Computer Simulations of Electron Transfer Proteins

关于电子转移蛋白质最有趣的问题之一是蛋白质如何修饰电子 其氧化还原位点的转移性质。这一知识对于理解一种新的免疫系统的分子基础至关重要。 各种代谢过程，涉及这些过程的疾病，以及针对这些过程的药物设计 流程.总体目标是在分子水平上了解电子转移蛋白的性质。 重点是铁硫蛋白，这是普遍存在的蛋白质参与的基本过程 如呼吸作用、光合作用、生物合成和生物降解。我们的方法利用静电 势计算，分子动力学模拟，电子结构计算，和序列 分析.我们的研究包括三个基本方面：（1）还原电位（E），它决定了 电子转移的驱动力，（2）蛋白质重组的能量，这必须发挥作用， 蛋白质可以如此有效和快速地移动电子，以及（3）簇转换，这在蛋白质的合成中很重要。 许多铁蛋白的功能和形成。主要研究2[4Fe-4S]铁氧化还原蛋白和生物素 合成酶具体目标是： 目标1.将确定由于Fe-S蛋白中的极性基团导致的E差异的起源。我们的工作 模型是氢键对氧化还原位点的影响主要是通过氢键的静电作用 而不是通过电子扰动。 目标2.确定了Fe-S蛋白重组能的性质。我们的工作模式是 序列差异可以通过氢键影响重组能。 目标3。将确定Fe-S类似物和蛋白质中簇转换的机制。我们 工作模型是自旋离域和氧化还原态是重要的。

One of the most intriguing questions about electron transfer proteins is how the protein modifies the electron transfer properties of its redox site. This knowledge is crucial in understanding the molecular basis of a variety of metabolic processes, diseases involving these processes, and drug design targeting these processes. The overall goal is to understand the properties of electron transfer proteins at a molecular level. The focus is on the iron-sulfur proteins, which are ubiquitous proteins involved in fundamental processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, biosynthesis, and biodegradation. Our approach uses electrostatic potential calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, electronic structure calculations, and sequence analysis. Our studies cover three essential areas: (1) the reduction potentials (E),which determine the driving force for electron transfer, (2) the protein reorganization energy, which must play a role in how proteins can move electrons so efficiently and quickly, and (3) cluster conversion, which is important in the function and formation of many Fe-Sproteins. Studies will be mainly on the 2[4Fe-4S] ferredoxins and biotin synthase. The specific aimsare: Aim 1. The origins of differences in E due to polar groups in Fe-Sproteins will be determined. Our working model is that hydrogen bonds to the redox site affect E mainly by the electrostatics of the hydrogen bond donor dipole rather than by electronic perturbation. Aim 2. The nature of the reorganization energy of Fe-Sproteins will be determined. Our working model is that sequence differences can affect the reorganization energy via hydrogen bonds. Aim 3. The mechanisms of cluster conversion in Fe-S analogs and proteins will be determined . Our working model is that spin delocalization and redox state are important.