Mass modulation of protein dynamics associated with barrier crossing in purine nucleoside phosphorylase

Dimitri Antoniou, Xiaoxia Ge, Vern L. Schramm, Steven D. Schwartz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

The role of protein dynamics on different time scales in enzyme catalysis remains an area of active debate. The connection between enzyme dynamics on the femtosecond time scale and transition state formation has been demonstrated in human purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) through the study of a mass-altered enzyme. Isotopic substitution in human PNP (heavy PNP) decreased the rate of on-enzyme chemistry but did not alter either the transition state structure or steady-state kinetic parameters. Here we investigate the underlying atomic motions associated with altered barrier crossing probability for heavy PNP. Transition path sampling was employed to illuminate the molecular differences between barrier crossing in light and heavy enzymes. The mass effect is apparent in promoting vibrations that polarize the N-ribosidic bond, and that promote the stability of the purine leaving group. These motions facilitate barrier crossing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3538-3544
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Volume3
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 6 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mass modulation of protein dynamics associated with barrier crossing in purine nucleoside phosphorylase'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this