Thermostability prediction of protein structure by using elastic network model

탄성망모델을 이용한 단백질 열안정성 해석

In this study, an elastic network model is established in order to find dominant factors which reflect thermostability of protein structures. The connections in the elastic network model are selected with respect to the free energy between alpha-carbons, which is representatives of residues in the elastic network model. We carried out normal mode analysis and compared eigenvalues of the stiffness matrix from the elastic network model. In most cases, thermophilic proteins are observed to have higher values of lowest natural frequency than mesophiles and psychrophiles have. As a result, the thermophiles are calculated to be stiffer than other proteins in view of dynamic vibration.