Biomedical subjects

A D MacKerell

Publications and source records attributed to A D MacKerell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Re-examination of the intrinsic, dynamic and hydration properties of phosphoramidate DNA.

Intrinsic energetic and solvation factors contributing to the unusual structural and biochemical properties of N3'-phosphoramidate DNA analogs have been re-examined using a combination of quantum mechanical and molecular dynamics methods. Evaluation of the impact of the N3'-H substitution was performed via comparison of N3'-phosphoramidate DNA starting from both A- and B-form structures, B-form DNA and A-form RNA. The N3'-H group is shown to be flexible, undergoing reversible inversion transitions associated with motion of the hydrogen atom attached to the N3' atom. The inversion process is correlated with both sugar pucker characteristics as well as other local backbone torsional dynamics, yielding increased dihedral flexibility over DNA. Solvation of N3'-phosphoramidate DNA is shown to be similar to RNA, consistent with thermodynamic data on the two species. A previously unobserved intrinsic conformational perturbation caused by the N5'-phosphoramidate substitution is identified and suggested to be linked to the differences in the properties of N3'- and N5'-phosphoramidate oligonucleotide analogs.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed2001

Reevaluation of stereoelectronic contributions to the conformational properties of the phosphodiester and N3'-phosphoramidate moieties of nucleic acids.

The anomeric effect in the phosphodiester backbone of nucleic acids is a stereoelectronic effect that has conventionally been linked to interactions between lone pairs on the O(ester) atoms and P-O(ester) antibonding orbitals. The present study demonstrates that the anomeric effect in the phosphodiester backbone is significantly more complex than portrayed by this description. The presence of multiple lone pairs and antibonding orbitals around the phosphorus atom leads to additional contributions to the anomeric effect, especially involving the anionic oxygen lone pairs. On the basis of the structural changes and Natural Bond Orbital analysis it is shown that a complex balance between stereoelectronic effects involving both the ester and anionic oxygen lone pairs governs the conformational properties of the phosphodiester backbone. The N3'-phosphoramidate DNA backbone differs from the phosphodiester backbone due to the N3'-H moiety having only a single lone pair instead of the two lone pairs present on the O3' atom substituted. The present study uses N3'-phosphoramidate as a control to understand the changes in stereoelectronic effects as a result of changes in the structure and conformation. Two previously uncharacterized properties of the N3'-phosphoramidate backbone are also observed and explained through the complex balance of the postulated electronic delocalizations. The first observation is that the N3'-H moiety in N3'-phosphoramidate is a flexible moiety that can change the orientation of its hydrogen through inversion without a significant energetic penalty in both the gas phase and the aqueous phase. The second observation is that the stabilization of the C3'-endo conformation in N3'-phosphoramidate is primarily due to aqueous solvation rather than intrinsic gas-phase effects involving the reduced electronegativity of the 3'-substituent.

Amides↗

PubMed2000

New insights into the structure of abasic DNA from molecular dynamics simulations.

Abasic (AP) sites constitute a common form of DNA damage, arising from the spontaneous or enzymatic breakage of the N-glycosyl bond and the loss of a nucleotide base. To examine the effects of such damage on DNA structure, especially in the vicinity of the abasic sugar, four 1.5 ns molecular dynamics simulations of double-helical DNA dodecamers with and without a single abasic (tetrahydrofuran, X) lesion in a 5'-d(CXT) context have been performed and analyzed. The results indicate that the abasic site does not maintain a hole or gap in the DNA, but instead perturbs the canonical structure and induces additional flexibility close to the abasic site. In the apurinic simulations (i.e., when a pyrimidine is opposite the AP site), the abasic sugar flipped in and out of the minor groove, and the gap was water filled, except during the occurrence of a novel non-Watson-Crick C-T base pair across the abasic site. The apyrimidinic gap was not penetrated by water until the abasic sugar flipped out and remained extrahelical. Both AP helices showed kinks of 20-30 degrees at the abasic site. The Watson-Crick hydrogen bonds are more transient throughout the DNA double helices containing an abasic site. The abasic sugar displayed an unusually broad range of sugar puckers centered around the northern pucker. The increased motion of the bases and backbone near the abasic site appear to correlate with sequence-dependent helical stability. The data indicate that abasic DNA contorts more easily and in specific ways relative to unmodified DNA, an aspect likely to be important in abasic site recognition and hydrolysis.

