Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 7-14 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Chemical Physics |
| Volume | 500 |
| Early online date | 9 Nov 2017 |
| Publication status | Published - 26 Jan 2018 |
Abstract
Connexin hemichannels mediate cytoplasm and extracellular milieu communication by exchanging a variety of cytoplasmic molecules and ions. These hemichannels can be regulated by external stimuli such as mechanical stress, applied voltage, pH and temperature changes. Although there are many studies on structures and functions of connexin 26 in contexts of pH, ion concentration and voltage, employing computational methods, no such study has been performed so far involving temperature changes. In this study, using molecular dynamics simulation, we investigate thermosensitivity of the human Connexin 26 hemichannel. Our results show that the channel approaches a structurally closed state at lower temperature compared to higher temperature. This is in fair agreement with experimental results that indicate channel closure at lower temperature. Furthermore, our MD simulation results show that some regions of connexin 26 hemichannel are more sensitive to temperature compared to other regions. Whereas the intercellular half of the channel does not show any considerable response to temperature during the simulation time accessible in this study, the cytoplasmic half approaches a closed structural state at lower temperature compared to the higher temperature. Specifically, our results suggest that the cytoplasmic loop, the cytoplasmic half of the second transmembrane helix, and the N-terminus helix play a dominant role in temperature gating.
Keywords
- Connexin 26, Molecular dynamics simulation, Thermosensitivity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- General Physics and Astronomy
- Chemistry(all)
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
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In: Chemical Physics, Vol. 500, 26.01.2018, p. 7-14.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Molecular dynamics simulation of the thermosensitivity of the human connexin 26 hemichannel
AU - Alizadeh, Hadi
AU - Davoodi, Jamal
AU - Zeilinger, Carsten
AU - Rafii-Tabar, Hashem
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2017 Elsevier B.V. Copyright: Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2018/1/26
Y1 - 2018/1/26
N2 - Connexin hemichannels mediate cytoplasm and extracellular milieu communication by exchanging a variety of cytoplasmic molecules and ions. These hemichannels can be regulated by external stimuli such as mechanical stress, applied voltage, pH and temperature changes. Although there are many studies on structures and functions of connexin 26 in contexts of pH, ion concentration and voltage, employing computational methods, no such study has been performed so far involving temperature changes. In this study, using molecular dynamics simulation, we investigate thermosensitivity of the human Connexin 26 hemichannel. Our results show that the channel approaches a structurally closed state at lower temperature compared to higher temperature. This is in fair agreement with experimental results that indicate channel closure at lower temperature. Furthermore, our MD simulation results show that some regions of connexin 26 hemichannel are more sensitive to temperature compared to other regions. Whereas the intercellular half of the channel does not show any considerable response to temperature during the simulation time accessible in this study, the cytoplasmic half approaches a closed structural state at lower temperature compared to the higher temperature. Specifically, our results suggest that the cytoplasmic loop, the cytoplasmic half of the second transmembrane helix, and the N-terminus helix play a dominant role in temperature gating.
AB - Connexin hemichannels mediate cytoplasm and extracellular milieu communication by exchanging a variety of cytoplasmic molecules and ions. These hemichannels can be regulated by external stimuli such as mechanical stress, applied voltage, pH and temperature changes. Although there are many studies on structures and functions of connexin 26 in contexts of pH, ion concentration and voltage, employing computational methods, no such study has been performed so far involving temperature changes. In this study, using molecular dynamics simulation, we investigate thermosensitivity of the human Connexin 26 hemichannel. Our results show that the channel approaches a structurally closed state at lower temperature compared to higher temperature. This is in fair agreement with experimental results that indicate channel closure at lower temperature. Furthermore, our MD simulation results show that some regions of connexin 26 hemichannel are more sensitive to temperature compared to other regions. Whereas the intercellular half of the channel does not show any considerable response to temperature during the simulation time accessible in this study, the cytoplasmic half approaches a closed structural state at lower temperature compared to the higher temperature. Specifically, our results suggest that the cytoplasmic loop, the cytoplasmic half of the second transmembrane helix, and the N-terminus helix play a dominant role in temperature gating.
KW - Connexin 26
KW - Molecular dynamics simulation
KW - Thermosensitivity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85034022970&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.chemphys.2017.11.002
DO - 10.1016/j.chemphys.2017.11.002
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85034022970
VL - 500
SP - 7
EP - 14
JO - Chemical Physics
JF - Chemical Physics
SN - 0301-0104
ER -