This book discusses how biological molecules exert their function and regulate biological processes, with a clear focus on how conformational dynamics of proteins are critical in this respect. In the last decade, the advancements in computational biology, nuclear magnetic resonance including paramagnetic relaxation enhancement, and fluorescence-based ensemble/single-molecule techniques have shown that biological molecules (proteins, DNAs and RNAs) fluctuate under equilibrium conditions. The conformational and energetic spaces that these fluctuations explore likely contain active conformations that are critical for their function. More interestingly, these fluctuations can respond actively to external cues, which introduces layers of tight regulation on the biological processes that they dictate. A growing number of studies have suggested that conformational dynamics of proteins govern their role in regulating biological functions, examples of this regulation can be found in signal transduction, molecular recognition, apoptosis, protein / ion / other molecules translocation and gene expression. On the experimental side, the technical advances have offered deep insights into the conformational motions of a number of proteins. These studies greatly enrich our knowledge of the interplay between structure and function. On the theoretical side, novel approaches and detailed computational simulations have provided powerful tools in the study of enzyme catalysis, protein / drug design, protein / ion / other molecule translocation and protein folding/aggregation, to name but a few. This work contains detailed information, not only on the conformational motions of biological systems, but also on the potential governing forces of conformational dynamics (transient interactions, chemical and physical origins, thermodynamic properties). New developments in computational simulations will greatly enhance our understanding of how these molecules function in various biological events.

The Latest Developments on the Role of Dynamics in Protein FunctionsComputational Approaches to Protein Dynamics: From Quantum to Coarse-Grained Methods presents modern biomolecular computational techniques that address protein flexibility/dynamics at all levels of theory. An international contingent of leading researchers in chemistry, physics, an

This book discusses a broad range of basic and advanced topics in the field of protein structure, function, folding, flexibility, and dynamics. Starting with a basic introduction to protein purification, estimation, storage, and its effect on the protein structure, function, and dynamics, it also discusses various experimental and computational structure determination approaches; the importance of molecular interactions and water in protein stability, folding and dynamics; kinetic and thermodynamic parameters associated with protein-ligand binding; single molecule techniques and their applications in studying protein folding and aggregation; protein quality control; the role of amino acid sequence in protein aggregation; muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, antimuscarinic drugs, and their clinical significances. Further, the book explains the current understanding on the therapeutic importance of the enzyme dopamine beta hydroxylase; structural dynamics and motions in molecular motors; role of cathepsins in controlling degradation of extracellular matrix during disease states; and the important structure-function relationship of iron-binding proteins, ferritins. Overall, the book is an important guide and a comprehensive resource for understanding protein structure, function, dynamics, and interaction.

Provides an introduction to the structure and function of biomolecules --- especially proteins --- and the physical tools used to investigate them The discussion concentrates on physical tools and properties, emphasizing techniques that are contributing to new developments and avoiding those that are already well established and whose results have already been exploited fully New tools appear regularly - synchrotron radiation, proton radiology, holography, optical tweezers, and muon radiography, for example, have all been used to open new areas of understanding

How the amino acid sequence of a protein determines its three-dimensional structure is a major problem in biology and chemistry. Leading experts in the fields of NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, protein engineering and molecular modeling offer provocative insights into current views on the protein folding problem and various aspects for future progress.

Christopher M. Cheatum and Amnon Kohen, Relationship of Femtosecond–Picosecond Dynamics to Enzyme-Catalyzed H-Transfer. Cindy Schulenburg and Donald Hilvert, Protein Conformational Disorder and Enzyme Catalysis. A. Joshua Wand, Veronica R. Moorman and Kyle W. Harpole, A Surprising Role for Conformational Entropy in Protein Function. Travis P. Schrank, James O. Wrabl and Vincent J. Hilser, Conformational Heterogeneity Within the LID Domain Mediates Substrate Binding to Escherichia coli Adenylate Kinase: Function Follows Fluctuations. Buyong Ma and Ruth Nussinov, Structured Crowding and Its Effects on Enzyme Catalysis. Michael D. Daily, Haibo Yu, George N. Phillips Jr and Qiang Cui, Allosteric Activation Transitions in Enzymes and Biomolecular Motors: Insights from Atomistic and Coarse-Grained Simulations. Karunesh Arora and Charles L. Brooks III, Multiple Intermediates, Diverse Conformations, and Cooperative Conformational Changes Underlie the Catalytic Hydride Transfer Reaction of Dihydrofolate Reductase. Steven D. Schwartz, Protein Dynamics and the Enzymatic Reaction Coordinate.

Introduction to Protein Mass Spectrometry, Second Edition provides a comprehensive overview of this increasingly important, yet complex, analytical technique. This book enables readers to understand how determinations about protein identity from mass spectrometric data are made. Coverage begins with the technical basics, including preparations, instruments, and spectrometric analysis of peptides and proteins, before exploring applied use in biological applications, bioinformatics, database, and software resources. This new edition is fully updated to include the latest developments in the field and will feature new content covering recent progress in the areas where there have been the most exciting advances. These include PNNL's multilevel-PCB-based SLIM realization, SLIM-Agilent QQQ field trials; employment of SLIM-IMS-cryo-IR combination in molecular structure determination; proximity-labelling mass spectrometry, and applications in neuroscience. - Offers up-to-date, introductory information for scientists and researchers new to the field, as well as advanced insights into the critical assessment of computer-analyzed mass spectrometric results and their current limitations - Provides examples of commonly used MS instruments from a range of key manufacturers/developers, including Bruker, Applied Biosystems, JEOL, Thermo Scientific/Thermo Fisher Scientific, IU, Waters and PNNL - Includes biological applications and exploration of analytical tools and databases for bioinformatics - Features definitions, case studies, and recent developments in protein mass spectrometry - Includes sections new to this edition on SLIM (Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulation) and mass spectrometry applications in neuroscience, including synaptic biology and Alzheimer's disease

This book describes recent important advancements in protein folding dynamics and stability research, as well as explaining fundamentals and examining potential methodological approaches in protein science. In vitro, in silico, and in vivo method based research of how the stability and folding of proteins help regulate the cellular dynamics and impact cell function that are crucial in explaining various physiological and pathological processes. This book offers a comprehensive coverage on various techniques and related recent developments in the experimental and computational methods of protein folding, dynamics, and stability studies. The book is also structured in such a way as to summarize the latest developments in the fiddle and key concepts to ensure that readers can understand advanced concepts as well as the fundamental big picture. And most of all, fresh insights are provided into the convergence of protein science and technology. Protein Folding Dynamics and Stability is an ideal guide to the field that will be of value for all levels of researchers and advanced graduate students with training in biochemical laboratory research.