title: Computer modeling of polyleucine-based coiled coil dimers in a realistic membrane environment: insight into helix-helix interactions in membrane proteins.
abstract: Simulated annealing was performed to model parallel dimers of alpha-helical transmembrane peptides with the sequence L(11)XL(12), predicting left-handed coiled coil geometry in all cases. Insertion of peptides containing threonine, asparagine, alanine, phenylalanine, and leucine in position 12 into realistic model membranes showed these structures were stable for 20 ns of molecular dynamics simulation time. Threonine could participate in intermolecular hydrogen bonds, but predominantly formed hydrogen bonds to the backbone of the helix it resided on. These hydrogen bonds, although infrequent, appeared to promote closer association of polyleucine helices. Asparagine participated in multiple, rapidly fluctuating intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and may have slightly destabilized optimum van der Waals packing in favor of optimum hydrogen bonding. Coordinated rotations of transmembrane helices about their axes were observed, indicating helices may rotate around one another during the folding of membrane proteins or other processes. These rotations were inhibited by phenylalanine, suggesting a role for bulky residues in modulating membrane protein dynamics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
authors.forename: Walter L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Ash
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stockner
authors.forename: Justin L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: MacCallum
authors.forename: D Peter
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Tieleman
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids; D003198:Computer Simulation; D019281:Dimerization; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D017510:Protein Folding; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010455:Peptides; C027819:polyleucine