• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.33 no.11
• /
• pp.3601-3606
• /
• 2012

Structural properties of a small hexapeptide molecule modeled after metal-binding siderochrome immersed in a room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) are studied via molecular dynamics simulations. We consider two different RTILs, each of which is made up of the same cationic species, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ($BMI^+$), but different anions, hexafluorophosphate ($PF_6{^-}$) and chloride ($Cl^-$). We investigate how anionic properties such as hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity or hydrogen bonding capability affect the stabilization of the peptide in RTILs. To examine the effect of peptide-RTIL electrostatic interactions on solvation, we also consider a hypothetical solvent $BMI^0Cl^0$, a non-ionic counter-part of $BMI^+Cl^-$. For reference, we investigate solvation structures in common polar solvents, water and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Comparison of $BMI^+Cl^-$ and $BMI^0Cl^0$ shows that electrostatic interactions of the peptide and RTIL play a significant role in the conformational fluctuation of the peptide. For example, strong electrostatic interactions between the two favor an extended conformation of the peptide by reducing its structural fluctuations. The hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of RTIL anions also exerts a notable influence; specifically, structural fluctuations of the peptide become reduced in more hydrophilic $BMI^+Cl^-$, compared with those in more hydrophobic $BMI^+PF_6{^-}$. This is ascribed to the good hydrogen-bond accepting power of chloride anions, which enables them to bind strongly to hydroxyl groups of the peptide and to stabilize its structure. Transport properties of the peptide are examined briefly. Translations of the peptide significantly slow down in highly viscous RTILs.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.783-790
• /
• 2007

The immobilization of proteins and their molecular interactions on various polymer-modified glass substrates [i.e. 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS), 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS), poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA), chitosan (CHI), glutaraldehyde (GA), 3-(trichlorosilyl)propyl methacrylate (TPM), 3'-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and poly-l-lysine (PL).] for potential applications in a nanoarray protein chip at the single-molecule level was evaluated using prismtype dual-color total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (dual-color TIRFM). A dual-color TIRF microscope, which contained two individual laser beams and a single high-sensitivity camera, was used for the rapid and simultaneous dual-color detection of the interactions and colocalization of different proteins labeled with different fluorescent dyes such as Alexa Fluor® 488, Qdot® 525 and Alexa Fluor® 633. Most of the polymer-modified glass substrates showed good stability and a relative high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio over a 40-day period after making the substrates. The GPTS/CHI/GA-modified glass substrate showed a 13.5-56.3% higher relative S/N ratio than the other substrates. 1% Top-Block in 10 mM phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) showed a 99.2% increase in the blocking effect of non-specific adsorption. These results show that dual-color TIRFM is a powerful methodology for detecting proteins at the single-molecule level with potential applications in nanoarray chips or nano-biosensors.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 2022

During electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis of proteins, the addition of supercharging agents allows for adjusting the maximal charge state, affecting the charge state distribution, and increases the number of ions reaching the detector thus, improving signal detection. We postulate that in di-substituted arene isomers, molecules with higher polarizability values should generate greater interactions and hence elicit higher signal intensities. Polarizability is an electronic parameter which has been demonstrated to predict many chemical interactions. Many properties can be predicted based on charge polarization. Molecular polarizability is a vital descriptor for explaining intermolecular interactions. We employed DFT (density functional/Hartree-Fock hybrid model, B3LYP)-derived descriptors and computed molecular polarizability for ten disubstituted arene reagents, each set made up of three (ortho, meta, para) isomers, with reported use as supercharging reagents during ESI experiments. The atomic electronic inputs were ionization potential (IP), electron affinity (EA), electronegativity (𝛘), hardness (η), chemical potential (µ), and dipole moment (D). We determined that the para isomers showed the highest polarizability values in nine of the ten sets. There was no difference between the ortho and meta isomers. Polarizability also increased with increasing complexity of the substituents on the benzene ring. Polarizability correlated positively with IP, EA, 𝛘, η, and D but correlated negatively with chemical potential. This DFT study predicts that the para isomers of di-substituted arene isomers should elicit the strongest ESI responses. An experimental comparison of the three isomers, especially of larger supercharging molecules, could be carried out to establish this premise.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Conference
• /
• 2002.10b
• /
• pp.59-60
• /
• 2002

In this digest, we briefly review our current molecular dynamics (MD) simulations that utilize both the reactive empirical bond order potential (REBO) and the adaptive intermolecular REBO (AIREBO) potential energy functions. The AIREBO potential includes intermolecular interactions, so that self·assembled monolayers, and liquids, can be modeled. We have examined the mechanical and tribological properties of model self assembled monolayers and amorphous carbon films. Self-assembled monolayers are modeled by covalently bonding hydrocarbon chains to diamond substrates. Because the REBO potentials can model chemical reactions, specific compression and sliding induced chemical reactions were identified.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.1469-1478
• /
• 2014

