bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Ноя. 5, 2023
ABSTRACT
Antimicrobial
resistance
is
a
public
health
crisis.
Limited
understanding
of
the
catalytic
drivers
in
resistance-mediating
enzymes
such
as
β-lactamases
hinders
our
ability
to
combat
this
Here,
we
dissect
contributions
active-site
electric
fields
class
A
β-lactamases.
We
studied
enzymatic
hydrolysis
carbapenem
antibiotic
by
QM/MM
molecular
dynamics
simulations
and
quantified
with
custom-made
script.
discovered
that
correlate
well
activity
identified
seven
positions,
some
distal,
distinguish
efficient
carbapenemases.
Electric-field
analysis
may
help
predict
guide
enzyme
design.
Abstract
Figure
Electric
field
script:
www.github.com/bunzela/FieldTools
Journal of the American Chemical Society,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
146(10), С. 6983 - 6991
Опубликована: Фев. 28, 2024
Molecular
dynamics
(MD)
simulations
are
frequently
carried
out
for
proteins
to
investigate
the
role
of
electrostatics
in
their
biological
function.
The
choice
force
field
(FF)
can
significantly
alter
MD
results,
as
simulated
local
electrostatic
interactions
lack
benchmarking
absence
appropriate
experimental
methods.
We
recently
reported
that
transition
dipole
moment
(TDM)
popular
nitrile
vibrational
probe
varies
linearly
with
environmental
electric
field,
overcoming
well-known
hydrogen
bonding
(H-bonding)
issues
frequency
and,
thus,
enabling
unambiguous
measurement
fields
(J.
Am.
Chem.
Soc.
2022,
144
(17),
7562–7567).
Herein,
we
utilize
this
new
strategy
enable
comparisons
and
protein
environments.
Specifically,
previously
determined
TDM
exerted
onto
nitrile-containing
o-cyanophenylalanine
residues
photoactive
yellow
compared
from
fixed-charge
AMBER
FF
polarizable
AMOEBA
FF.
observe
distributions
H-bonding
nitriles
substantially
affected
by
As
such,
underestimates
experiencing
moderate
strengths;
contrast,
robustly
recapitulates
fields.
dependence
be
partly
explained
presence
additional
negative
charge
density
along
bond
axis
AMOEBA,
which
is
due
inclusion
higher-order
multipole
parameters;
this,
turn,
begets
more
head-on
H-bonds.
conclude
discussing
implications
simulation
general.
ACS Catalysis,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
14(10), С. 7893 - 7900
Опубликована: Май 6, 2024
Cytochrome
P450
enzymes
play
a
pivotal
role
in
biosynthetic
and
metabolic
transformations.
Especially,
cytochrome
reductase
(CPR)
acts
as
the
key
electron
donor
for
oxygen
activation
by
monoxygenases,
but
transfer
mechanism
within
CPR
is
largely
elusive.
Here,
extensive
molecular
dynamics
(MD)
quantum
mechanics/molecular
mechanics
(QM/MM)
calculations
were
performed
to
elucidate
CPR's
mechanism.
We
found
that
from
FADH–
FMN
occurs
through
proton-coupled
(PCET)
Glu142
transfers
proton
via
two-water-molecule
chain,
concurrent
with
FMN.
The
subsequent
ET
FADH•
FMNH•
involves
an
Asp675-mediated
PCET
process,
where
Ser457-assisted
Asp675
coupled
FMNH•.
Notably,
local
electric
field
doubly
protonated
His180
significantly
enhances
reactions
both
kinetically
thermodynamically.
This
study
highlights
vital
of
facilitating
biological
enzymatic
reactions.
ACS Catalysis,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
14(9), С. 7166 - 7172
Опубликована: Апрель 23, 2024
Resistance
to
antibiotics
is
a
public
health
crisis.
Although
carbapenems
are
less
susceptible
resistance
than
other
β-lactam
antibiotics,
β-lactamases
mediating
against
these
drugs
spreading.
