Protein modeling with reduced representation: statistical potentials and protein folding mechanism

Acta Biochim Pol. 2005;52(4):741-8. Epub 2005 May 31.

Abstract

A high resolution reduced model of proteins is used in Monte Carlo dynamics studies of the folding mechanism of a small globular protein, the B1 immunoglobulin-binding domain of streptococcal protein G. It is shown that in order to reproduce the physics of the folding transition, the united atom based model requires a set of knowledge-based potentials mimicking the short-range conformational propensities and protein-like chain stiffness, a model of directional and cooperative hydrogen bonds, and properly designed knowledge-based potentials of the long-range interactions between the side groups. The folding of the model protein is cooperative and very fast. In a single trajectory, a number of folding/unfolding cycles were observed. Typically, the folding process is initiated by assembly of a native-like structure of the C-terminal hairpin. In the next stage the rest of the four-ribbon beta-sheet folds. The slowest step of this pathway is the assembly of the central helix on the scaffold of the beta-sheet.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • Computer Simulation
  • Models, Molecular
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Folding*
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Proteins