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Molecular dynamics simulations of biomolecular complexes consisting of proteins and nucleic acids
Melcr, Josef ; Barvík, Ivan (advisor) ; Bok, Jiří (referee)
Literature search on the Elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), which is involved in the process of translation of genetic information, was performed. Further, computational methods as molecular dynamics (MD) and Monte Carlo (MC) were studied. Then, computer programs for MD and MC simulations of a Lennard-Jones gas were developed. MD simulations were further applied to EF-Tu using the NAMD and ACEMD software packages. Multiprocessor PC clusters and programmable NVIDIA GPUs were used. MD simulations of EF-Tu uncovered binding of monovalent ions in nearby of the EF-Tu active site. The impact of Na$^+$ binding on evolutionarily conserved residues (His85, Val20, Ile61, Asp21, Tyr47, Asp87, etc.) was studied in detail.
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Simulation of processes in cellular membranes
Melcr, Josef ; Jungwirth, Pavel (advisor)
Simulation of processes in cellular membranes Abstract Many important processes in cells involve ions, e.g., fusion of synaptic vesi- cles with neuronal cell membranes is controlled by a divalent cation Ca2+ ; and the exchange of Na+ and K+ drives the the fast electrical signal transmis- sion in neurons. We have investigated model phospholipid membranes and their interactions with these biologically relevant ions. Using state-of-the-art molecular dynamics simulations, we accurately quantified their respective affinites towards neutral and negatively charged phospholipid bilayers. In order to achieve that, we developed a new model of phospholipids termed ECC-lipids, which accounts for the electronic polarization via the electronic continuum correction implemented as charge rescaling. Our simulations with this new force field reach for the first time a quantitative agreement with the experimental lipid electrometer concept for POPC as well as for POPS with all the studied cations. We have also examined the effects of transmembrane voltage on phospholipid bilayers. The electric field induced by the voltage exists exclusively in the hydrophobic region of the membrane, where it has an almost constant strength. This field affects the structure of nearby water molecules highlighting its importance in electroporation. 1
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Simulation of processes in cellular membranes
Melcr, Josef ; Jungwirth, Pavel (advisor)
Simulation of processes in cellular membranes Abstract Many important processes in cells involve ions, e.g., fusion of synaptic vesi- cles with neuronal cell membranes is controlled by a divalent cation Ca2+ ; and the exchange of Na+ and K+ drives the the fast electrical signal transmis- sion in neurons. We have investigated model phospholipid membranes and their interactions with these biologically relevant ions. Using state-of-the-art molecular dynamics simulations, we accurately quantified their respective affinites towards neutral and negatively charged phospholipid bilayers. In order to achieve that, we developed a new model of phospholipids termed ECC-lipids, which accounts for the electronic polarization via the electronic continuum correction implemented as charge rescaling. Our simulations with this new force field reach for the first time a quantitative agreement with the experimental lipid electrometer concept for POPC as well as for POPS with all the studied cations. We have also examined the effects of transmembrane voltage on phospholipid bilayers. The electric field induced by the voltage exists exclusively in the hydrophobic region of the membrane, where it has an almost constant strength. This field affects the structure of nearby water molecules highlighting its importance in electroporation. 1
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Simulation of processes in cellular membranes
Melcr, Josef ; Jungwirth, Pavel (advisor) ; Otyepka, Michal (referee) ; Tarek, Mounir (referee)
Simulation of processes in cellular membranes Abstract Many important processes in cells involve ions, e.g., fusion of synaptic vesi- cles with neuronal cell membranes is controlled by a divalent cation Ca2+ ; and the exchange of Na+ and K+ drives the the fast electrical signal transmis- sion in neurons. We have investigated model phospholipid membranes and their interactions with these biologically relevant ions. Using state-of-the-art molecular dynamics simulations, we accurately quantified their respective affinites towards neutral and negatively charged phospholipid bilayers. In order to achieve that, we developed a new model of phospholipids termed ECC-lipids, which accounts for the electronic polarization via the electronic continuum correction implemented as charge rescaling. Our simulations with this new force field reach for the first time a quantitative agreement with the experimental lipid electrometer concept for POPC as well as for POPS with all the studied cations. We have also examined the effects of transmembrane voltage on phospholipid bilayers. The electric field induced by the voltage exists exclusively in the hydrophobic region of the membrane, where it has an almost constant strength. This field affects the structure of nearby water molecules highlighting its importance in electroporation. 1
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QM/MM výpočty a klasické molekulárně-dynamické simulace biomolekul
Melcr, Josef ; Barvík, Ivan (advisor) ; Rulíšek, Lubomír (referee)
Systematic calculations were performed to uncover the free energy surfaces for hydrolytic reactions of methyl-diphosphate (in vacuum and implicit solvents) and GTP in EF-Tu active site. Density functional theory and ONIOM extrapolative QM/MM scheme were adopted for the assay. In accordance with experiments, the catalytic effect of the sodium cation was mild. It changes the conformation of GTP attracting its negatively charged oxygen atoms. hydrolýze GTP. The Na+ also equilibrates the charges of all phosphate groups of the GTP mostly by transferring electrons from gamma to beta-phosphate group, which is characteristic for the intermediate states during the hydrolytic reaction.
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Molecular dynamics simulations of biomolecular complexes consisting of proteins and nucleic acids
Melcr, Josef ; Barvík, Ivan (advisor) ; Bok, Jiří (referee)
Literature search on the Elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), which is involved in the process of translation of genetic information, was performed. Further, computational methods as molecular dynamics (MD) and Monte Carlo (MC) were studied. Then, computer programs for MD and MC simulations of a Lennard-Jones gas were developed. MD simulations were further applied to EF-Tu using the NAMD and ACEMD software packages. Multiprocessor PC clusters and programmable NVIDIA GPUs were used. MD simulations of EF-Tu uncovered binding of monovalent ions in nearby of the EF-Tu active site. The impact of Na$^+$ binding on evolutionarily conserved residues (His85, Val20, Ile61, Asp21, Tyr47, Asp87, etc.) was studied in detail.
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