structures, except for those around the C1′–C2′ and C5′–O5′ bonds. Hydrogen bond formation between IsoO2 and the Gly49 or Gly50 peptide NH was formed in both the NMR- and MDS-derived structures. Overall, the MDS-derived structures were found to be considerably different from the NMR-derived structures, which must be considered when the photoinduced electron transfer in flavoproteins is analysed with MDS-derived structures.     

Substrate Access to Cytochrome P450cam: A Comparison of a Thermal Motion Pathway Analysis with Molecular Dynamics Simulation Data

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are hemoprotein monooxygenases that catalyse the oxidation of a variety of compounds. The mechanism by which camphor, the natural substrate of Cytochrome P450cam (P450cam), accesses the active site is a long-standing puzzle, although putative access channels have been proposed. A thermal motion pathway (TMP) analysis was performed on the crystal structure of P450cam with camphor bound. Hereby, three distinct thermal motion pathway families (TMPFs) were found. Possible substrate access channels obtained by this analysis based on B-factors are compared with exit channels explored by molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) by imposing an artificial expulsion force on the substrate in addition to the standard MD force field. Two out of three TMPFs are supported by results obtained with the random expulsion MDS method. However, the pathway found by the TMP method to have the highest average B-factor could not be observed by MDS. The pathway proposed from crystallographic data, which is a small opening above the active site located near residues 185, 87 and 395 corresponds to the TMPF with the second highest average B-factor.     

The binding sites of inhibitory monoclonal antibodies on acetylcholinesterase. Identification of a novel regulatory site at the putative "back door".

We investigated the target sites of three inhibitory monoclonal antibodies on Electrophorus acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Previous studies showed that Elec-403 and Elec-410 are directed to overlapping but distinct epitopes in the peripheral site, at the entrance of the catalytic gorge, whereas Elec-408 binds to a different region. Using Electrophorus/rat AChE chimeras, we identified surface residues that differed between sensitive and insensitive AChEs: the replacement of a single Electrophorus residue by its rat homolog was able to abolish binding and inhibition, for each antibody. Reciprocally, binding and inhibition by Elec-403 and by Elec-410 could be conferred to rat AChE by the reverse mutation. Elec-410 appears to bind to one side of the active gorge, whereas Elec-403 covers its opening, explaining why the AChE-Elec-410 complex reacts faster than the AChE-Elec-403 or AChE-fasciculin complexes with two active site inhibitors, m-(N,N, N-trimethyltammonio)trifluoro-acetophenone and echothiophate. Elec-408 binds to the region of the putative "back door," distant from the peripheral site, and does not interfere with the access of inhibitors to the active site. The binding of an antibody to this novel regulatory site may inhibit the enzyme by blocking the back door or by inducing a conformational distortion within the active site.     

Possible ligand release pathway of dipeptidyl peptidase IV investigated by molecular dynamics simulations

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) is an important target for the treatment of Type II diabetes mellitus. The crystal structure of DPP4 demonstrates that there are two possible pathways to the active site, a side opening and a β propeller opening. However, it still lacks quantitative evidence to illustrate which pathway is more favorable for inhibitor to enter into or release from the active site. In this study, conventional and steered molecular dynamics simulations were performed to explore the details of inhibitor Q448 release from the active site of DPP4 via the two potential pathways. The comparisons of force and work together with potentials of mean force results suggested that the side opening might be more favorable for the inhibitor to pass through. Moreover, Glu205-Glu206 and Phe357 were recognized as two "key residues" in the active site for inhibitor binding. Accordingly, suggestions for further inhibitor design were provided.     

Homology Built Model of Acetylcholinesterase from Drosophila Melanogaster

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterases from Drosophila melanogaster and Torpedo marmorata possess 35% identical residues. We built a homology model of the Drosophila enzyme on the basis of the known three-dimensional structure of Torpedo acetylcholinesterase, which revealed an oval rim of the active site gorge with an additional hollow which could accept small charged ligands more firmly than the corresponding surface in the Torpedo enzyme. This difference at the peripheral site, together with the kinetics of W121A and W359L mutants, suggests coordinate action of important hydrophobic residues that form the active site gorge during the catalytic process. It may also account for the activation-inhibition kinetic pattern which is characteristic for the insect enzyme.     

Ligand diffusion in the catalase from Proteus mirabilis: a molecular dynamics study

The role of the channels and cavities present in the catalase from Proteus mirabilis (PMC) was investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The reactant and products of the reaction, H(2)O(2) -->1/2 O(2) + H(2)O, catalyzed by the enzyme were allowed to diffuse to and from the active site. Dynamic fluctuations in the structure are found necessary for the opening of the major channel, identified in the X-ray model, which allows access to the active site. This channel is the only pathway to the active site observed during the dynamics, and both the products and reactant use it. H(2)O and O(2) are also detected in a cavity defined by the heme and Ser196, which could play an important role during the reaction. Free energy profiles of the ligands diffusing through the major channel indicate that the barriers to ligand diffusion are less than 20 kJ mol(-1) for each of the species. It is not clear from our study that minor channels play a role for access to the protein active site or to the protein surface.     

Flexibility and charge asymmetry in the activation loop of Src tyrosine kinases

Regulated activity of Src kinases is critical for cell growth. Src kinases can be activated by trans-phosphorylation of a tyrosine located in the central activation loop of the catalytic domain. However, because the required exposure of this tyrosine is not observed in the down-regulated X-ray structures of Src kinases, transient partial opening of the activation loop appears to be necessary for such processes. Umbrella sampling molecular dynamics simulations are used to characterize the free energy landscape of opening of the hydrophilic part of the activation loop in the Src kinase Hck. The loop prefers a partially open conformation where Tyr416 has increased accessibility, but remains partly shielded. An asymmetric distribution of the charged residues in the sequence near Tyr416, which contributes to shielding, is found to be conserved in Src family members. A conformational equilibrium involving exchange of electrostatic interactions between the conserved residues Glu310 and Arg385 or Arg409 affects activation loop opening. A mechanism for access of unphosphorylated Tyr416 into an external catalytic site is suggested based on these observations.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of lignin peroxidase in solution

The dynamical and structural properties of lignin peroxidase and its Trp171Ala mutant have been investigated in aqueous solution using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In both cases, the enzyme retained its overall backbone structure and all its noncovalent interactions in the course of the MD simulations. Very interestingly, the analysis of the MD trajectories showed the presence of large fluctuations in correspondence of the residues forming the heme access channel; these movements enlarge the opening and facilitate the access of substrates to the enzyme active site. Moreover, steered molecular dynamics docking simulations have shown that lignin peroxidase natural substrate (veratryl alcohol) can easily approach the heme edge through the access channel.