Apurinic Acid↗

PubMed2000

Identification of HIV-1 integrase inhibitors via three-dimensional database searching using ASV and HIV-1 integrases as targets.

Integration of viral DNA into the host cell genome is a critical step in the life cycle of HIV. This essential reaction is catalyzed by integrase (IN) through two steps, 3'-processing and DNA strand transfer. Integrase is an attractive target for drug design because there is no known cellular analogue and integration is essential for successful replication of HIV. A computational three-dimensional (3-D) database search was used to identify novel HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. Starting from the previously identified Y3 (4-acetylamino-5-hydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid) binding site on the avian sarcoma virus integrase (ASV IN), a preliminary search of all compounds in the nonproprietary, open part of the National Cancer Institute 3-D database yielded a collection of 3100 compounds. A more rigorous scoring method was used to rescreen the 3100 compounds against both ASV IN and HIV-1 IN. Twenty-two of those compounds were selected for inhibition assays against HIV-1 IN. Thirteen of the 22 showed inhibitory activity against HIV-1 IN at concentrations less than 200 microM and three of them showed antiviral activities in HIV-1 infected CEM cells with effective concentrations (EC50) ranging from 0.8 to 200 microM. Analysis of the computer-generated binding modes of the active compounds to HIV-1 IN showed that simultaneous interaction with the Y3 site and the catalytic site is possible. In addition, interactions between the active compounds and the flexible loop involved in the binding of DNA by IN are indicated to occur. The structural details and the unique binding motif between the HIV-1 IN and its inhibitors identified in the present work may contribute to the future development of IN inhibitors.

Avian Sarcoma Viruses↗

PubMed1999

Structure, force, and energy of a double-stranded DNA oligonucleotide under tensile loads.

The end-to-end stretching of a duplex DNA oligonucleotide has been studied using potential of mean force (PMF) calculations based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments. Near quantitative agreement between the calculations and experiments was obtained for both the extension length and forces associated with strand separation. The PMF calculations show that the oligonucleotide extends without a significant energetic barrier from a length shorter than A-DNA to a length 2.4 times the contour length of B-DNA at which the barrier to strand separation is encountered. Calculated forces associated with the barrier are 0.09 +/- 0.03 nN, based on assumptions concerning tip and thermal-activated barrier crossing contributions to the forces. Direct AFM measurements show the oligonucleotide strands separating at 2.6 +/- 0.8 contour lengths with a force of 0.13 +/- 0.05 nN. Analysis of the energies from the MD simulations during extension reveals compensation between increases in the DNA-self energy and decreases in the DNA-solvent interaction energy, allowing for the barrierless extension of DNA beyond the canonical B form. The barrier to strand separation occurs when unfavorable DNA interstrand repulsion cannot be compensated for by favorable DNA-solvent interactions. The present combination of single molecule theoretical and experimental approaches produces a comprehensive picture of the free energy surface of biological macromolecular structural transitions.

DNA↗

PubMed1999

Intrinsic conformational properties of deoxyribonucleosides: implicated role for cytosine in the equilibrium among the A, B, and Z forms of DNA.

