Y. Mao et al., Molecular dynamics simulations of the charge-induced unfolding and refolding of unsolvated cytochrome c, J PHYS CH B, 103(45), 1999, pp. 10017-10021
The charge-induced unfolding and refolding of unsolvated cytochrome c have
been studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Simulations were perfo
rmed for protonated charge states between +3 and +19. The charge-induced un
folding of cytochrome c in the gas phase has previously been examined by io
n mobility measurements. The main features of the experimental results are
reproduced by the MD simulations reported here. The simulations provide ins
ight into how the energy landscape changes with charge, and into the nature
of the unfolded conformations of the higher charge states. Experiments hav
e shown that unsolvated cytochrome c refolds when the charge is reduced. MD
simulations of this refolding process were also performed. When the charge
is reduced, the protein ions collapse, but they became trapped in random l
oop conformations with little secondary structure.