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Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Proteins

OCT 01, 1987
Computer simulations are giving new insights into the nature of the structural fluctuations in proteins and the relation of these fluctuations to protein function.
Martin Karplus

Simulations have brought about a conceptual change in our understanding of biomolecules. Instead of viewing protein functions such as enzymatic catalysis only in terms of the structural data provided by high‐resolution x‐ray crystallography, one now recognizes the important role of the internal atomic motions. The average atomic positions corresponding to the x‐ray structure still allow discussion of many aspects of biomolecular function in the language of structural chemistry; however, the recognition of the importance of fluctuations opens the way for more sophisticated and accurate interpretations of biomolecular properties.

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References

  1. 1. M. Karplus, J. A. McCammon, CRC Crit. Rev. Biochem. 9, 293 (1981).

  2. 2. J. A. McCammon, B. R. Gelin, M. Karplus, Nature 267, 585 (1977).https://doi.org/NATUAS

  3. 3. B. R. Brooks, R. E. Bruccoleri, B. D. Olafson, D. J. States, S. Swaminathan, M. Karplus, J. Comput. Chem. 4, 187 (1983).https://doi.org/JCCHDD

  4. 4. R. Elber, M. Karplus, Science 235, 318 (1987).https://doi.org/SCIEAS

  5. 5. D. A. Case, M. Karplus, J. Mol. Biol. 132, 343 (1979).https://doi.org/JMOBAK

  6. 6. I. D. Campbell, C. M. Dobson, R. J. P. Williams, Adv. Chem. Phys. 39, 55 (1978).https://doi.org/ADCPAA

  7. 7. A. T. Brünger, G. M. Clore, A. M. Gronenborn, M. Karplus, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83, 3801 (1986).https://doi.org/PNASA6

  8. 8. D. Bashford, D. L. Weaver, M. Karplus, J. Biomol. Struct. Dyn. 1, 1243 (1984).https://doi.org/JBSDD6

More about the authors

Martin Karplus, Harvard University.

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This Content Appeared In
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Volume 40, Number 10

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