Effects of an Electric Field on the Conformational Transition of the Protein: Pulsed and Oscillating Electric Fields with Different Frequencies

Abstract

The effect of pulsed and oscillating electric fields with different frequencies on the conformational properties of all-α proteins was investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. The root mean square deviation, the root mean square fluctuation, the dipole moment distribution, and the secondary structure analysis were used to assess the protein samples’ structural characteristics. In the simulation, we found that the higher frequency of the electric field influences the rapid response to the secondary structural transitions. However, the conformational changes measured by RMSD are diminished by applying the electrical field with a higher frequency. During the dipole moment analysis, we found that the magnitude and frequency of the dipole moment was directly related to the strength and frequency of the external electric field. In terms of the type of electric fields, we found that the average values of RMSD and RMSF of whole molecular protein are larger when the protein is exposed in the pulsed electric field. Concerning the typical sample 1BBL, the secondary structure analysis showed that two alpha-helix segments both transit to turns or random coils almost simultaneously when it is exposed in a pulsed electric field. Meanwhile, two segments present the different characteristic times when the transition occurs in the condition of an oscillating electric field. This study also demonstrated that the protein with fewer charged residues or more residues in forming α-helical structures display the higher conformational stability. These conclusions, achieved using MD simulations, provide a theoretical understanding of the effect of the frequency and expression form of external electric fields on the conformational changes of the all-α proteins with charged residues and the guidance for anticipative applications.

Effect of the Electric Field on the Biomineralization of Collagen

“…On the other side, it has been proven that the electric field application can induce conformational changes in proteins. Such changes may lead to intramolecular charge separations or reorientation of a charged group inside a matrix affecting the functional stability and properties of the protein [ 45 ]. Collagen is a protein whose mineralization is believed to occur in the gap regions of the fibrils.…”

Electromagnetic interactions in regulations of cell behaviors and morphogenesis

“…DNA/RNA molecules are also electromagnetic oscillators based upon the synchronized longitudinal oscillations of electrons in the hydrogen bonds within the DNA/RNA sequences induced by the pulses within live cells ( Savelev and Myakishev-Rempel, 2020 ). From the physical point of view, any polymeric biomolecules, including most proteins and RNAs and given the complexity and flexibility of various types of chemical and hydrogen bonds existing within these molecules, can be viewed as electromagnetic oscillators in the live cell ( Sponer et al, 2001 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ). During transcription, the electromagnetic oscillations of the transcribed chromatin fibers are transmitted to the RNA molecules transcribed.…”

Mechanical Unfolding and Amorphous Aggregation of Protein in a Very Low DC Field

“…It may also appear irrational to use fields as high as ∼10 7 or 10 8 V cm −1 unless simulation settings require such large values. 11,25 It is possible that experiments that employed this order of field were inspired by simulation studies. Another significant problem associated with the description of results has been the failure to account for electrophoretic mobility and clearly separate the chemical and physical effects elicited by EF.…”

“…A part of the reason for the host of conflicting reports of the EF effect on proteins is the diverse response of the protein systems to the magnitude of the field and frequency, and the duration of the field application. It may also appear irrational to use fields as high as ∼10 7 or 10 8 V cm –1 unless simulation settings require such large values. , It is possible that experiments that employed this order of field were inspired by simulation studies. Another significant problem associated with the description of results has been the failure to account for electrophoretic mobility and clearly separate the chemical and physical effects elicited by EF.…”