Ligand-induced changes in estrogen receptor conformation as measured by site-directed spin labeling

Site-directed spin labeling (SDSL), the site-specific incorporation of nitroxide spin-labels into a protein, has allowed us to investigate ligand-induced conformational changes in the ligand-binding domain of human estrogen receptor alpha (hERalpha-LBD). EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) spectroscopy of the nitroxide probe attached to ER produces different spectra depending upon the identity of the bound ligand; these differences are indicative of changes in the type and degree of motional character of the spin-label induced by different ligand-induced conformations of labeled ER. Visual inspection of EPR spectra, construction of B versus C cross-correlation plots, and cross-comparison of spectral pairs using a relative squared difference (RSD) calculation allowed receptor-ligand complexes to be profiled according to their conformational character. Plotting B and C parameters allowed us to evaluate the liganded receptor according to the motional characteristics of the attached spin-label, and they were particularly illustrative for the receptor labeled at position 530, which had motion between the fast and intermediate regimes. RSD analysis allowed us to directly compare the similarity or difference between two different spectra, and these comparisons produced groupings that paralleled those seen in B versus C cross-correlation plots, again relating meaningfully with the pharmacological nature of the bound ligand. RSD analysis was also particularly useful for qualifying differences seen with the receptor labeled at position 417, which had motion between the intermediate and slow motional regimes. This work demonstrates that B and C formulas from EPR line shape theory are useful for qualitative analysis of spectra with differences subtler than those that are often analyzed by EPR spectroscopists. This work also provides evidence that the ER can exist in a range of conformations, with specific conformations resulting from preferential stabilization of ER by the bound ligand. Furthermore, it documents the complexity and uniqueness of the ligand-receptor structure, and highlights the fact that structural differences exist between the receptor bound with ligands of different pharmacological character that, nevertheless, produce similar crystal structures.     

Simulation of nitroxide electron paramagnetic resonance spectra from brownian trajectories and molecular dynamics simulations

A simulated continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of a nitroxide spin label can be obtained from the Fourier transform of a free induction decay. It has been previously shown that the free induction decay can be calculated by solving the time-dependent stochastic Liouville equation for a set of Brownian trajectories defining the rotational dynamics of the label. In this work, a quaternion-based Monte Carlo algorithm has been developed to generate Brownian trajectories describing the global rotational diffusion of a spin-labeled protein. Also, molecular dynamics simulations of two spin-labeled mutants of T4 lysozyme, T4L F153R1, and T4L K65R1 have been used to generate trajectories describing the internal dynamics of the protein and the local dynamics of the spin-label side chain. Trajectories from the molecular dynamics simulations combined with trajectories describing the global rotational diffusion of the protein are used to account for all of the dynamics of a spin-labeled protein. Spectra calculated from these combined trajectories correspond well to the experimental spectra for the buried site T4L F153R1 and the helix surface site T4L K65R1. This work provides a framework to further explore the modeling of the dynamics of the spin-label side chain in the wide variety of labeling environments encountered in site-directed spin labeling studies.     

Solvent interactions and protein dynamics in spin-labeled T4 lysozyme

Aspects of T4 lysozyme dynamics and solvent interaction are investigated using atomically detailed Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. Two spin-labeled mutants of T4 lysozyme are analyzed (T4L-N40C and T4L-K48C), which have been found from electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments to exhibit different mobilities at the site of spin probe attachment (N- and C-terminus of helix B, respectively). Similarities and differences in solvent distribution and diffusion around the spin label, as well as around exposed and buried residues within the protein, are discussed. The purpose is to capture possible strong interactions between the spin label (ring) and solvent molecules, which may affect EPR lineshapes. The effect of backbone motions on the water density profiles is also investigated. The focus is on the domain closure associated with the T4 lysozyme hinge-bending motion, which is analyzed by Essential Dynamics (ED). The N-terminus of helix B is found to be a "hinge" residue, which explains the high degree of flexibility and motional freedom at this site.     

Application of NMR,molecular simulation,and hydrodynamics to conformational analysis of trisaccharides

The preferred conformations and conformational flexibilities of the trisaccharides alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->2)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-OMe (I) and alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->4)]-alpha-D-Glcp-OMe (II) in aqueous solution were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, molecular dynamics (MD) and Langevin dynamics (LD) simulations, and hydrodynamics calculations. Both trisaccharides have a vicinal substitution pattern in which long range (nonsequential) interactions may play an important role. LD simulation at 600 K indicated that the all-syn conformation predominated, though other conformations were apparent. NOE data and MD and LD simulations at 298 K all indicated that trisaccharide I is a single all-syn conformer in solution. Given that previous studies showed evidence of anti-conformers in beta-D-Glcp-(1-->2)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-OMe, this result provides an example of how changing the anomeric configuration of one residue from beta to alpha can make an oligosaccharide more rigid. Discrepancies in inter-ring distances obtained by experiment and by simulation of the all-syn conformer suggest the presence of an anti-psi conformation at the beta-(1-->4)-linkage for II. A combined analysis of measured and calculated translational diffusion constants and (13)C T(1) relaxation times yield order parameters of 0.9 for each trisaccharide. This implies that any interconversion among conformations is significantly slower than tumbling. Anisotropies of approximately 1.6 and 1.3 calculated for I and II, respectively, are consistent with the observed relatively flat T(1) profiles because the tumbling is not in the motional narrowing regime.     

Spin-Labeled Nucleotide Mobility in the Boundary of the EcoRI Endonuclease Binding Site

Abstract

A complex consisting of the EcoRI endonuclease site-specifically bound to spin-labeled DNA 26mers was prepared to provide a model system for studying possible conformational changes resulting from protein binding. EPR was used to monitor the mobility of the spin labels that were strategically placed in position 6, 9, or 11 with respect to the dyad axis of the 26mer. These positions are located within the flanking region on either side of the EcoRI hexamer binding site. This allows the monitoring of potential distal structural changes in the DNA helix caused by protein binding. The spectral line shapes indicate that the spin label closest to the EcoRI endonuclease binding site, i.e., in position 6, is most influenced by the binding event. The EPR data are analyzed according to a model that distinguishes between spectral effects due to a change in the hydrodynamic shape of the complex and those resulting from local variations in the spin-label mobility as characterized by a local order parameter S. S reflecting the motional restriction of the spin-labeled base is 0.20 ± 0.01 for all three oligomers as well as for the two complexes with the label in position 9 or 11, while the position 6 labeled complex yields S=0.25. To further evaluate the origin of the slightly larger EPR effect observed with position 6 labeled material, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to explore the space accessible to the probes in positions 6, 9, and 11. MD results gave similar nitroxide trajectories for all three labeled 26mers in the absence or presence of EcoRI. Thus, the small position 6 effect is attributed to a structural distortion in the major groove of the DNA at this location possibly corresponding to a bend induced by protein binding. The observation that the spectral changes are small indicates the absence of any significant structural disruption being propagated along the helix as a result of protein binding. Also, the fact that the line shape of the 26mers did not change as expected from hydrodynamic theory in view of the significant increase in molecular volume upon protein binding suggests that there are additional relaxation processes involving the protein and nucleic acid.     

Solvent Interactions and Protein Dynamics in Spin-labeled T4 Lysozyme

Abstract

Aspects of T4 lysozyme dynamics and solvent interaction are investigated using atomically detailed Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. Two spin-labeled mutants of T4 lysozyme are analyzed (T4L-N40C and T4L-K48C), which have been found from electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments to exhibit different mobilities at the site of spin probe attachment (N- and C-terminus of helix B, respectively). Similarities and differences in solvent distribution and diffusion around the spin label, as well as around exposed and buried residues within the protein, are discussed. The purpose is to capture possible strong interactions between the spin label (ring) and solvent molecules, which may affect EPR lineshapes. The effect of backbone motions on the water density profiles is also investigated. The focus is on the domain closure associated with the T4 lysozyme hinge-bending motion, which is analyzed by Essential Dynamics (ED). The N-terminus of helix B is found to be a “hinge” residue, which explains the high degree of flexibility and motional freedom at this site.     

High-field EPR studies of the structure and conformational changes of site-directed spin labeled bacteriorhodopsin

Cw and pulsed high-field EPR (95 GHz, 3.4 T) are performed on site-directed spin labeled bacteriorhodopsin (BR) mutants. The enhanced Zeeman splitting leads to spectra with resolved g-tensor components of the nitroxide spin label. The g(xx) component shift determined for 10 spin labels located in the cytoplasmic loop region and in the protein interior along the BR proton channel reveals a maximum close to position 46 between the proton donor D96 and the retinal. A plot of g(xx) versus A(zz) of the nitrogen discloses grouping of 12 spin labeled sites in protic and aprotic sites. Spin labels at positions 46, 167 and 171 show the aprotic character of the cytoplasmic moiety of the proton channel whereas nitroxides at positions 53, 194 and 129 reveal the protic environment in the extracellular channel. The enhanced sensitivity of high-field EPR with respect to anisotropic reorientational motion of nitroxides allows the characterization of different motional modes for spin labels bound to positions 167 and 170. The motional restriction of the nitroxide at position 167 of the double mutant V167C/D96N is decreased in the M(N) photo-intermediate. An outward shift of the cytoplasmic moiety of helix F in the M(N) intermediate would account for the high-field EPR results and is in agreement with diffraction and recent X-band EPR data.     

Calculation of electron paramagnetic resonance spectra from Brownian dynamics trajectories: application to nitroxide side chains in proteins.

We present a method to simulate electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of spin-labeled proteins that explicitly includes the protein structure in the vicinity of the attached spin label. The method is applied to a spin-labeled polyleucine alpha-helix trimer. From short (6 ns) stochastic dynamics simulations of this trimer, an effective potential energy function is calculated. Interaction with secondary and tertiary structures determine the reorientational motion of the spin label side chains. After reduction to a single particle problem, long stochastic dynamic trajectories (700 ns) of the spin label side-chain reorientation are calculated from which the Lamor frequency trajectory and subsequently the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum is determined. The simulated spectra agree well with experimental electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of bacteriorhodopsin mutants with spin labels in similar secondary and tertiary environments as in the polyleucine.     

Saturation-transfer electron paramagnetic resonance detection of anisotropic motion by sickle hemoglobin molecules in the polymer state

The motional behavior of spin-labeled deoxygenated sickle hemoglobin has been studied by using both 9- and 35-GHz saturation-transfer electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Using spectral subtraction techniques and saturation-transfer EPR parameter correlation plots, we find that the saturation-transfer EPR spectra for the sickle hemoglobin gel state at high temperature and high hemoglobin concentration cannot be described as a simple superposition of spectra from immobilized hemoglobin plus solution-state hemoglobin but instead suggest that the individual sickle hemoglobin molecules exhibit limited, anisotropic, rotational oscillation within the polymer fiber. The spectra also imply that the symmetry axis for sickle hemoglobin rotational oscillation is approximately coincident with the nitroxide z axis of the covalently attached spin-label. We suggest that this anisotropic rotational motion may be produced by one or two of the known intermolecular contact sites within the sickle hemoglobin fiber acting as strong intermolecular binding sites, and producing "motional alignment" within the fiber; determining the location of the strong binding site should be important in focusing the future development of antisickling agents.     

Structural origins of nitroxide side chain dynamics on membrane protein α-helical sites

Understanding the structure and dynamics of membrane proteins in their native, hydrophobic environment is important to understanding how these proteins function. EPR spectroscopy in combination with site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) can measure dynamics and structure of membrane proteins in their native lipid environment; however, until now the dynamics measured have been qualitative due to limited knowledge of the nitroxide spin label's intramolecular motion in the hydrophobic environment. Although several studies have elucidated the structural origins of EPR line shapes of water-soluble proteins, EPR spectra of nitroxide spin-labeled proteins in detergents or lipids have characteristic differences from their water-soluble counterparts, suggesting significant differences in the underlying molecular motion of the spin label between the two environments. To elucidate these differences, membrane-exposed α-helical sites of the leucine transporter, LeuT, from Aquifex aeolicus, were investigated using X-ray crystallography, mutational analysis, nitroxide side chain derivatives, and spectral simulations in order to obtain a motional model of the nitroxide. For each crystal structure, the nitroxide ring of a disulfide-linked spin label side chain (R1) is resolved and makes contacts with hydrophobic residues on the protein surface. The spin label at site I204 on LeuT makes a nontraditional hydrogen bond with the ortho-hydrogen on its nearest neighbor F208, whereas the spin label at site F177 makes multiple van der Waals contacts with a hydrophobic pocket formed with an adjacent helix. These results coupled with the spectral effect of mutating the i ± 3, 4 residues suggest that the spin label has a greater affinity for its local protein environment in the low dielectric than on a water-soluble protein surface. The simulations of the EPR spectra presented here suggest the spin label oscillates about the terminal bond nearest the ring while maintaining weak contact with the protein surface. Combined, the results provide a starting point for determining a motional model for R1 on membrane proteins, allowing quantification of nitroxide dynamics in the aliphatic environment of detergent and lipids. In addition, initial contributions to a rotamer library of R1 on membrane proteins are provided, which will assist in reliably modeling the R1 conformational space for pulsed dipolar EPR and NMR paramagnetic relaxation enhancement distance determination.     

