@article {2015|1677, title = {Recovering protein thermal stability using all-atom Hamiltonian replica-exchange simulations in explicit solvent}, journal = {J. Chem. Theo. Comput.}, volume = {11}, year = {2015}, pages = {5573{\textendash}5577}, abstract = {

The REST2 method is successfully applied to investigate the thermal stability of chignolin CLN025 and of Trp-cage. As opposed to temperature replica exchange, REST2 relies on the rescaling of the protein potential energy, which allows a smaller number of replicas. The shape of the stability curve reconstructed on the basis of the corresponding-state principle is in very good agreement with experimental data; for chignolin, the effect of mutations is also recovered.

}, issn = {15499626}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jctc.5b00954}, author = {Guillaume Stirnemann and Fabio Sterpone} } @article {2015|1668, title = {Role of Internal Water on Protein Thermal Stability: The Case of Homologous G Domains.}, journal = {J. Phys. Chem. B}, volume = {119}, year = {2015}, month = {jul}, pages = {8939{\textendash}49}, abstract = {

In this work, we address the question of whether the enhanced stability of thermophilic proteins has a direct connection with internal hydration. Our model systems are two homologous G domains of different stability: the mesophilic G domain of the elongation factor thermal unstable protein from E. coli and the hyperthermophilic G domain of the EF-1α protein from S. solfataricus. Using molecular dynamics simulation at the microsecond time scale, we show that both proteins host water molecules in internal cavities and that these molecules exchange with the external solution in the nanosecond time scale. The hydration free energy of these sites evaluated via extensive calculations is found to be favorable for both systems, with the hyperthermophilic protein offering a slightly more favorable environment to host water molecules. We estimate that, under ambient conditions, the free energy gain due to internal hydration is about 1.3 kcal/mol in favor of the hyperthermophilic variant. However, we also find that, at the high working temperature of the hyperthermophile, the cavities are rather dehydrated, meaning that under extreme conditions other molecular factors secure the stability of the protein. Interestingly, we detect a clear correlation between the hydration of internal cavities and the protein conformational landscape. The emerging picture is that internal hydration is an effective observable to probe the conformational landscape of proteins. In the specific context of our investigation, the analysis confirms that the hyperthermophilic G domain is characterized by multiple states and it has a more flexible structure than its mesophilic homologue.

}, issn = {1520-5207}, doi = {10.1021/jp507571u}, author = {Rahaman, Obaidur and Kalimeri, Maria and Melchionna, Simone and J{\'e}r{\^o}me H{\'e}nin and Fabio Sterpone} } @article {2011|1383, title = {Reorientation and Allied Dynamics in Water and Aqueous Solutions}, journal = {Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem.}, volume = {62}, year = {2011}, pages = {395{\textendash}416}, abstract = {

The reorientation of a water molecule is important for a host of phenomena, ranging over?in an only partial listing?the key dynamic hydrogen-bond network restructuring of water itself, aqueous solution chemical reaction mechanisms and rates, ion transport in aqueous solution and membranes, protein folding, and enzymatic activity. This review focuses on water reorientation and related dynamics in pure water, and for aqueous solutes with hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and amphiphilic character, ranging from tetramethylurea to halide ions and amino acids. Attention is given to the application of theory, simulation, and experiment in the probing of these dynamics, in usefully describing them, and in assessing the description. Special emphasis is placed on a novel sudden, large-amplitude jump mechanism for water reorientation, which contrasts with the commonly assumed Debye rotational diffusion mechanism, characterized by small-amplitude angular motion. Some open questions and directions for further research are also discussed. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Physical Chemistry Volume 62 is March 31, 2011. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/catalog/pubdates.aspx for revised estimates.

}, isbn = {0066-426X 1545-1593}, issn = {0066-426X}, doi = {doi: 10.1146/annurev.physchem.012809.103503}, url = {http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.physchem.012809.103503$\backslash$nhttp://www.annualreviews.org.login.ezproxy.lib.purdue.edu/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev.physchem.012809.103503}, author = {Laage, Damien and Guillaume Stirnemann and Fabio Sterpone and Rey, Rossend and Hynes, James T.} } @inbook {2011|1773, title = {Role of packing, hydration and fluctuation on Thermostability}, booktitle = {Thermostable Proteins Structural Stability and Design}, year = {2011}, publisher = {CRC Press - Taylor and Francis}, organization = {CRC Press - Taylor and Francis}, author = {Fabio Sterpone and Simone Melchionna}, editor = {Srikanta Sen and Lennart Nilsson} }