Electrostatic Switch Function in the Mechanism of Protein Kinase A I α Activation: Results of the Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Biomed Res Int. 2017:2017:5846073. doi: 10.1155/2017/5846073. Epub 2017 Mar 7.

Abstract

We used molecular dynamics to find the average path of the A-domain H → B conformational transition in protein kinase A Iα. We obtained thirteen productive trajectories and processed them sequentially using factor and cross-correlation analyses. The conformational transition is presented as partly deterministic sequence of six events. Event B represents H → B transition of the phosphate binding cassette. Main participants of this event form electrostatic switch cAMP(O6)-A202(N-H)-G199(C=O). Through this switch, cAMP transmits information about its binding to hydrophobic switch L203-Y229 and thus triggers conformational transition of A-domain. Events C and D consist in N3A-motif displacement towards phosphate binding cassette and B/C-helix rotation. Event E involves an increase in interaction energy between Y229 and β-subdomain. Taken together, events B, E, and D correspond to the hinge movement towards β-barrel. Transition of B/C-helix turn (a.a. 229-234) from α-form to π-form accounts for event F. Event G implies that π-helical turn is replaced by kink. Emerging in the resulting conformation, electrostatic interaction R241-E200 facilitates kink formation. The obtained data on the mechanism of cAMP-dependent activation of PKA Iα may contribute to new approaches to designing pharmaceuticals based on cAMP analogs.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Cyclic AMP / chemistry*
  • Cyclic AMP / therapeutic use
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / chemistry*
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Protein Conformation / drug effects
  • Protein Domains
  • Static Electricity

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases