International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
25(18), P. 10082 - 10082
Published: Sept. 19, 2024
Despite
the
success
of
AlphaFold2
approaches
in
predicting
single
protein
structures,
these
methods
showed
intrinsic
limitations
multiple
functional
conformations
allosteric
proteins
and
have
been
challenged
to
accurately
capture
effects
point
mutations
that
induced
significant
structural
changes.
We
examined
several
implementations
predict
conformational
ensembles
for
state-switching
mutants
ABL
kinase.
The
results
revealed
a
combination
randomized
alanine
sequence
masking
with
shallow
alignment
subsampling
can
significantly
expand
diversity
predicted
shifts
populations
active
inactive
states.
Consistent
NMR
experiments,
M309L/L320I
M309L/H415P
perturb
regulatory
spine
networks
featured
increased
population
fully
closed
state.
proposed
adaptation
AlphaFold
reproduce
experimentally
observed
mutation-induced
redistributions
relative
states
on
rearrangements
kinase
domain.
ensemble-based
network
analysis
complemented
predictions
by
revealing
hotspots
correspond
mutational
sites
which
may
explain
global
effect
changes
between
This
study
suggested
attention-based
learning
long-range
dependencies
positions
homologous
folds
deciphering
patterns
interactions
further
augment
predictive
abilities
modeling
alternative
sates,
transformations.
PLoS Computational Biology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
20(7), P. e1012302 - e1012302
Published: July 24, 2024
Protein
kinase
function
and
interactions
with
drugs
are
controlled
in
part
by
the
movement
of
DFG
ɑC-Helix
motifs
that
related
to
catalytic
activity
kinase.
Small
molecule
ligands
elicit
therapeutic
effects
distinct
selectivity
profiles
residence
times
often
depend
on
active
or
inactive
conformation(s)
they
bind.
Modern
AI-based
structural
modeling
methods
have
potential
expand
upon
limited
availability
experimentally
determined
structures
states.
Here,
we
first
explored
conformational
space
kinases
PDB
models
generated
AlphaFold2
(AF2)
ESMFold,
two
prominent
protein
structure
prediction
methods.
Our
investigation
AF2’s
ability
explore
diversity
kinome
at
various
multiple
sequence
alignment
(MSA)
depths
showed
a
bias
within
predicted
DFG-in
conformations,
particularly
those
motif,
based
their
overabundance
PDB.
We
demonstrate
predicting
using
AF2
lower
MSA
these
alternative
conformations
more
extensively,
including
identifying
previously
unobserved
for
398
kinases.
Ligand
enrichment
analyses
23
that,
average,
docked
distinguished
between
molecules
decoys
better
than
random
(average
AUC
(avgAUC)
64.58),
but
select
perform
well
(e.g.,
avgAUCs
PTK2
JAK2
were
79.28
80.16,
respectively).
Further
analysis
explained
ligand
discrepancy
low-
high-performing
as
binding
site
occlusions
would
preclude
docking.
The
overall
results
our
suggested
although
uncharted
regions
exhibited
scores
suitable
rational
drug
discovery,
rigorous
refinement
is
likely
still
necessary
discovery
campaigns.
Proteins Structure Function and Bioinformatics,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
91(12), P. 1903 - 1911
Published: Oct. 23, 2023
Abstract
For
the
first
time,
2022
CASP
(Critical
Assessment
of
Structure
Prediction)
community
experiment
included
a
section
on
computing
multiple
conformations
for
protein
and
RNA
structures.
There
was
full
or
partial
success
in
reproducing
ensembles
four
nine
targets,
an
encouraging
result.
structures,
enhanced
sampling
with
variations
AlphaFold2
deep
learning
method
by
far
most
effective
approach.
One
substantial
conformational
change
caused
single
mutation
across
complex
interface
accurately
reproduced.
In
two
other
assembly
modeling
cases,
methods
succeeded
near
to
experimental
ones
even
though
environmental
factors
were
not
calculations.
An
experimentally
derived
flexibility
ensemble
allowed
accurate
structure
model
be
identified.
Difficulties
how
handle
sparse
low‐resolution
data
current
lack
RNA/protein
complexes.
However,
these
obstacles
appear
addressable.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(3), P. 725 - 732
Published: Jan. 12, 2024
Transporter
proteins
change
their
conformations
to
carry
substrate
across
the
cell
membrane.
The
conformational
dynamics
is
vital
understanding
transport
function.
We
have
studied
oxalate
transporter
(OxlT),
an
oxalate:formate
antiporter
from
Oxalobacter
formigenes,
significant
in
avoiding
kidney
stone
formation.
atomic
structure
of
OxlT
has
been
recently
solved
outward-open
and
occluded
states.
However,
inward-open
conformation
still
missing,
hindering
a
complete
transporter.
Here,
we
performed
Gaussian
accelerated
molecular
simulation
sample
extensive
space
successfully
predicted
where
cytoplasmic
formate
binding
was
preferred
over
binding.
also
identified
critical
interactions
for
conformation.
results
were
complemented
by
AlphaFold2
prediction.
Although
solely
conformation,
mutation
residues
made
it
partly
predict
identifying
possible
state-shifting
mutations.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
128(4), P. 914 - 936
Published: Jan. 18, 2024
A
structure-based
drug
design
pipeline
that
considers
both
thermodynamic
and
kinetic
binding
data
of
ligands
against
a
receptor
will
enable
the
computational
improved
molecules.
For
unresolved
GPCR-ligand
complexes,
workflow
can
apply
in
combination
with
alpha-fold
(AF)-derived
or
other
homology
models
experimentally
resolved
modes
relevant
GPCR-homologs
needs
to
be
tested.
Here,
as
test
case,
we
studied
congeneric
set
bind
structurally
G
protein-coupled
(GPCR),
inactive
human
adenosine
A3
(hA3R).
We
tested
three
available
from
which
two
have
been
generated
experimental
structures
hA1R
hA2AR
one
model
was
multistate
alphafold
2
(AF2)-derived
model.
applied
alchemical
calculations
integration
coupled
molecular
dynamics
(TI/MD)
simulations
calculate
relative
free
energies
residence
time
(τ)-random
accelerated
MD
(τ-RAMD)
times
(RTs)
for
antagonists.
While
TI/MD
produced,
models,
good
Pearson
correlation
coefficients,
correspondingly,
r
=
0.74,
0.62,
0.67
mean
unsigned
error
(mue)
values
0.94,
1.31,
0.81
kcal
mol–1,
τ-RAMD
method
showed
0.92
0.52
first
but
failed
produce
accurate
results
AF2-derived
With
subsequent
optimization
by
reorientation
side
chain
R1735.34
located
extracellular
loop
(EL2)
blocked
ligand's
unbinding,
0.84
performance
(r
0.81,
mue
0.56
mol–1).
Overall,
after
refining
AF2
physics-based
tools,
were
able
show
strong
between
predicted
ligand
affinities,
achieving
level
accuracy
comparable
an
structure.
The
used
receptors,
helping
rank
candidate
drugs
series
enabling
prioritization
leads
stronger
affinities
longer
times.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 20, 2024
The
groundbreaking
achievements
of
AlphaFold2
(AF2)
approaches
in
protein
structure
modeling
marked
a
transformative
era
structural
biology.
Despite
the
success
AF2
tools
predicting
single
structures,
these
methods
showed
intrinsic
limitations
multiple
functional
conformations
allosteric
proteins
and
fold-switching
systems.
recent
NMR-based
determination
unbound
ABL
kinase
active
state
two
inactive
low-populated
that
are
unique
for
presents
an
ideal
challenge
approaches.
In
current
study
we
employ
several
implementations
to
predict
conformational
ensembles
states
including
(a)
sequence
alignments
(MSA)
subsampling
approach;
(b)
SPEACH_AF
approach
which
alanine
scanning
is
performed
on
generated
MSAs;
(c)
introduced
this
randomized
full
mutational
manipulation
variations
combined
with
MSA
subsampling.
We
show
proposed
adaptation
local
frustration
mapping
enable
accurate
prediction
intermediate
structures
ensembles,
also
offering
robust
interpretable
characterization
predictions
detecting
hidden
states.
found
large
high
residue
clusters
uniquely
characteristic
low-populated,
fully
form
can
define
energetically
frustrated
cracking
sites
transitions,
presenting
difficult
targets
methods.
This
uncovered
previously
unappreciated,
fundamental
connections
between
distinct
patterns
successes/limitations
conformations,
providing
better
understanding
benefits
AF2-based
adaptations
ensembles.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
26(25), P. 17720 - 17744
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
In
this
study,
we
combined
AlphaFold-based
approaches
for
atomistic
modeling
of
multiple
protein
states
and
microsecond
molecular
simulations
to
accurately
characterize
conformational
ensembles
evolution
binding
mechanisms
convergent
the
SARS-CoV-2
spike
Omicron
variants
BA.1,
BA.2,
BA.2.75,
BA.3,
BA.4/BA.5
BQ.1.1.
