Self-assembly of an aspartate-rich sequence from the adenovirus fiber shaft: insights from molecular dynamics simulations and experiments.
The self-assembly of short peptides into fibrous nanostructures (such as fibrils and tubes) has recently become the subject of intense theoretical and experimental scrutiny, as such assemblies are promising candidates for nanobiotechnological applications. The sequences of natural fibrous proteins may provide a rich source of inspiration for the design of such short self-assembling peptides. We describe the self-assembly of the aspartate-rich undecapeptide (NH3(+)-LSGSDSDTLTV-NH2), a sequence derived from the shaft of the adenovirus fiber. We demonstrate that the peptide assembles experimentally into amyloid-type fibrils according to widely accepted diagnostic criteria. In addition, we investigate an aqueous solution of undecapeptides by molecular dynamics simulations with an implicit (GB) solvent model. The peptides are frequently arranged in intermolecular β-sheets, in line with their amyloidogenic propensity. On the basis of both experimental and theoretical insights, we suggest possible structural models of the fibrils and their potential use as scaffolds for templating of inorganic materials.
Department of Physics, University of Cyprus , 75 Kallipoleos Street, CY1678 Nicosia, Cyprus.
Phanourios
P
Tamamis
Konstantina
K
Terzaki
Michalis
M
Kassinopoulos
Lefteris
L
Mastrogiannis
Estelle
E
Mossou
V Trevor
VT
Forsyth
Edward P
EP
Mitchell
Anna
A
Mitraki
Georgios
G
Archontis
D000682:Amyloid / Q000737:chemistry; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008958:Models, Molecular; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011336:Probability; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D012694:Serine / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D000682:Amyloid; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D009842:Oligopeptides; D012996:Solutions; D012997:Solvents; C018315:hexon capsid protein, Adenovirus; D014867:Water; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D012694:Serine