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2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Ab initio structure prection of proteins by combining the extended ensemble method with liquid state theory

Research Project

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Project/Area Number 20K03879
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Review Section Basic Section 13040:Biophysics, chemical physics and soft matter physics-related
Research InstitutionKanazawa University

Principal Investigator

Miura Shinichi  金沢大学, 数物科学系, 教授 (10282865)

Project Period (FY) 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
Keywords拡張アンサンブル法 / 液体論 / タンパク質 / フォールディング
Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we have tried to construct methods for determining tertiary structures of proteins using extended ensemble methods of molecular simulations. We have first performed multicanonical calculations of a hydrated protein using a continuum model of aqueous solutions and the associated thermodynamic folding transition was determined. The resulting transition temperature was found to be in good agreement with the experimentally estimated temperature. The energy landscape of the protein was investigated by successive energy minimizations of protein structures along the multicanonical trajectory. The experimentally known native structure was demonstrated to be dominant below the transition temperature. We have also examined methods to refine the description of aqueous solutions by the 3D-RISM integral equation theory.

Free Research Field

液体物性理論

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

タンパク質が機能を発現する天然状態は自由エネルギー最小の状態であり、折りたたみは物理的な原理に支配されていると考えられている。これはアミノ酸残基配列情報である一次構造から機能を発現する三次構造を物理的な方法論に基づき予測できる可能性を示しており、物質科学・生命科学の最重要課題のひとつに挙げられる。本研究では水溶液環境はごく粗いモデルが用いられているが、実験で知られている天然構造を熱力学的な相転移という観点より計算のみから特定することができた。また、本研究で行われた詳細な検討により液体の積分方程式理論を用いて水溶液環境を高精度化するための方法論的な方向性を示すことができた。

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Published: 2024-01-30  

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