Characterization of the galectin-1 carbohydrate recognition domain in terms of solvent occupancy

J Phys Chem B. 2007 Jun 28;111(25):7360-6. doi: 10.1021/jp068989k. Epub 2007 May 25.

Abstract

Human galectin-1, a galactosil-terminal sugar binding soluble protein, is a potent multifunctional effector that participates in specific protein-carbohydrate and protein-protein interactions. Recent studies revealed that it plays a key role as a modulator of cellular differentiation and immunological response. In this work, we have investigated the solvation properties of the carbohydrate recognition domain of Gal-1 by means of molecular dynamics simulations. Water sites (ws) were identified in terms of radial and angular distribution functions, and properties such as water residence times, interaction energies, and free-energy contributions were evaluated for those sites. Our results allowed us to correlate the thermodynamic properties of the ws and their binding pattern with the N-acetilgalactoside ligand. These results let us further infer that the water molecules located at the ws, which exhibit much more favorable binding, are the ones replaced by -OH groups of the sugar.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemistry
  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Binding Sites
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism*
  • Carbohydrates / chemistry*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Dimerization
  • Galectin 1 / chemistry*
  • Galectin 1 / genetics
  • Galectin 1 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Ligands
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Solvents / chemistry*
  • Thermodynamics
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Carbohydrates
  • Galectin 1
  • Ligands
  • Solvents
  • Water