SAXS-Guided Metadynamics

J Chem Theory Comput. 2015 Jul 14;11(7):3491-8. doi: 10.1021/acs.jctc.5b00299.

Abstract

The small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) methodology enables structural characterization of biological macromolecules in solution. However, because SAXS provides low-dimensional information, several potential structural configurations can reproduce the experimental scattering profile, which severely complicates the structural refinement process. Here, we present a bias-exchange metadynamics refinement protocol that incorporates SAXS data as collective variables and therefore tags all possible configurations with their corresponding free energies, which allows identification of a unique structural solution. The method has been implemented in PLUMED and combined with the GROMACS simulation package, and as a proof of principle, we explore the Trp-cage protein folding landscape.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Protein Folding
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Scattering, Small Angle*
  • Thermodynamics*
  • X-Ray Diffraction*

Substances

  • Proteins