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Monte Carlo approach to binding and aggregation of disordered peptides

Staneva, Iskra LU (2012)
Abstract
In this thesis, theoretical models are applied to study some aspects of intrinsically disordered proteins, i.e. proteins that partly or entirely lack a stable native structure. In particular, focus is on peptide binding and aggregation. Knowledge about these mechanisms is important for understanding how proteins interact with each other and how mutations can affect the function and sometimes give rise to disease.



The methods used are based on all-atom Monte Carlo simulations with implicit solvent. In Papers I and II a model is developed for analysis of peptide binding. It is tested on PDZ-domains, structural units that are often found in signaling proteins, which bind to the C-termini of other proteins. They especially... (More)
In this thesis, theoretical models are applied to study some aspects of intrinsically disordered proteins, i.e. proteins that partly or entirely lack a stable native structure. In particular, focus is on peptide binding and aggregation. Knowledge about these mechanisms is important for understanding how proteins interact with each other and how mutations can affect the function and sometimes give rise to disease.



The methods used are based on all-atom Monte Carlo simulations with implicit solvent. In Papers I and II a model is developed for analysis of peptide binding. It is tested on PDZ-domains, structural units that are often found in signaling proteins, which bind to the C-termini of other proteins. They especially recognize specific patterns of short amino-acid sequences. Paper III likewise deals with peptide binding, but the system of interest is the S100B protein, which in the same manner is able to bind various sequences. In this case, the two peptides studied are disordered when they are free, but assume helical structures as they become part of the complex. Since the peptides differ in their final bound configurations, the main question is whether there still are any similarities between their binding processes.



Papers IV and V are devoted to questions related to peptide aggregation. They describe the analysis of Abeta42, a peptide that forms miscellaneous aggregates, and which is believed to be involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Monomers and dimers of the wild type, as well as three mutants, are examined in order to observe the initial interactions and features of peptide aggregation, and comparisons of the four variants are made aiming to identify structural propensities that could explain their different aggregation properties. (Less)
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author
supervisor
opponent
  • Dokholyan, Nikolay, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Monte Carlo simulations, peptide binding, protein aggregation, Fysicumarkivet A:2012:Staneva
pages
164 pages
publisher
Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics, Lund University
defense location
Segerfalksalen, BMC
defense date
2012-05-15 10:15:00
ISBN
978-91-7473-269-6
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c8169710-fd60-4ce3-af54-dbc5d400b95f (old id 2439592)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 09:57:08
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:55:49
@phdthesis{c8169710-fd60-4ce3-af54-dbc5d400b95f,
  abstract     = {{In this thesis, theoretical models are applied to study some aspects of intrinsically disordered proteins, i.e. proteins that partly or entirely lack a stable native structure. In particular, focus is on peptide binding and aggregation. Knowledge about these mechanisms is important for understanding how proteins interact with each other and how mutations can affect the function and sometimes give rise to disease.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
The methods used are based on all-atom Monte Carlo simulations with implicit solvent. In Papers I and II a model is developed for analysis of peptide binding. It is tested on PDZ-domains, structural units that are often found in signaling proteins, which bind to the C-termini of other proteins. They especially recognize specific patterns of short amino-acid sequences. Paper III likewise deals with peptide binding, but the system of interest is the S100B protein, which in the same manner is able to bind various sequences. In this case, the two peptides studied are disordered when they are free, but assume helical structures as they become part of the complex. Since the peptides differ in their final bound configurations, the main question is whether there still are any similarities between their binding processes.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Papers IV and V are devoted to questions related to peptide aggregation. They describe the analysis of Abeta42, a peptide that forms miscellaneous aggregates, and which is believed to be involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Monomers and dimers of the wild type, as well as three mutants, are examined in order to observe the initial interactions and features of peptide aggregation, and comparisons of the four variants are made aiming to identify structural propensities that could explain their different aggregation properties.}},
  author       = {{Staneva, Iskra}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-7473-269-6}},
  keywords     = {{Monte Carlo simulations; peptide binding; protein aggregation; Fysicumarkivet A:2012:Staneva}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics, Lund University}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  title        = {{Monte Carlo approach to binding and aggregation of disordered peptides}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}