Here,
we
dissect
the
contributions
of
electric
fields
carbapenemase
activity
in
class
A
β-lactamases.
We
perform
QM/MM
molecular
dynamics
simulations
meropenem
acyl-enzyme
hydrolysis
that
correctly
discriminate
carbapenemases.
Electric
field
analysis
shows
active-site
deacylation
transition
state
and
tetrahedral
intermediate
important
determinants
activity.
The
identify
several
residues,
some
distal,
distinguish
efficient
Our
script
(www.github.com/bunzela/FieldTools)
may
help
understanding
combating
antibiotic
resistance.
Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Фев. 10, 2025
Computational
enzyme
design
is
a
promising
technique
for
producing
novel
enzymes
industrial
and
clinical
needs.
A
key
challenge
that
this
faces
to
consistently
achieve
the
desired
activity.
Fundamental
studies
of
natural
revealed
critical
contributions
from
second-shell
-
even
more
distant
residues
their
remarkable
efficiency.
In
particular,
such
organize
internal
electrostatic
field
promote
reaction.
Engineering
fields
computationally
proved
be
strategy,
which,
however,
has
some
limitations.
Charged
necessarily
form
specific
patterns
local
interactions
may
exploited
structural
integrity.
As
result,
it
impossible
probe
alone
by
substituting
amino
acids.
We
hypothesize
an
approach
isolates
influences
residues'
charges
other
could
yield
deeper
insights.
use
molecular
modeling
with
AI-enhanced
QM/MM
reaction
sampling
implement
apply
model
serine
protease
subtilisin.
find
negative
charge
8
Å
away
catalytic
site
crucial
achieving
enzyme's
efficiency,
contributing
than
2
kcal/mol
lowering
barrier.
contrast,
positive
second-closest
charged
residue
opposes
efficiency
raising
barrier
0.8
kcal/mol.
This
result
invites
discussion
into
role
trade-offs
might
have
taken
place
in
evolution
enzymes.
Our
transferable
can
help
investigate
preorganization
believe
study
engineering
direction
advance
both
fundamental
applied
enzymology
lead
new
powerful
biocatalysts.
Chemical Reviews,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Фев. 24, 2025
Electric
fields
generated
by
protein
scaffolds
are
crucial
in
enzymatic
catalysis.
This
review
surveys
theoretical
approaches
for
detecting,
analyzing,
and
comparing
electric
fields,
electrostatic
potentials,
their
effects
on
the
charge
density
within
enzyme
active
sites.
Pioneering
methods
like
empirical
valence
bond
approach
rely
evaluating
ionic
covalent
resonance
forms
influenced
field.
Strategies
employing
polarizable
force
also
facilitate
field
detection.
The
vibrational
Stark
effect
connects
computational
simulations
to
experimental
spectroscopy,
enabling
direct
comparisons.
We
highlight
how
dynamics
induce
fluctuations
local
influencing
activity.
Recent
techniques
assess
throughout
site
volume
rather
than
only
at
specific
bonds,
machine
learning
helps
relate
these
global
reactivity.
Quantum
theory
of
atoms
molecules
captures
entire
electron
landscape,
providing
a
chemically
intuitive
perspective
field-driven
Overall,
methodologies
show
protein-generated
highly
dynamic
heterogeneous,
understanding
both
aspects
is
critical
elucidating
mechanisms.
holistic
view
empowers
rational
engineering
tuning
promising
new
avenues
drug
design,
biocatalysis,
industrial
applications.
Future
directions
include
incorporating
as
explicit
design
targets
enhance
catalytic
performance
biochemical
functionalities.
Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Апрель 8, 2025
Electrostatic
preorganization
is
an
exciting
mode
to
understand
the
catalytic
function
of
enzymes,
yet
limited
tools
exist
computationally
analyze
it.
