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Symmetry, Dynamics and Function: Biological Macromolecules Studied By Elastic Network Models

Yang, Zheng (2009) Symmetry, Dynamics and Function: Biological Macromolecules Studied By Elastic Network Models. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Symmetry is a common feature in nature. Large biological macromolecules (> 100 kD) tend to assemble from multiple subunits and spatially arranged in symmetric ways. The topological symmetry not only results in coding efficiency and error control, but also characterizes the equilibrium dynamics of the biomolecular system. Coarse-grained normal mode analyses have been broadly used in recent years to elucidate the relation between structure, dynamics and function. Further insights into collective motions can be gained by considering continuum models with appropriate symmetry and boundary conditions to approximately represent the molecular structure. We solved the elastic wave equation analytically for the case of spherical symmetry, yielding a symmetry-based classification of vibrational motions accessible to the structures together with explicit predictions of their vibrational frequencies. Applications to biomolecular assemblies have shown that the continuum models with spherical symmetry efficiently provide insights into collective motions that are otherwise obtained by detailed elastic network models. Additionally, to understand the mechanism of functions associated with structural changes between different conformations, the transition pathways between these conformations have been explored with the help of elastic network models. Although there are many computational methods for exploring the conformational transitions of proteins, these are usually applicable to small-to-moderate size proteins, and the task of exploring the transition pathways becomes prohibitively expensive in the case of supramolecular systems of the order of megadaltons. Coarse-grained models that lend themselves to analytical solutions appear to be the only possible means of approaching such cases. Motivated by the utility of elastic network models for describing the collective dynamics of biomolecular systems, and by the growing theoretical and experimental evidence in support of the intrinsic accessibility of functional substates under native state conditions, we developed a new method, adaptive anisotropic network model (aANM), for exploring the functional transitions of large biomolecular systems. Application to bacterial chaperonin GroEL, and comparisons with experimental data, and with results from other theoretical and/or computational approaches, support the utility of aANM as a computationally efficient, yet physically plausible, tool for unraveling the potential transition pathways sampled by large complexes/assemblies.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Yang, Zhengzhy8@pitt.eduZHY8
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairBahar, Ivetbahar@pitt.eduBAHAR
Committee CoChairCoalson, Robrob@mercury.chem.pitt.eduROBC
Committee MemberJasnow, Davidjasnow@pitt.eduJASNOW
Committee MemberBoudreau, Josephboudreau@pitt.eduBOUDREAU
Committee MemberSavinov, Vladimirvladimirsavinov@gmail.com
Date: 1 October 2009
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 29 July 2009
Approval Date: 1 October 2009
Submission Date: 4 August 2009
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Physics
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Allosteric transition; dynamics; elastic network; function; macromolecule; Symmetry; transition pathway; viral capsid
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-08042009-203151/, etd-08042009-203151
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 19:57
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 13:48
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8889

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