Use of acetonitrile in electrolytes promotes better operation of supercapacitors. Recent efforts show that electrolytes containing acetonitrile can also function in a wide range of operating temperatures. Therefore, this paper addresses the dielectric relaxation processes, structure and dynamic properties of the bulk acetonitrile at various temperatures. Systems of acetonitrile were modeled using canonical ensemble and simulated by employing Molecular Dynamics method. Results show that interactions among the molecules were correlated within a cut-off radius while parallel and anti-parallel arrangements are observed beyond this radius at relatively high and low temperatures respectively. Furthermore, effects of C-C-N and C-H bending modes were greatly appreciated on the power spectral density of time rate change of dipole-dipole correlations whereas frequency shifts were observed on all modes at the lowest temperature under consideration. Linear variations with temperature were depicted for reorientation times and self-diffusion coefficients. Shear viscosity was also computed with a good accuracy within a certain range of the temperature as well.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.901-906
• /
• 2018

Water and oxygen are two of the most essential molecules for many species on earth. Their unique properties have been studied in many areas of science. In this study, the interaction of water and oxygen molecules was observed at the nano-scale. Using molecular dynamics, a water droplet with 30,968 water molecules was simulated. Then, 501 oxygen molecules were introduced into the domain. A few oxygen molecules were attracted to the surface of the water droplet due to van der Waals forces, and some oxygen molecules actually entered the water droplet. These interactions were visualized and quantified at four temperatures ranging from 280 to 370 K. It was found that at high temperatures, there was a higher possibility of the oxygen molecules penetrating the water droplet than that at lower temperatures. However, at lower temperatures, oxygen molecules were more likely to be found interacting at the surface of the water droplet than at high temperatures.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.35.3-35.3
• /
• 2015

The central molecular zone (CMZ) is a region of rich molecular gas located in the inner few hundred parsecs in barred spiral galaxies. We study the size and morphology evolution of the CMZ of Milky Way-like galaxies both in isolation and in interaction by using N-body/hydrodynamic simulations. Specifically, we examine the gas flows and star formation activities in the central region of the galaxies. We focus in particular on the effects of galaxy interactions, including flybys and minor mergers, on the evolution of the CMZ.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.69-78
• /
• 2010

Asymmetric cell division is a fundamental mechanism for the generation of body axes and cell diversity during early embryogenesis in many organisms. During intrinsically asymmetric divisions, an axis of polarity is established within the cell and the division plane is oriented to ensure the differential segregation of developmental determinants to the daughter cells. Studies in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have contributed greatly to our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying cell polarity and asymmetric division. However, much remains to be elucidated about the molecular machinery controlling the spatiotemporal distribution of key components. In this review we discuss recent findings that reveal intricate interactions between translational control and targeted proteolysis. These two mechanisms of regulation serve to carefully modulate protein levels and reinforce asymmetries, or to eliminate proteins from certain cells.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.621-627
• /
• 2009

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by ataxia and progressive motor deterioration. SCA1 is associated with an elongated polyglutamine tract in ataxin-1, the SCA1 gene product. As summarized in this review, recent studies have clarified the molecular mechanisms of SCA1 pathogenesis and provided direction for future therapeutic approaches. The nucleus is the subcellular site where misfolded mutant ataxin-1 acts to cause SCA1 disease in the cerebellum. The role of these nuclear aggregates is the subject of intensive study. Additional proteins have been identified, whose conformational alterations occurring through interactions with the polyglutamine tract itself or non-polyglutamine regions in ataxin-1 are the cause of SCA-1 cytotoxicity. Therapeutic hope comes from the observations concerning the reduction of nuclear aggregation and alleviation of the pathogenic phenotype by the application of potent inhibitors and RNA interference.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.138-142
• /
• 2013

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 plays a vital role in the entry of the virus into the host cells. The crucial role of the glycoprotein suggests gp120 as potential drug target for the future antiviral therapies. Identification of the binding mode of small drug like compounds has been an important goal in drug design. In the current study we attempt to propose binding mode of indole derivatives in the binding pocket of gp120. These derivatives are reported to inhibit HIV-1 by acting as attachment inhibitors that bind to gp120 and prevent the gp120-CD4 interaction and thus inhibit the infectivity of HIV-1. To elucidate the molecular basis of the small molecules interactions to inhibit the glycoprotein function we employed the molecular docking simulation approach. This study provides insights to elucidate the binding pattern of indole-based gp120 inhibitors and may help in the rational design of novel HIV-1 inhibitors with improved potency.