TitleNormal Mode Analysis Elicits Conformational Shifts in Proteins at Both Proximal and Distal Regions to the Phosphosite Stemming from Single-Site Phosphorylation.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsSubhadarshini S, Tandon H, Srinivasan N, Sowdhamini R
JournalACS Omega
Volume9
Issue23
Pagination24520-24537
Date Published2024 Jun 11
ISSN2470-1343
Abstract

Phosphorylation, a fundamental biochemical switch, intricately regulates protein function and signaling pathways. Our study employs extensive computational structural analyses on a curated data set of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated protein pairs to explore the multifaceted impact of phosphorylation on protein conformation. Using normal mode analysis (NMA), we investigated changes in protein flexibility post-phosphorylation, highlighting an enhanced level of structural dynamism. Our findings reveal that phosphorylation induces not only local changes at the phosphorylation site but also extensive alterations in distant regions, showcasing its far-reaching influence on protein structure-dynamics. Through in-depth case studies on polyubiquitin B and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, we elucidate how phosphorylation at distinct sites leads to variable structural and dynamic modifications, potentially dictating functional outcomes. While phosphorylation largely preserves the residue motion correlation, it significantly disrupts low-frequency global modes, presenting a dualistic impact on protein dynamics. We also explored alterations in the total accessible surface area (ASA), emphasizing region-specific changes around phosphorylation sites. This study sheds light on phosphorylation-induced conformational changes, dynamic modulation, and surface accessibility alterations, leveraging an integrated computational approach with RMSD, NMA, and ASA, thereby contributing to a comprehensive understanding of cellular regulation and suggesting promising avenues for therapeutic interventions.

DOI10.1021/acsomega.4c00523
Alternate JournalACS Omega
PubMed ID38882086
PubMed Central IDPMC11170700