Elastic networks have been used as simple models of proteins to study their slow structural dynamics. They consist of point-like particles connected by linear Hookean springs and hence are convenient for linear normal mode analysis around a given reference structure. Furthermore, dynamic simulations using these models can provide new insights. As the computational cost associated with these models is considerably lower compared to that of all-atom models, they are also convenient for comparative studies between multiple protein structures. In this review, we introduce examples of coarse-grained molecular dynamics studies using elastic network models and their derivatives, focusing on the nonlinear phenomena, and discuss their applicability to large-scale macromolecular assemblies.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms19123899 | DOI Listing |
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
January 2025
Applied Mathematics Laboratory, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Department of Mathematics, New York University, New York, NY 10012.
Mechanical systems with moving points of contact-including rolling, sliding, and impacts-are common in engineering applications and everyday experiences. The challenges in analyzing such systems are compounded when an object dynamically explores the complex surface shape of a moving structure, as arises in familiar but poorly understood contexts such as hula hooping. We study this activity as a unique form of mechanical levitation against gravity and identify the conditions required for the stable suspension of an object rolling around a gyrating body.
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January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Superhard Materials, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
The abrupt drop of resistance to zero at a critical temperature is a key signature of the current paradigm of the metal-superconductor transition. However, the emergence of an intermediate bosonic insulating state characterized by a resistance peak preceding the onset of the superconducting transition has challenged this traditional understanding. Notably, this phenomenon has been predominantly observed in disordered or chemically doped low-dimensional systems, raising intriguing questions about the generality of the effect and its underlying fundamental physics.
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January 2025
Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
Dissolution of CO in water followed by the subsequent hydrolysis reactions is of great importance to the global carbon cycle, and carbon capture and storage. Despite numerous previous studies, the reactions are still not fully understood at the atomistic scale. Here, we combined ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations with Markov state models to elucidate the reaction mechanisms and kinetics of CO in supercritical water both in the bulk and nanoconfined states.
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January 2025
Department of Physiology and Biophysical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214.
Ion channels are generally allosteric proteins, involving specialized stimulus sensor domains conformationally linked to the gate to drive channel opening. Temperature receptors are a group of ion channels from the transient receptor potential family. They exhibit an unprecedentedly strong temperature dependence and are responsible for temperature sensing in mammals.
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January 2025
Computational Radiology Laboratory, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
This study presents the construction of a comprehensive spatiotemporal atlas of white matter tracts in the fetal brain for every gestational week between 23 and 36 wk using diffusion MRI (dMRI). Our research leverages data collected from fetal MRI scans, capturing the dynamic changes in the brain's architecture and microstructure during this critical period. The atlas includes 60 distinct white matter tracts, including commissural, projection, and association fibers.
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