(Georgia Institute of Technology, 1998-02-08)
Kolinski, Andrzej; Galazka, Wojciech; Skolnick, Jeffrey
Employing a high coordination lattice model and conformational sampling based on dynamic and entropy sampling Monte Carlo protocols, computer experiments were performed on three small globular proteins, each representing one of the three secondary structure classes. The goal was to explore the thermodynamic character of the conformational transition and possible mechanisms of topology assembly. Depending on the stability of isolated elements of secondary structure, topology assembly can proceed by various mechanisms. For the three-helix bundle, protein A, which exhibits substantial helix content in the denatured state, a diffusion–collision mechanism of topology assembly dominates, and here, the conformational transition is predicted to be continuous. In contrast, a model β protein, which possesses little intrinsic denatured state secondary structure, exhibits a sequential "on-site" assembly mechanism and a conformational transition that is well described by a two-state model. Augmenting the cooperativity of tertiary interactions led to a slight shift toward the diffusion–collision model of assembly. Finally, simulations of the folding of the α / β protein G, while only partially successful, suggest that the C-terminal β hairpin should be an early folding conformation and that the N-terminal β hairpin is considerably less stable in isolation. Implications of these results for our general understanding of the process of protein folding and their utility for de novo structure prediction are briefly discussed.
(Georgia Institute of Technology, 1995-12-15)
Kolinski, Andrzej; Galazka, Wojciech; Skolnick, Jeffrey
A lattice model of protein conformation and dynamics is used to explore the requirements for the de novo folding from an arbitrary random coil state of idealized models of four and six-member β-barrels. A number of possible conjectures for the factors giving rise to the structural uniqueness of globular proteins are examined. These include the relative role of generic hydrophilic/ hydrophobic amino acid patterns, the relative importance of the specific identity of the hydrophobic amino acids that form the core of the protein and the possible role played by polar groups in destabilizing alternative, misfolded conformations. These studies may also provide some insights into the relative importance of short range interactions, cooperative hydrogen bonding and tertiary interactions in determining the uniqueness of the native state, as well as the cooperativity of the folding process. Thus, these simulations may provide guidelines for the early stages of the protein design process. Possible applications to the general protein folding problem are also briefly discussed.