In silico molecular docking analysis of the human Argonaute 2 PAZ domain reveals insights into RNA interference

J Comput Aided Mol Des. 2013 Jul;27(7):605-14. doi: 10.1007/s10822-013-9665-3. Epub 2013 Jul 23.

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is a critical cellular pathway activated by double stranded RNA and regulates the gene expression of target mRNA. During RNAi, the 3' end of siRNA binds with the PAZ domain, followed by release and rebinding in a cyclic manner, which deemed essential for proper gene silencing. Recently, we provided the forces underlying the recognition of small interfering RNA by PAZ in a computational study based on the structure of Drosophila Argonaute 2 (Ago2) PAZ domain. We have now reanalyzed these data within the view of the new available structures from human Argonauts. While the parameters of weak binding are correlated with higher (RNAi) in the Drosophila model, a different profile is predicted with the human Ago2 PAZ domain. On the basis of the human Ago2 PAZ models, the indicators of stronger binding as the total binding energy and the free energy were associated with better RNAi efficacy. This discrepancy might be attributable to differences in the binding site topology and the difference in the conformation of the bound nucleotides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Argonaute Proteins / chemistry*
  • Argonaute Proteins / metabolism
  • Binding Sites
  • Computer Simulation
  • Gene Silencing
  • Humans
  • Molecular Docking Simulation*
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA, Small Interfering / chemistry

Substances

  • Argonaute Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering