Insight from atomistic molecular dynamics simulations into the supramolecular assembly of the aldo-keto reductase from Trypanosoma cruzi.

Autor: Trujillo P; Department of Physics, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.; CONICET-University of Buenos Aires, Physics Institute of Buenos Aires (IFIBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina., Garavaglia P; National Institute of Parasitology 'Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben' ANLIS 'Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán', Buenos Aires, Argentina., Alvarez G; School of Science and Technology, National University of San Martín (UNSAM), ICIFI, CONICET, San Martín, Argentina., Aduviri S; Department of Physics, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.; CONICET-University of Buenos Aires, Physics Institute of Buenos Aires (IFIBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina., Domene C; Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, 1 South Bldg, Claverton Down, Bath, BA27AY, UK., Cannata J; Institute for Biotechnological Research (IIB-INTECH) 'Dr. Rodolfo A. Ugalde', National University of General San Martín-CONICET, San Martín, Argentina., Asciutto EK; School of Science and Technology, National University of San Martín (UNSAM), ICIFI, CONICET, San Martín, Argentina., García GA; National Institute of Parasitology 'Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben' ANLIS 'Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán', Buenos Aires, Argentina., Pickholz M; Department of Physics, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. monicapickholz2@gmail.com.; CONICET-University of Buenos Aires, Physics Institute of Buenos Aires (IFIBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina. monicapickholz2@gmail.com.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of molecular modeling [J Mol Model] 2024 Sep 24; Vol. 30 (10), pp. 346. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Sep 24.
DOI: 10.1007/s00894-024-06153-2
Abstrakt: Context: Currently, Chagas disease represents an important public health problem affecting more than 8 million people worldwide. The vector of this disease is the Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc) parasite. Our research specifically focuses on the structure and aggregation states of the enzyme aldo-keto reductase of Tc (TcAKR) reported in this parasite. TcAKR belongs to the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily, enzymes that catalyze redox reactions involved in crucial biological processes. While most AKRs are found in monomeric forms, some have been reported to form dimeric and tetrameric structures. This is the case for some TcAKR. To better understand how TcAKR multimers form and remain stable, we conducted a comprehensive computational analysis using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Our approach to elucidating the aggregation states of TcAKR involved two strategies. Initially, we explored the dynamic behaviour of pre-assembled TcAKR dimers. Subsequently, we examined the self-aggregation of eight monomers. This investigation led to the identification of crucial residues that contribute to the stabilization of protein-protein interactions. It was also found that TcAKRs can form stable supramolecular assemblies, with each monomer typically surrounded by three first neighbours. These findings align with experimental reports of tetrameric or more complex supramolecular structures. Our computational studies could guide further experimental investigations aiming at drug development and assist in designing strategies to modulate aggregation.
Method: Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were carried out. The TcAKR 3D model structure was obtained by homology modelling using the Swiss Model for the TcAKR sequence (GenBank accession no. EU558869). Further, we checked the model with Alphafold2 and found a high degree of similarity between models. Several tools were used to build the dimers including CLUSPRO, GRAMM-Docking, Hdock, and Py-dock. Protein superstructures were built using the PACKMOL package. CHARMM-GUI was used to set up the simulation systems. GROMACS version 2020.5 was used to perform the simulations with the CHARMM36 force field for the protein and ions and the TIP3P model for water. Further analyses were performed using VMD, GROMACS, AMBER tools, MDLovoFit, bio3d, and in-house programs.
(© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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