Protein polarization is critical to stabilizing AF-2 and helix-2′ domains in ligand binding to PPAR-γ

C. G. Ji, J. Z.H. Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-γ) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that is important in adipocyte differentiation and glucose homeostasis. This paper presents a detailed dynamics study of PPAR-γ and its binding to the agonist rosiglitazone using both polarized and unpolarized force fields. The numerical result revealed the critical role of protein polarization in stabilizing the activation function-2 (AF-2) in ligand binding to PPAR-γ and a helix structure (helix-2′). Specifically when nonpolarized force field is used, a critical Η-bond in PPAR-γ binding is broken, which caused AF-2 to adopt random structures. In addition, helix-2′ is partially denatured during the MD simulation, due to the breaking of a backbone hydrogen bond. In contrast, when polarized force field is employed in MD simulation, the PPAR-γ ligand binding structure is stabilized and the local structure of helix-2′ remains folded, both being in excellent agreement with experimental observations. The current result demonstrates the importance of electronic polarization of protein in stabilizing hydrogen bonding, which is critical to preserving the native structure of local helices and protein-ligand binding in PPAR-γ.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)17129-17133
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume130
Issue number50
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 17 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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