We
employed
validated
several
different
adaptations
AlphaFold
methodology
including
introduced
randomized
full
sequence
scanning
manipulation
variations
systematically
explore
dynamics
complexes
with
ACE2
receptor.
Microsecond
(MD)
provide
a
detailed
characterization
landscapes
thermodynamic
stability
variant
complexes.
By
integrating
predictions
from
applying
statistical
confidence
metrics
can
expand
identify
functional
conformations
that
determine
equilibrium
ACE2.
Conformational
RBD-ACE2
obtained
using
MD
are
accurate
comparative
prediction
energetics
revealing
an
excellent
agreement
experimental
data.
particular,
results
demonstrated
AlphaFold-generated
extended
produce
energies
The
study
suggested
complementarities
potential
synergies
between
showing
information
both
methods
potentially
yield
more
adequate
This
provides
insights
in
interplay
binding,
through
acquisition
mutational
sites
may
leverage
adaptability
dynamic
couplings
key
energy
hotspots
optimize
affinity
enable
immune
evasion.
Small
molecule
drug
design
hinges
on
obtaining
co-crystallized
ligand-protein
structures.
Despite
AlphaFold2’s
strides
in
protein
native
structure
prediction,
its
focus
apo
structures
overlooks
ligands
and
associated
holo
Moreover,
designing
selective
drugs
often
benefits
from
the
targeting
of
diverse
metastable
conformations.
Therefore,
direct
application
AlphaFold2
models
virtual
screening
dis-covery
remains
tentative.
Here,
we
demonstrate
an
based
framework
combined
with
all-atom
enhanced
sampling
molecular
dynamics
induced
fit
docking,
named
AF2RAVE-Glide,
to
conduct
computational
model
small
binding
kinase
conformations,
initiated
sequences.
We
AF2RAVE-Glide
workflow
three
different
kinases
their
type
I
II
inhibitors,
special
emphasis
known
inhibitors
which
target
classical
DFG-out
state.
These
states
are
not
easy
sample
AlphaFold2.
Here
how
AF2RAVE
these
conformations
can
be
sampled
for
high
enough
ac-
curacy
enable
subsequent
docking
more
than
50%
success
rates
across
calculations.
believe
protocol
should
deployable
other
proteins
generally.
Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
19(22), P. 8414 - 8422
Published: Nov. 9, 2023
For
an
effective
drug,
strong
binding
to
the
target
protein
is
a
prerequisite,
but
it
not
enough.
To
produce
particular
functional
response,
drugs
need
either
block
proteins'
functions
or
modulate
their
activities
by
changing
conformational
equilibrium.
The
free
energy
of
compound
its
routinely
calculated,
timescales
for
changes
are
prohibitively
long
be
efficiently
modeled
via
physics-based
simulations.
Thermodynamic
principles
suggest
that
energies
ligands
with
different
receptor
conformations
may
infer
efficacy.
However,
this
hypothesis
has
been
thoroughly
validated.
We
present
actionable
protocol
and
comprehensive
study
show
thermodynamics
provides
predictor
efficacy
ligand.
apply
absolute
perturbation
method
bound
active
inactive
states
eight
G
protein-coupled
receptors
nuclear
then
compare
resulting
energies.
find
carefully
designed
restraints
often
necessary
model
corresponding
ensembles
each
state.
Our
achieves
unprecedented
performance
in
classifying
as
agonists
antagonists
across
various
investigated
receptors,
all
which
important
drug
targets.
Small
molecule
drug
design
hinges
on
obtaining
co-crystallized
ligand-protein
structures.
Despite
AlphaFold2's
strides
in
protein
native
structure
prediction,
its
focus
apo
structures
overlooks
ligands
and
associated
holo
Moreover,
designing
selective
drugs
often
benefits
from
the
targeting
of
diverse
metastable
conformations.
Therefore,
direct
application
AlphaFold2
models
virtual
screening
discovery
remains
tentative.
Here,
we
demonstrate
an
based
framework
combined
with
all-atom
enhanced
sampling
molecular
dynamics
induced
fit
docking,
named
AF2RAVE-Glide,
to
conduct
computational
model
small
binding
kinase
conformations,
initiated
sequences.
We
AF2RAVE-Glide
workflow
three
different
kinases
their
type
I
II
inhibitors,
special
emphasis
known
inhibitors
which
target
classical
DFG-out
state.
These
states
are
not
easy
sample
AlphaFold2.
Here
how
AF2RAVE
these
conformations
can
be
sampled
for
high
enough
accuracy
enable
subsequent
docking
more
than
50%
success
rates
across
calculations.
believe
protocol
should
deployable
other
proteins
generally.