Structural properties of biomolecules are dictated by their intrinsic conformational energetics in combination with environmental contributions. Calculations using high-level ab initio methods on the deoxyribonucleosides have been performed to investigate the influence of base on the intrinsic conformational energetics of nucleosides. Energy minima in the north and south ranges of the deoxyribose pseudorotation surfaces have been located, allowing characterization of the influence of base on the structures and energy differences between those minima. With all bases, chi values associated with the south energy minimum are lower than in canonical B-DNA, while chi values associated with the north energy minimum are close to those in canonical A-DNA. In deoxycytidine, chi adopts an A-DNA conformation in both the north and south energy minima. Energy differences between the A and B conformations of the nucleosides are <0.5 kcal/mol in the present calculations, except with deoxycytidine, where the A form is favored by 2.3 kcal/mol, leading the intrinsic conformational energetics of GC basepairs to favor the A form of DNA by 1.5 kcal/mol as compared with AT pairs. This indicates that the intrinsic conformational properties of cytosine at the nucleoside level contribute to the A form of DNA containing predominately GC-rich sequences. In the context of a B versus Z DNA equilibrium, deoxycytidine favors the Z form over the B form by 1.6 kcal/mol as compared with deoxythymidine, suggesting that the intrinsic conformational properties of cytosine also contribute to GC-rich sequences occurring in Z DNA with a higher frequency than AT-rich sequences. Results show that the east pseudorotation energy barrier involves a decrease in the furanose amplitude and is systematically lower than the inversion barrier, with the energy differences influenced by the base. Energy barriers going from the south (B form) sugar pucker to the east pseudorotation barrier are lower in pyrimidines as compared with purines, indicating that the intrinsic conformational properties associated with base may also influence the sugar pseudorotational population distribution seen in DNA crystal structures and the kinetics of B to A transitions. The present work provides evidence that base composition, in addition to base sequence, can influence DNA conformation.

Base Composition↗

PubMed1999

TIT for TAT: the properties of inosine and adenosine in TATA box DNA.

The sequence dependent conformation, flexibility and hydration properties of DNA molecules constitute selectivity determinants in the formation of protein-DNA complexes. TATA boxes in which AT basepairs (bp) have been substituted by IC bp (TITI box) allow for probing these selectivity determinants for the complexation with the TATA box-binding protein (TBP) with different sequences but identical chemical surfaces. The reference promoter Adenovirus 2 Major Late Promoter (mlp) is formed by the apposition of two sequences with very different dynamic properties: an alternating TATA sequence and an A-tract. For a comparative study, we carried out molecular dynamics simulations of two DNA oligomers, one containing the mlp sequence (2 ns), and the other an analog where AT basepairs were substituted by IC basepairs (1 ns). The simulations, carried out with explicit solvent and counterinons, yield straight purine tracts, the A-tract being stiffer than the I-tract, an alternating structure for the YRYR tracts, and hydration patterns that differ between the purine tracts and the alternating sequence tracts. A detailed analysis of the proposed interactions responsible for the stiffness of the purine tracts indicates that the stacking between the bases bears the strongest correlation to stiffness. The hydration properties of the minor groove in the two oligomers are distinctly different. Such differences are likely to be responsible for the stronger binding of TBP to mlp over the inosine-substituted variant. The calculations were made possible by the development, described here, of a new set of forcefield parameters for inosine that complement the published CHARMM all-hydrogen nucleic acid parametrization.

Adenosine↗

PubMed1998

(-)-3 beta-Substituted ecgonine methyl esters as inhibitors for cocaine binding and dopamine uptake.

Ten 3 beta-ecgonine analogues were synthesized and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. The compounds were synthesized as (-)-stereoisomers from (-)-cocaine. These compounds were assessed for their ability to inhibit [3H]cocaine binding to rat striatal tissue and to inhibit [3H]DA uptake into rat striatal synaptosomes. In this series of compounds, the length of the spacer between the aryl group and the tropane skeleton ranged from 1 to 4 bond distances, and conformational flexibility of the linkage and orientation of the aryl ring system were controlled by various types of linkages. The most potent of the analogues was methyl-(1R-2-exo-3-exo)-8-methyl-3-(beta-styrenyl)-8-azabicyclo[3. 2.1] octane-2-carboxylate. One of the less potent compounds was found to inhibit [3H]cocaine binding and [3H]DA uptake with significantly different IC50 values, in contrast to 14 other 3 beta-substituted analogues. Molecular modeling and CoMFA analysis were used to obtain a rigorous structure-function relationship for the studied compounds. The results showed that the potencies of these 3 beta-substituted ecgonine methyl esters were dominated by steric effects and were acutely sensitive to the distance between the aryl ring and the tropane skeleton and to the orientation of the aryl ring system relative to the tropane skeleton. The current study provides a clearer picture of the shape and size of the putative hydrophobic binding pocket for the 3 beta substituent at the cocaine receptor as well as emphasizing the importance of a drug's free energy of solvation in obtaining structure-activity relationships.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Comparative molecular field analysis-based predictive model of structure-function relationships of polyamine transport inhibitors in L1210 cells.

