How alkali metal ion binding alters the conformation preferences of gramicidin A: a molecular dynamics and ion mobility study

J Phys Chem A. 2012 Jan 12;116(1):689-96. doi: 10.1021/jp209430q. Epub 2011 Dec 15.

Abstract

Here, we present a systematic study combing electrospray ionization-ion mobility experiments and an enhanced sampling molecular dynamics, specifically integrated tempering sampling molecular dynamics simulations (ITS-MDS), to explore the conformations of alkali metal ion (Na, K, and Cs) adducts of gramicidin A (GA) in vacuo. Folding simulation is performed to obtain inherent conformational preferences of neutral GA to provide insights about how the binding of metal ions influences the intrinsic conformations of GA. The comparison between conformations of neutral GA and alkali metal ion adducts reveals a high degree of structural similarity, especially between neutral GA and [GA + Na](+); however, the structural similarities decrease as ionic radius of the metal increases. Collision cross section (CCS) profiles for [GA + Na](+) and [GA + Cs](+) ions obtained from by ITS-MDS compare favorably with the experimental CCS, but there are significant differences from CCS profiles for [GA + K](+) ions. Such discrepancies between the calculated and measured CCS profiles for [GA + K](+) are discussed in terms of limitations in the simulation force field as well as possible size-dependent coordination of the [GA + K](+) ion complex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cations, Monovalent
  • Gramicidin / chemistry*
  • Metals, Alkali / chemistry*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Quantum Theory
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods*
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Cations, Monovalent
  • Metals, Alkali
  • Gramicidin