In
particular,
no
methods
interpret
geometry,
dynamics,
and
fundamental
components
3D
electric
fields,
E⃗(r),
in
protein
active
sites.
To
address
this,
we
present
PyCPET
(Python
Computation
Electric
Field
Topologies),
a
comprehensive,
open-source
toolbox
E⃗(r)
enzymes.
We
designed
it
around
computational
efficiency
user
friendliness
with
both
CPU-
GPU-accelerated
codes.
Our
aim
provide
set
functions
for
rich,
descriptive
analysis
enzyme
systems
including
benchmarking,
distribution
streamlines
computation
point
principal
component
analysis,
visualization.
Finally,
demonstrate
its
versatility
by
exploring
nature
electrostatic
dynamics
three
cases:
Cytochrome
C,
Co-substituted
Liver
Alcohol
Dehydrogenase,
HIV
Protease.
These
test
systems,
along
previous
work,
establish
as
essential
toolkit
in-depth
visualization
fields
unlocking
new
avenues
understanding
contributions
catalysis.
Molecular
dynamics
(MD)
simulations
are
frequently
carried
out
for
proteins
to
investigate
the
role
of
electrostatics
in
their
biological
function.
The
choice
force
field
(FF)
can
significantly
alter
MD
results
as
simulated
local
electrostatic
interactions
lack
benchmarking
absence
appropriate
experimental
methods.
We
recently
reported
that
transition
dipole
moment
(TDM)
popular
nitrile
vibrational
probe
varies
linearly
with
environmental
electric
field,
overcoming
well-known
hydrogen
bonding
(H-bonding)
issues
frequency
and,
thus,
enabling
unambiguous
measurement
fields
(J.
Am.
Chem.
Soc.
2022,
144
(17),
7562-7567).
Herein,
we
utilize
this
new
strategy
enable
comparisons
and
protein
environments.
Specifically,
previously
determined
TDM
exerted
onto
nitrile-containing
o-cyanophenylalanine
residues
photoactive
yellow
compared
from
fixed-charge
AMBER
FF
polarizable
AMOEBA
FF.
observe
distributions
H-bonding
nitriles
substantially
affected
by
As
such,
underestimates
experiencing
moderate
strengths;
contrast,
robustly
recapitulates
fields.
dependence
be
partly
explained
presence
additional
negative
charge
density
along
bond
axis
AMOEBA,
which
is
due
inclusion
higher-order
multipole
parameters;
turn
begets
more
head-on
H-bonds.
conclude
discussing
implications
simulation
general.
The Journal of Chemical Physics,
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
159(11)
Опубликована: Сен. 19, 2023
The
use
of
oriented
external
electric
fields
(OEEFs)
to
promote
and
control
chemical
reactivity
has
motivated
many
theoretical
computational
studies
in
the
last
decade
model
action
OEEFs
on
a
molecular
system
its
effects
processes.
Given
reaction,
central
goal
this
research
area
is
predict
optimal
OEEF
(oOEEF)
required
annihilate
reaction
energy
barrier
with
smallest
possible
field
strength.
Here,
we
present
rooted
catastrophe
optimum
theories
that
allows
us
find
oOEEF
for
given
valley
potential
surface
(PES).
In
model,
effective
(or
perturbed)
PES
polarizable
constructed
by
adding
original,
non-perturbed,
term
accounting
interaction
intrinsic
dipole
polarizability
system,
so
called
(PMED)
model.
We
demonstrate
can
be
established
locating
point
original
unique
topological
properties:
breakdown
or
bond-breaking
(oBBP).
essential
feature
oBBP
structure
fact
maintains
properties
all
applied
OEEFs,
also
unperturbed
PES,
thus
becoming
much
more
relevant
than
commonly
used
minima
transition
state
structures.
PMED
proposed
here
been
implemented
an
open
access
package
shown
successfully
two
processes:
isomerization
cumulene
derivative
Huisgen
cycloaddition
reaction.