Maintenance of intracellular polyamine concentrations necessary for cell growth and proliferation is regulated in part by an energy-dependent polyamine uptake system. To obtain information on the characteristics of the polyamine uptake system in L1210 leukemia cells, we have applied computational chemistry techniques to the study of relationships between structure and function of 57 polyamine analogues. Ki values of polyamine analogues, derived from competitive inhibition of [3H]spermidine transport into L1210 cells, were chosen as the measure of biological activity. Using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), a model was constructed to relate molecular structure with biological activity. The model was based on 4 monocationic, 8 dicationic, 14 tricationic, and 20 tetracationic polyamine analogues with a range of Ki values for the inhibition of [3H]spermidine uptake of 0.97-521 microM. The CoMFA model successfully predicted the inhibitory potency of 11 polyamines that had not previously been tested for polyamine uptake inhibitory activity. The 11 values predicted were within 33 +/- 62% of the actual Ki values. The test group included aziridinyl diamines, acetylated spermidines, two new oxazolidinonyl spermidines, monoaziridinyl spermidines, and a diaziridinyl spermine. Several of the compounds from this test group have been shown to have anticancer activity in mice. Consistent with the CoMFA model, certain basic functional groups, such as aziridines that have pKa values in the range of 6-7, seem to interact with the polyamine transporter in a cationic form. The results suggest that the CoMFA model is useful in drug design strategies as a predictive tool for the discovery of new anticancer agents that utilize a polyamine transporter for cellular uptake.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Molecular dynamics simulation of unsaturated lipid bilayers at low hydration: parameterization and comparison with diffraction studies.

A potential energy function for unsaturated hydrocarbons is proposed and is shown to agree well with experiment, using molecular dynamics simulations of a water/octene interface and a dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) bilayer. The simulation results verify most of the assumptions used in interpreting the DOPC experiments, but suggest a few that should be reconsidered. Comparisons with recent results of a simulation of a dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lipid bilayer show that disorder is comparable, even though the temperature, hydration level, and surface area/lipid for DOPC are lower. These observations highlight the dramatic effects of unsaturation on bilayer structure.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

PubMed1996

Progress toward chemical accuracy in the computer simulation of condensed phase reactions.

We describe a procedure for the generation of chemically accurate computer-simulation models to study chemical reactions in the condensed phase. The process involves (i) the use of a coupled semiempirical quantum and classical molecular mechanics method to represent solutes and solvent, respectively; (ii) the optimization of semiempirical quantum mechanics (QM) parameters to produce a computationally efficient and chemically accurate QM model; (iii) the calibration of a quantum/classical microsolvation model using ab initio quantum theory; and (iv) the use of statistical mechanical principles and methods to simulate, on massively parallel computers, the thermodynamic properties of chemical reactions in aqueous solution. The utility of this process is demonstrated by the calculation of the enthalpy of reaction in vacuum and free energy change in aqueous solution for a proton transfer involving methanol, methoxide, imidazole, and imidazolium, which are functional groups involved with proton transfers in many biochemical systems. An optimized semiempirical QM model is produced, which results in the calculation of heats of formation of the above chemical species to within 1.0 kcal/mol (1 kcal = 4.18 kJ) of experimental values. The use of the calibrated QM and microsolvation QM/MM (molecular mechanics) models for the simulation of a proton transfer in aqueous solution gives a calculated free energy that is within 1.0 kcal/mol (12.2 calculated vs. 12.8 experimental) of a value estimated from experimental pKa values of the reacting species.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

pH dependence of binding reactions from free energy simulations and macroscopic continuum electrostatic calculations: application to 2'GMP/3'GMP binding to ribonuclease T1 and implications for catalysis.

