Modeling Structural Dynamics of Biomolecular Complexes by Coarse-Grained Molecular Simulations

Abstract

Here, we review recent developments and applications of CG modeling methods, focusing on our methods primarily for proteins, DNA, and their complexes. We first describe two representative minimal models of proteins, called the elastic network model and the classic Go̅ model. We then present a more elaborate protein model, which extends the minimal model to incorporate sequence and context dependent local flexibility and nonlocal contacts. For DNA, we describe a model developed by de Pablo’s group that was tuned to well reproduce sequence-dependent structural and thermodynamic experimental data for single- and double-stranded DNAs. Protein–DNA interactions are modeled either by the structure-based term for specific cases or by electrostatic and excluded volume terms for nonspecific cases. We also discuss the time scale mapping in CG molecular dynamics simulations. Next, we present four examples of applications. Finally, we discuss many of limitations in the current approaches and future directions. Especially, more accurate electrostatic treatment and a phospholipid model that matches our CG resolutions are of immediate importance.

Journal
Accounts of Chemical Research
Date
Volume
48
Issue
12
Page
3026-3035