The transmembrane domains (TMDs) of membrane-fusogenic proteins contain an overabundance of b-branched residues. In a previous effort to systematically study the relation among valine content, fusogenicity, and helix dynamics, we developed model TMDs that we termed LV-peptides. The content and position of valine in LV-peptides determine their fusogenicity and backbone dynamics, as shown experimentally. Here, we analyze their conformational dynamics and the underlying molecular forces using molecular-dynamics simulations. Our study reveals that backbone dynamics is correlated with the efficiency of side-chain to side-chain van der Waals packing between consecutive turns of the helix. Leu side chains rapidly interconvert between two rotameric states, thus favoring contacts to its i ± 3 and i ± 4 neighbors. Stereochemical restraints acting on valine side chains in the α-helix force both β-substituents into an orientation where i,i ± 3 interactions are less favorable than i,i ± 4 interactions, thus inducing a local packing deficiency at VV3 motifs. We provide a quantitative molecular model to explain the relationship among chain connectivity, side-chain mobility, and backbone flexibility. We expect that this mechanism also defines the backbone flexibility of natural TMDs. © 2010 by the Biophysical Society.
CITATION STYLE
Quint, S., Widmaier, S., Minde, D., Hornburg, D., Langosch, D., & Scharnagl, C. (2010). Residue-specific side-chain packing determines the backbone dynamics of transmembrane model helices. Biophysical Journal, 99(8), 2541–2549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2010.08.031
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