An approach is described for extending free energy calculations to take into account the pH dependence of the relative binding of ligands to an enzyme or other receptor protein. The method is based on the calculation of the free energy difference for a single protonation state via the thermodynamic cycle simulation approach followed by inclusion of all possible protonation states of the enzyme and the inhibitor by use of a macroscopic continuum dielectric (Poisson-Boltzmann) model. A detailed formulation of the combined model is presented. It involves solution of the multiple equilibrium problem and makes use of the calculated pKa values of all titrating groups on both enzyme and ligand. The method is illustrated by calculations of the pH dependence of the differential binding of the inhibitors 2'GMP and 3'GMP to ribonuclease T1. A free energy simulation of the differential binding is made for a given protonation state of the enzyme and inhibitor. Although only qualitative agreement with experiment is obtained, the results provide insights concerning the interactions involved. The pH dependence of the binding is calculated by using the protonation state of the residues from the free energy simulation as the standard state for a Poisson-Boltzmann calculation. Information is obtained concerning the pKa values of the titrating amino acids in the free, 2'GMP and 3'GMP bound enzyme forms of RNase T1 and the difference in the pH dependence of the binding of 2'GMP and 3'GMP to RNase T1. The contributions of different types of interactions (e.g. protein residues versus solvent) to the free energy differences are examined. A free energy simulation of the pKa shift of Glu58 shows that it is important to consider both carboxyl oxygen atoms as possible protonation sites since they may behave very differently in a protein. It is found in the protein that the interactions with the solvent favor the neutral (protonated) state of Glu58. This contrasts sharply with the solution behavior, where the solvent favors the charged state. Analysis of the results shows that the interactions of bound water with other protein residues leads to the observed effect. Comparisons are made with a continuum calculation that uses the charged state employed in the free energy simulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Catalysis↗

PubMed1991

Thermodynamic analysis of the equilibrium, association and dissociation of 2'GMP and 3'GMP with ribonuclease T1 at pH 5.3.

Fluorescence titrations and temperature-jump relaxation experiments were performed as a function of temperature on ribonuclease T1 with the inhibitors 2'GMP and 3'GMP to obtain information on the energetics and molecular events controlling the binding of those inhibitors. Results from the titration and temperature-jump experiments were in agreement concerning the equilibrium constant. The larger equilibrium constant for 2'GMP is enthalpic in origin and is due to both a higher on rate and a lower off rate as compared to 3'GMP. On rates for both inhibitors appear to be below the diffusion controlled limit, apparently due to conformational changes in the portion of the active site responsible for recognition of the guanine base. Comparison of the measured enthalpic and entropic terms associated with the equilibrium constant determined from the fluorescence titrations are in disagreement with those calculated from the on and off rates indicating the presence of an induced conformational change in the 2'GMP-enzyme complex. This second conformational change appears to be due to additional interactions between 2'GMP and the catalytic portion of the active site, which may also be responsible for the differences in the binding constant, the on rate and the off rate between 2'GMP and 3'GMP.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1991

Molecular modeling and dynamics of biologically active peptides: application to neuropeptide Y.

A methodology is presented to allow results from molecular dynamics simulations to be combined with pharmacological binding and activity measurements in order to study the structure-function relationships of neuropeptide Y. This approach is a general one and should also be applicable to other peptides for which stable structures are known to exist in solution. The basis of the method is the calculation of energetically stable structures via a simulate and test approach. This approach uses molecular dynamics simulations to search conformational space in order to find low potential energy structures. The energetic stability of the structures is then tested via additional simulations. Once energetic stability has been achieved, perturbations of the structure may be performed via molecular modeling. The simulate and test approach is then used to obtain energetically stable structures for the perturbed compound. Comparison between the energetically stable starting and perturbed structures can then be made concerning both structural and dynamic changes. By using an energetically stable structure prior to the perturbation, the assumption can be made that the calculated differences are primarily due to the perturbation rather than to one or both of the structures reaching a more energetically favorable state. It should be emphasized that the calculations are being performed employing a limited physical model such that the influence of that model on the observed results must always be taken into account.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Correlation of loss of activity of human aldehyde dehydrogenase with reaction of bromoacetophenone with glutamic acid-268 and cysteine-302 residues. Partial-sites reactivity of aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Bromoacetophenone (2-bromo-1-phenylethanone) has been characterized as an affinity reagent for human aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3) [MacKerell, MacWright & Pietruszko (1986) Biochemistry 25, 5182-5189], and has been shown to react specifically with the Glu-268 residue [Abriola, Fields, Stein, MacKerell & Pietruszko (1987) Biochemistry 26, 5679-5684] with an apparent inactivation stoichiometry of two molecules of bromoacetophenone per molecule of enzyme. The specificity of bromoacetophenone for reaction with Glu-268, however, is not absolute, owing to the extreme reactivity of this reagent. When bromo[14C]acetophenone was used to label the human cytoplasmic E1 isoenzyme radioactively and tryptic fragmentation was carried out, peptides besides that containing Glu-268 were found to have reacted with reagent. These peptides were purified by h.p.l.c. and analysed by sequencing and scintillation counting to quantify radioactive label in the material from each cycle of sequencing. Reaction of bromoacetophenone with the aldehyde dehydrogenase molecule during enzyme activity loss occurs with two residues, Glu-268 and Cys-302. The activity loss, however, appears to be proportional to incorporation of label at Glu-268. The large part of incorporation of label at Cys-302 occurs after the activity loss is essentially complete. With both Glu-268 and Cys-302, however, the incorporation of label stops after one molecule of bromoacetophenone has reacted with each residue. Reaction with other residues continues after activity loss is complete.

