title: A unification of the elastic network model and the Gaussian network model for optimal description of protein conformational motions and fluctuations.
abstract: Coarse-grained elastic models with a C(alpha)-only representation and harmonic interactions have been increasingly used to describe the conformational motions and flexibility of various proteins. In this work, we will unify two complementary elastic models--the elastic network model (ENM) and the Gaussian network model (GNM), in the framework of a generalized anisotropic network model (G-ANM) with a new anisotropy parameter, f(anm). The G-ANM is reduced to GNM at f(anm) = 1, and ENM at f(anm) = 0. By analyzing a list of protein crystal structure pairs using G-ANM, we have attained optimal descriptions of both the isotropic thermal fluctuations and the crystallographically observed conformational changes with a small f(anm) (f(anm) < or = 0.1) and a physically realistic cutoff distance, R(c) approximately 8 A. Thus, the G-ANM improves the performance of GNM and ENM while preserving their simplicity. The properly parameterized G-ANM will enable more accurate and realistic modeling of protein conformational motions and flexibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260-1500, USA. wjzheng@buffalo.edu
authors.forename: Wenjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009038:Motion; D016011:Normal Distribution; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018511:Systems Integration
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins