Folding dynamics of a small protein at room temperature via simulated coherent two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy

Yun Xiang, Lili Duan, John Z.H. Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Understanding protein folding is of fundamental and practical importance in chemistry and biology. Despite the great success that has been made in tackling this problem, a detailed knowledge of how the elementary processes such as hydrogen-bond formation occur during protein folding has remained largely elusive. Using the combined power of molecular dynamics simulation with electrostatic polarization and coherent two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy, we are able to delineate the order of the hydrogen-bond formation event of a 17-residue peptide during its folding from an extended state to the native α-helix state. The folding is carried out by a single trajectory room-temperature molecular dynamics simulation that includes the polarization effect of hydrogen bonding, which is critical to the successful folding of the peptide. The onset and evolution of the isotope-labeled amide I vibration diagonal and cross peaks on the simulated 2DIR spectra allow us to build a structure-spectrum connection, and thus provide a microscopic picture of the helix folding process.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)15681-15688
Number of pages8
JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Volume12
Issue number48
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 28 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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