Acetophenones↗

PubMed1989

Molecular dynamics simulations of ribonuclease T1: comparison of the free enzyme and the 2' GMP-enzyme complex.

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed on free RNase T1 and the 2'GMP-RNase T1 complex in vacuum and with water in the active site along with crystallographically identified waters, allowing analysis of both active site and overall structural and dynamics changes due to the presence of 2'GMP. Differences in the active site include a closing in the presence of 2'GMP, which is accompanied by a decrease in mobility of active site residues. The functional relevance of the active site fluctuations is discussed. 2'GMP alters the motion of Tyr-45, suggesting a role for that residue in providing a hydrophobic environment for the protein-nucleic acid interactions responsible for the specificity of RNase T1. The presence of 2'GMP causes a structural change of the C-terminus of the alpha-helix, indicating the transmission of structural changes from the active site through the protein matrix. Overall fluctuations of both the free and 2'GMP enzyme forms are in good agreement with X-ray temperature factors. The motion of Trp-59 is influenced by 2'GMP, indicating differences in enzyme dynamics away from the active site, with the calculated changes following those previously seen in time-resolved fluorescence experiments.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1989

Inactivation of lactate dehydrogenase by UV radiation in the 300 nm wavelength region.

The effect of UV radiation on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was investigated. LDH from bovine heart was exposed to 3.6-18 kJ/m2 of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the 300 nm wavelength region. The activity of LDH was observed to decrease as a function of the dosage of UV radiation. The inactivation of LDH was independent of exposure rate at constant dosage of UV radiation. The decrease of LDH activity caused by UV 300 nm radiation was coupled to a decrease of the maximal velocity (Vmax) while the Michaelis constant (Km) remained unchanged. The absorption spectrum of the LDH changed during exposure to UV radiation suggesting an alteration of tryptophan in the LDH molecule.

Kinetics↗

PubMed1988

Molecular dynamics simulations of ribonuclease T1: analysis of the effect of solvent on the structure, fluctuations, and active site of the free enzyme.

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed on ribonuclease T1 (RNase T1; EC 3.1.27.3) to determine a structure for the free enzyme. Simulations starting with the X-ray coordinates for the 2'GMP-RNase T1 complex were done in vacuo and with an 18-A water ball around the active site using stochastic boundary conditions to understand the influence of water on both the structure and fluctuations of the enzyme. Removal of 2'GMP caused structural changes in the loop regions, including those directly interacting with the bound inhibitor in the crystal structure, while regions of secondary structure were less affected. The presence of solvent in the simulation damped the structural changes observed, which may be related to the use of full charges in both simulations. Fluctuations were also affected by the water, which generally increased both at the surface and in the interior of the protein. The active site in vacuo collapsed upon itself, forming a number of protein-protein hydrogen bonds leading to larger structural changes and lowered fluctuations while the presence of water kept the active site open, minimized structural changes, and increased fluctuations. Such fluctuations in the active site may be important for the binding of inhibitors or substrates to the enzyme. Lastly, results from the water simulation allow the prediction of a motion for a hypothetical tryptophan at position 45, which can ultimately be tested experimentally via time-resolved fluorescence using a site-specific mutant of the enzyme.

Aspergillus oryzae↗