Fibril-Barrel Transitions in Cylindrin Amyloids

J Chem Theory Comput. 2017 Aug 8;13(8):3936-3944. doi: 10.1021/acs.jctc.7b00383. Epub 2017 Jul 17.

Abstract

We introduce Replica-Exchange-with-Tunneling (RET) simulations as a tool for studies of the conversion between polymorphic amyloids. For the 11-residue amyloid-forming cylindrin peptide we show that this technique allows for a more efficient sampling of the formation and interconversion between fibril-like and barrel-like assemblies. We describe a protocol for optimized analysis of RET simulations that allows us to propose a mechanism for formation and interconversion between various cylindrin assemblies. Especially, we show that an interchain salt bridge between residues K3 and D7 is crucial for formation of the barrel structure.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amyloid / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • alpha-Crystallin B Chain / chemistry*

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • alpha-Crystallin B Chain