Hidden electrostatic basis of dynamic allostery in a PDZ domain

TitleHidden electrostatic basis of dynamic allostery in a PDZ domain
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsKumawat, A, Chakrabarty, S
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume114
Issue29
PaginationE5825-E5834
Date PublishedJUL
Type of ArticleArticle
AbstractAllosteric effect implies ligand binding at one site leading to structural and/or dynamical changes at a distant site. PDZ domains are classic examples of dynamic allostery without conformational changes, where distal side-chain dynamics is modulated on ligand binding and the origin has been attributed to entropic effects. In this work, we unearth the energetic basis of the observed dynamic allostery in a PDZ3 domain protein using molecular dynamics simulations. We demonstrate that electrostatic interaction provides a highly sensitive yardstick to probe the allosteric modulation in contrast to the traditionally used structure-based parameters. There is a significant population shift in the hydrogen-bonded network and salt bridges involving side chains on ligand binding. The ligand creates a local energetic perturbation that propagates in the form of dominolike changes in interresidue interaction pattern. There are significant changes in the nature of specific interactions (nonpolar/polar) between interresidue contacts and accompanied side-chain reorientations that drive the major redistribution of energy. Interestingly, this internal redistribution and rewiring of side-chain interactions led to large cancellations resulting in small change in the overall enthalpy of the protein, thus making it difficult to detect experimentally. In contrast to the prevailing focus on the entropic or dynamic effects, we show that the internal redistribution and population shift in specific electrostatic interactions drive the allosteric modulation in the PDZ3 domain protein.
DOI10.1073/pnas.1705311114
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)Foreign
Impact Factor (IF)9.423
Divison category: 
Physical and Materials Chemistry

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