Dynamics and interactions of the anion channel in intact human erythrocytes: an electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic study employing a new membrane-impermeant bifunctional spin-label

We have developed a new membrane-impermeant, bifunctional spin-labeling reagent, bis-(sulfo-N-succinimidyl) doxyl-2-spiro-4'-pimelate (BSSDP), and employed it in an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of the rotational diffusion of the anion-exchange channel (band 3) in intact human erythrocytes. BSSDP reacts in a covalent manner and with high specificity with the extracytoplasmic domain of band 3, forming a complex in which the spin-label is immobilized on the protein. The linear EPR spectrum of BSSDP-labeled intact erythrocytes is characteristic of a highly immobilized, spatially isolated nitroxide probe. The saturation-transfer EPR spectrum of the same sample indicates that the anion channel in intact erythrocytes exhibits rotational dynamics in the 0.1-1 ms correlation time range at 20 degrees C. Rotational dynamics in this motional domain are consistent with a strong interaction of the anion-exchange channel with the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. The saturation-transfer EPR spectrum of ghosts prepared from BSSDP-labeled erythrocytes indicates a significant increase in rotational mobility of the anion channel, suggesting a significant disruption on lysis of interactions between the anion channel and the cytoskeleton.     

Interpretation of H-NMR Experiments on the Orientation of the Transmembrane Helix WALP23 by Computer Simulations

Orientation, dynamics, and packing of transmembrane helical peptides are important determinants of membrane protein structure, dynamics, and function. Because it is difficult to investigate these aspects by studying real membrane proteins, model transmembrane helical peptides are widely used. NMR experiments provide information on both orientation and dynamics of peptides, but they require that motional models be interpreted. Different motional models yield different interpretations of quadrupolar splittings (QS) in terms of helix orientation and dynamics. Here, we use coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the behavior of a well-known model transmembrane peptide, WALP23, under different hydrophobic matching/mismatching conditions. We compare experimental ²H-NMR QS (directly measured in experiments), as well as helix tilt angle and azimuthal rotation (not directly measured), with CG MD simulation results. For QS, the agreement is significantly better than previously obtained with atomistic simulations, indicating that equilibrium sampling is more important than atomistic details for reproducing experimental QS. Calculations of helix orientation confirm that the interpretation of QS depends on the motional model used. Our simulations suggest that WALP23 can form dimers, which are more stable in an antiparallel arrangement. The origin of the preference for the antiparallel orientation lies not only in electrostatic interactions but also in better surface complementarity. In most cases, a mixture of monomers and antiparallel dimers provides better agreement with NMR data compared to the monomer and the parallel dimer. CG MD simulations allow predictions of helix orientation and dynamics and interpretation of QS data without requiring any assumption about the motional model.     

Exploring the energy landscape of protein folding using replica-exchange and conventional molecular dynamics simulations

Two independent replica-exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) simulations with an explicit water model were performed of the Trp-cage mini-protein. In the first REMD simulation, the replicas started from the native conformation, while in the second they started from a nonnative conformation. Initially, the first simulation yielded results qualitatively similar to those of two previously published REMD simulations: the protein appeared to be over-stabilized, with the predicted melting temperature 50-150K higher than the experimental value of 315K. However, as the first REMD simulation progressed, the protein unfolded at all temperatures. In our second REMD simulation, which starts from a nonnative conformation, there was no evidence of significant folding. Transitions from the unfolded to the folded state did not occur on the timescale of these simulations, despite the expected improvement in sampling of REMD over conventional molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The combined 1.42 micros of simulation time was insufficient for REMD simulations with different starting structures to converge. Conventional MD simulations at a range of temperatures were also performed. In contrast to REMD, the conventional MD simulations provide an estimate of Tm in good agreement with experiment. Furthermore, the conventional MD is a fraction of the cost of REMD and continuous, realistic pathways of the unfolding process at atomic resolution are obtained.     

Electron spin resonance in membrane research: protein–lipid interactions from challenging beginnings to state of the art

Conventional electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of lipids that are spin-labelled close to the terminal methyl end of the acyl chains are able to resolve the lipids directly contacting the protein from those in the fluid bilayer regions of the membrane. This allows determination of both the stoichiometry of lipid–protein interaction (i.e., number of lipid sites at the protein perimeter) and the selectivity of the protein for different lipid species (i.e., association constants relative to the background lipid). Spin-label EPR data are summarised for 20 or more different transmembrane peptides and proteins, and 7 distinct species of lipids. Lineshape simulations of the two-component conventional spin-label EPR spectra allow estimation of the rate at which protein-associated lipids exchange with those in the bulk fluid regions of the membrane. For lipids that do not display a selectivity for the protein, the intrinsic off-rates for exchange are in the region of 10 MHz: less than 10× slower than the rates of diffusive exchange in fluid lipid membranes. Lipids with an affinity for the protein, relative to the background lipid, have off-rates for leaving the protein that are correspondingly slower. Non-linear EPR, which depends on saturation of the spectrum at high radiation intensities, is optimally sensitive to dynamics on the timescale of spin-lattice relaxation, i.e., the microsecond regime. Both progressive saturation and saturation transfer EPR experiments provide definitive evidence that lipids at the protein interface are exchanging on this timescale. The sensitivity of non-linear EPR to low frequencies of spin exchange also allows the location of spin-labelled membrane protein residues relative to those of spin-labelled lipids, in double-labelling experiments.     

Accuracy and precision of NMR relaxation experiments and MD simulations for characterizing protein dynamics

Model-free parameters obtained from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations commonly are used to describe the intramolecular dynamical properties of proteins. To assess the relative accuracy and precision of experimental and simulated model-free parameters, three independent data sets derived from backbone ¹⁵N NMR relaxation experiments and two independent data sets derived from MD simulations of Escherichia coli ribonuclease HI are compared. The widths of the distributions of the differences between the order parameters for pairs of NMR data sets are congruent with the uncertainties derived from statistical analyses of individual data sets; thus, current protocols for analyzing NMR data encapsulate random uncertainties appropriately. Large differences in order parameters for certain residues are attributed to systematic differences between samples for intralaboratory comparisons and unknown, possibly magnetic field-dependent, experimental effects for interlaboratory comparisons. The widths of distributions of the differences between the order parameters for two NMR sets are similar to widths of distributions for an NMR and an MD set or for two MD sets. The linear correlations between the order parameters for an MD set and an NMR set are within the range of correlations observed between pairs of NMR sets. These comparisons suggest that the NMR and MD generalized order parameters for the backbone amide N—H bond vectors are of comparable accuracy for residues exhibiting motions on a fast time scale (<100 ps). Large discrepancies between NMR and MD order parameters for certain residues are attributed to the occurrence of “rare” motional events over the simulation trajectories, the disruption of an element of secondary structure in one of the simulations, and lack of consensus among the experimental data sets. Consequently, (easily detectable) severe distortions of local protein structure and infrequent motional events in MD simulations appear to be the most serious artifacts affecting the accuracy and precision, respectively, of MD order parameters relative to NMR values. In addition, MD order parameters for motions on a fast (<100 ps) timescale are more precisely determined than their NMR counterparts, thereby permitting more detailed dynamic characterization of biologically important residues by MD simulation than is sometimes possible by experimental methods. Proteins 28:481–493, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Librational motion of an "immobilized" spin label: hemoglobin spin labeled by a maleimide derivative.

The spin label Tempo-maleimide, when "immobilized" in hemoglobin, is shown to exhibit motional fluctuation whose amplitude and/or frequency depend on temperature and solution conditions. These motional fluctuations are observable by several electron spin resonance techniques. For desalted hemoglobin the fluctuations are detectable at approximately -15 degrees C using saturation transfer techniques and at approximately +25 degrees C using line-width measurements of normal absorption spectra. In ammonium sulfate precipitated hemoglobin, however, motional fluctuations are not detectable by either technique up to at least 40 degrees C. The most probable mechanism for spin-label motion appears to be either fluctuations in protein conformation which affect the label binding site or conformational transitions of the nitroxide ring itself. These motional fluctuations are shown to introduce a librational character to the overall label motion during hemoglobin rotational diffusion, with the librational motion significantly affecting the use of spin-label spectral shapes to calculate hemoglobin rotational correlation times.     

Complex formation between nucleotides and D-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase studied by fluorescence and EPR spectroscopy

D-beta-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (D-3-hydroxybutyrate:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.30) is a lipid-requiring enzyme which specifically requires phosphosphatidylcholine for enzymic activity. The phosphatidylcholine modifies the binding and orientation of the coenzyme, NAD(H), with respect to the enzyme. In the present study, two derivatives of NAD, spin-labeled either at N-6 or C-8 of the adenine ring, were found to be active as coenzyme. The binding affinity of NADH to the enzyme was opitimized by increasing the salt concentration and increasing the pH from 6 to 8, with the pK at 6.8. Monomethylmalonate, a substrate analogue, was found to enhance NADH binding (Kd is reduced from 4 to 1 microM). Sulfite strongly enhances the binding of NAD+ via the enzyme-catalyzed formation of an adduct of sulfite with the nucleotide; the Kd for binding of NAD-sulfite is in the micromolar range, whereas NAD+ binding is more than a magnitude weaker. The binding of spin-labeled NAD(H) was further characterized by EPR spectroscopy. Increased sensitivity and resolution were obtained with the use of NAD(H) analogues perdeuterated in the spin-label moiety. For these analogues bound to D-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase in phospholipid vesicles, EPR studies showed the spin-label moiety to be constrained and revealed two distinct components. Increasing the viscosity of the medium by addition of glycerol affected the EPR spectral characteristics of only the component with the smaller resolved averaged hyperfine splitting. The stage is now set to study motional characteristics of the enzyme, using these spin-labeled probes which mimic the coenzyme.     

Influence of the disulfide bond configuration on the dynamics of the spin label attached to cytochrome c

A series of multi-nanosecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of wild-type cytochrome c and its spin-labeled variants with the methanethiosulfonate moiety attached at position C102 were performed (1) to elucidate the effect of the spin probe presence on the protein structure and (2) to describe the structure and dynamics of the spin-label moiety. Comparisons with the reference crystal structure of cytochrome c (PDB entry: 1YCC) indicate that the protein secondary structure is well preserved during simulations of the wild-type cytochrome c but slightly changed in simulations of the cytochrome c labeled at position C102. At the time scale covered in our simulations, the spin label exhibits highly dynamical behavior. The number of observed distinct conformations of the spin label moiety is between 3 and 13. The spin probe was found to form short-lived hydrogen bonds with the protein. Temporary hydrophobic interactions between the probe and the protein were also detected. The MD simulations directly show that the disulfide bond in the tether linking a spin probe with a protein strongly influence the behavior of the nitroxide group. The conformational flexibility and interaction with the protein are different for each of the two low energy conformations of the disulfide bond.     

Structural Assignment of Spectra by Characterization of Conformational Substates in Bound MbCO

Residue motions of the distal heme pocket and bound CO ligand of carbonmonoxy Myoglobin are studied using a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemical methods. Using mixed quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations together with sampling from molecular dynamics simulations (QM/MM(MD)), the experimentally observed spectroscopic A₀ and A₁ substates of the bound CO ligand are assigned to the open and closed conformation of His⁶⁴ and the His_ɛ⁶⁴ tautomer, respectively. Several previously proposed origins of the A₃ substate, including rotamers of the doubly protonated His⁶⁴H⁺ side chain, His⁶⁴H⁺ inside the distal pocket, and cooperative motions with Arg⁴⁵, are investigated with QM/MM(MD). However, the signatures of the calculated infrared spectra do not agree with the experimentally observed ones. For additional insight on this, extensive molecular dynamics simulations are used together with improved electrostatics for the bound ligand. A CO fluctuating charge model is developed to describe the ab initio dipole and quadrupole moments of the bound ligand. CO absorption spectra are then obtained directly from the dynamics simulations. Finally, the electrostatics of the heme pocket is examined in detail in an attempt to determine the structural origins of the observed spectroscopic A-states from MD simulations. However, contrary to related simulations for unbound CO in myoglobin, the shifts and splittings for carbonmonoxy Myoglobin are generally small and difficult to relate to structural change. This suggests that coupling of the CO motion to other degrees of freedom, such as the Fe-CO stretching and bending, is important to correctly describe the dynamics of bound CO in myoglobin.