Mechanisms of intramolecular communication in a hyperthermophilic acylaminoacyl peptidase: a molecular dynamics investigation

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Elena Papaleo
  • Giulia Renzetti
  • Matteo Tiberti
Protein dynamics and the underlying networks of intramolecular interactions and communicating residues within the three-dimensional (3D) structure are known to influence protein function and stability, as well as to modulate conformational changes and allostery. Acylaminoacyl peptidase (AAP) subfamily of enzymes belongs to a unique class of serine proteases, the prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) family, which has not been thoroughly investigated yet. POPs have a characteristic multidomain three-dimensional architecture with the active site at the interface of the C-terminal catalytic domain and a β-propeller domain, whose N-terminal region acts as a bridge to the hydrolase domain. In the present contribution, protein dynamics signatures of a hyperthermophilic acylaminoacyl peptidase (AAP) of the prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) family, as well as of a deletion variant and alanine mutants (I12A, V13A, V16A, L19A, I20A) are reported. In particular, we aimed at identifying crucial residues for long range communications to the catalytic site or promoting the conformational changes to switch from closed to open ApAAP conformations. Our investigation shows that the N-terminal α1-helix mediates structural intramolecular communication to the catalytic site, concurring to the maintenance of a proper functional architecture of the catalytic triad. Main determinants of the effects induced by α1-helix are a subset of hydrophobic residues (V16, L19 and I20). Moreover, a subset of residues characterized by relevant interaction networks or coupled motions have been identified, which are likely to modulate the conformational properties at the interdomain interface.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere35686
JournalPLOS ONE
Volume7
Issue number4
Number of pages17
ISSN1932-6203
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Amino Acid Sequence, Archaeal Proteins, Biocatalysis, Catalytic Domain, Crystallography, X-Ray, Hot Temperature, Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, Molecular Sequence Data, Mutation, Peptide Hydrolases, Protein Structure, Secondary, Protein Structure, Tertiary

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