Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Lipases are enzymes of biotechnological importance that function at the interface formed between hydrophobic and aqueous environments. Hydrophobic interfaces can induce structural transitions in lipases that result in an increase in enzyme activity, although the detailed mechanism of this process is currently not well understood for many lipases. Here, we present a multi-scale molecular dynamics simulation study of how different interfaces affect the conformational dynamics of the psychrophilic lipase M37. Our simulations show that M37 lipase is able to interact both with anionic lipid bilayers and with triglyceride surfaces. Interfacial interactions with triglyceride surfaces promote large-scale motions of the lid region of M37, spanning residues 235-283, revealing an entry pathway to the catalytic site for substrates. Importantly, these results suggest a potential activation mechanism for M37 that deviates from other related enzymes, such as Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase. We also investigated substrate binding in M37 by using steered MD simulations, confirming the open state of this lipase. The exposure of hydrophobic residues within lid and active site flap regions (residues 94-110) during the activation process provides insights into the functional effect of hydrophobic surfaces on lipase activation.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.12.012

Type

Journal article

Journal

Biochim Biophys Acta

Publication Date

03/2017

Volume

1859

Pages

340 - 349

Keywords

Conformational changes, Enzyme activation, Interfacial interactions, Molecular dynamics, Substrate binding