Network theory-based approaches provide valuable insights into the variations in global structural connectivity between different dynamical states of proteins. Our objective is to review network-based analyses to elucidate such variations, especially in the context of subtle conformational changes. We present technical details of the construction and analyses of protein structure networks, encompassing both the non-covalent connectivity and dynamics. We examine the selection of optimal criteria for connectivity based on the physical concept of percolation. We highlight the advantages of using side-chain-based network metrics in contrast to backbone measurements. As an illustrative example, we apply the described network approach to investigate the global conformational changes between the closed and partially open states of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. These conformational changes in the spike protein is crucial for coronavirus entry and fusion into human cells. Our analysis reveals global structural reorientations between the two states of the spike protein despite small changes between the two states at the backbone level. We also observe some differences at strategic locations in the structures, correlating with their functions, asserting the advantages of the side-chain network analysis. Finally, we present a view of allostery as a subtle synergistic-global change between the ligand and the receptor, the incorporation of which would enhance drug design strategies.
Ganoderma lucidum is a basidiomycete fungus that produces ligninase for the modification of lignin. Lignin peroxidase (LiP) is a glycoprotein that acts on the recalcitrant cell wall component lignin. In the present study, the phylogenetic analysis of Ganoderma lucidum GD88 with the partial coding sequence (cds) of other LiP isoforms was performed using MEGA6. After determination of the open reading frame, the +3 frame nucleotide sequence was converted to protein using the EMBOSS Transseq and the secondary structure was predicted using the Chou and Fasman Secondary Structure Prediction server (CFSSP). Protein modeling was also performed by SWISS-MODEL. The obtained result shows that the lipH partial cds of Ganoderma lucidum GD88 is homologous to the lipD gene of Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The secondary structure prediction result revealed that the percent content of the helix (67) is higher than the percent contents of sheet (53.4) and turns (13.6). According to the generated model, LiP H protein is a homodimer with chains A and B. The heme acts as a ligand and plays a major role in structure stabilization.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.