Conformational dynamics of M2 helices in KirBac channels: helix flexibility in relation to gating via molecular dynamics simulations.

KirBac1.1 and 3.1 are bacterial homologues of mammalian inward rectifier K channels. We have performed extended molecular dynamics simulations (five simulations, each of >20 ns duration) of the transmembrane domain of KirBac in two membrane environments, a palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylcholine...

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Main Authors: Grottesi, A, Domene, C, Hall, B, Sansom, MS
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2005
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author Grottesi, A
Domene, C
Hall, B
Sansom, MS
author_facet Grottesi, A
Domene, C
Hall, B
Sansom, MS
author_sort Grottesi, A
collection OXFORD
description KirBac1.1 and 3.1 are bacterial homologues of mammalian inward rectifier K channels. We have performed extended molecular dynamics simulations (five simulations, each of >20 ns duration) of the transmembrane domain of KirBac in two membrane environments, a palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylcholine bilayer and an octane slab. Analysis of these simulations has focused on the conformational dynamics of the pore-lining M2 helices, which form the cytoplasmic hydrophobic gate of the channel. Principal components analysis reveals bending of M2, with a molecular hinge at the conserved glycine (Gly134 in KirBac1.1, Gly120 in KirBac3.1). More detailed analysis reveals a dimer-of-dimers type motion. The first two eigenvectors describing the motions of M2 correspond to helix kink and swivel motions. The conformational flexibility of M2 seen in these simulations correlates with differences in M2 conformation between that seen in the X-ray structures of closed channels (KcsA and KirBac) in which the helix is undistorted, and in open channels (e.g. MthK) in which the M2 helix is kinked. Thus, the simulations, albeit on a time scale substantially shorter than that required for channel gating, suggest a gating model in which the intrinsic flexibility of M2 about a molecular hinge is coupled to conformational transitions of an intracellular 'gatekeeper' domain, the latter changing conformation in response to ligand binding.
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spelling oxford-uuid:e6f67c02-1047-4e5c-a51e-ea213a58ae172022-03-27T10:34:48ZConformational dynamics of M2 helices in KirBac channels: helix flexibility in relation to gating via molecular dynamics simulations.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:e6f67c02-1047-4e5c-a51e-ea213a58ae17EnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2005Grottesi, ADomene, CHall, BSansom, MSKirBac1.1 and 3.1 are bacterial homologues of mammalian inward rectifier K channels. We have performed extended molecular dynamics simulations (five simulations, each of >20 ns duration) of the transmembrane domain of KirBac in two membrane environments, a palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylcholine bilayer and an octane slab. Analysis of these simulations has focused on the conformational dynamics of the pore-lining M2 helices, which form the cytoplasmic hydrophobic gate of the channel. Principal components analysis reveals bending of M2, with a molecular hinge at the conserved glycine (Gly134 in KirBac1.1, Gly120 in KirBac3.1). More detailed analysis reveals a dimer-of-dimers type motion. The first two eigenvectors describing the motions of M2 correspond to helix kink and swivel motions. The conformational flexibility of M2 seen in these simulations correlates with differences in M2 conformation between that seen in the X-ray structures of closed channels (KcsA and KirBac) in which the helix is undistorted, and in open channels (e.g. MthK) in which the M2 helix is kinked. Thus, the simulations, albeit on a time scale substantially shorter than that required for channel gating, suggest a gating model in which the intrinsic flexibility of M2 about a molecular hinge is coupled to conformational transitions of an intracellular 'gatekeeper' domain, the latter changing conformation in response to ligand binding.
spellingShingle Grottesi, A
Domene, C
Hall, B
Sansom, MS
Conformational dynamics of M2 helices in KirBac channels: helix flexibility in relation to gating via molecular dynamics simulations.
title Conformational dynamics of M2 helices in KirBac channels: helix flexibility in relation to gating via molecular dynamics simulations.
title_full Conformational dynamics of M2 helices in KirBac channels: helix flexibility in relation to gating via molecular dynamics simulations.
title_fullStr Conformational dynamics of M2 helices in KirBac channels: helix flexibility in relation to gating via molecular dynamics simulations.
title_full_unstemmed Conformational dynamics of M2 helices in KirBac channels: helix flexibility in relation to gating via molecular dynamics simulations.
title_short Conformational dynamics of M2 helices in KirBac channels: helix flexibility in relation to gating via molecular dynamics simulations.
title_sort conformational dynamics of m2 helices in kirbac channels helix flexibility in relation to gating via molecular dynamics simulations
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AT domenec conformationaldynamicsofm2helicesinkirbacchannelshelixflexibilityinrelationtogatingviamoleculardynamicssimulations
AT hallb conformationaldynamicsofm2helicesinkirbacchannelshelixflexibilityinrelationtogatingviamoleculardynamicssimulations
AT sansomms conformationaldynamicsofm2helicesinkirbacchannelshelixflexibilityinrelationtogatingviamoleculardynamicssimulations