Keywords
platelet - von Willebrand factor - salt bridge - molecular dynamic
Introduction
Platelet adhesion and cohesion under blood flow conditions are mediated exclusively
by the A1 domain of von Willebrand factor (VWF) located between the D3 and the A2
domain (residues ASP1269- PRO1472,[1]
[2] 23.87 kDa)[3] binding with glycoprotein (GP) Ibɑ, a receptor protein expressed on the surface
of platelet, regardless of the activation status of the platelets.[4]
[5]
[6]
[7] Specific binding characteristics of GPIbɑ binding with VWF include transient binding
without stabilization in the absence of specific modulators such as ristocetin that
was originally developed as antibiotics[8] but demonstrated to induce VWF-mediated platelet aggregation[9] or botrocetin which was purified from snake venom to induce VWF-mediated platelet
aggregations.[10]
[11]
[12]
[13] Transient platelet adhesion mediated by VWF binding with platelet GPIbɑ could be
detected under blood flow conditions,[4] but the binding is not stable without the contribution of another VWF/fibrinogen
receptor of GPIIb/IIIa alternatively named as integrin ɑIIbβ3, the function of which is activation dependent[14] on the absence of ristocetin or botrocetin.[15] Transient adhesion and cohesion of platelet under high shear flow condition plays
crucial roles in both thrombus formation and haemostasis.[5]
[16] Accordingly, the bleeding risk increases in conditions where either the quantity
or quality of platelet GPIbɑ and VWF are reduced.
The von Willebrand diseases (VWDs) were primarily characterized as bleeding disorders
induced by quantitative or qualitative abnormality of VWF.[17] Since the major functions of A1 domain of VWF in hemostasis and thrombus formation
are mediated by its binding with platelet GPIbɑ,[4]
[5]
[18]
[19] the functional abnormality in GPIbɑ also causes similar conditions: namely platelet
type VWD.[20]
[21] Mutations in platelet GPIbɑ cause VWD either by reducing (loss of function) or enhancing
(gain of function) its abilities to bind with VWF.[20]
[22]
[23] While the loss of function mutant(s) of GPIbɑ causes VWD because the GPIbɑ could
not bind with VWF, the gain of function mutant(s) of GPIbɑ causes VWD due to enhanced
consumption of larger multimers of VWF by stabilizing GPIbɑ binding with VWF even
in the absence of ristocetin.[24] Previous biological and crystallographic analysis revealed the importance of C-terminal
disulfide loop region (Cys209-Cys248) in GPIbɑ for its binding with VWF.[25]
[26]
[27] Indeed, both loss of and gain of function of GPIbɑ could be achieved by a single
amino acid substitution at G233 in GPIbɑ.[23]
[28]
[29] The biological functions of macromolecules such as VWF binding with GPIbɑ may be
influenced by a small change in their physical characteristics.[30] Previous biological experiments have shown that GPIbɑ with mutation at residue 233
have a distinct biological phenotype, although the theoretical mechanism is unknown.[23] This makes the G233 mutants as a suitable target for analysis.
The molecular dynamic (MD) simulation is a relatively novel technic for biology. The
strength of MD simulation is the ability to clarify the quantitative physical and
dynamic characteristics of protein–protein interactions including the binding of GPIbɑ
to VWF. Indeed, the binding energy equivalent potential of mean forces (PMFs) and
binding force in GPIbɑ binding with VWF were calculated by MD simulation.[31] Interlandi et al revealed the importance of salt bridge formation between amino
acids located at N-terminal linker in VWF and corresponding N-terminus region in GPIbɑ
by MD simulation.[32] Previous publications revealed that single amino-acid mutation at residue 233 located
in the β-switch in GPIbɑ causes biological loss and gain of function for binding with
VWF at various binding energies.[23]
[31] However, the salt bridge formation and noncovalent binding energy between VWF and
GPIbɑ mutants with various biological functions are still to be elucidated. A previous
report described that the dissociation energy of GPIbɑ with loss-of-function mutant
from VWF is only slightly lower compared with wild-type. Thus, we hypothesized that
the biological functions of macromolecules of VWF and GPIbɑ with various G233 mutants
are driven by small changes in their physical characteristics including salt-bridge
formation and attempted to test this hypothesis.
Methods
Molecular Dynamic Simulation
Initial Structure of Glycoprotein Ibɑ Binding with von Willebrand factor
The position coordinates and velocity vectors of all the atoms constructing the A1
domain of VWF (VWF: residues ASP(D):1269-PRO(P):1466) binding with the N-terminal
domain of platelet GPIbɑ (GPIbɑ: residues HIS(H):1-PRO(P):265) were solved by MD simulation
calculation as previously published.[2]
[31] The energetically most stable structure with a mass center distance between GPIbɑ
and VWF of 27.3 Å was selected as the initial structure of wild-type GPIbɑ bound with
VWF. The amino acid G233 at GPIbɑ in this structure was substituted by A, D, and V
to provide initial binding structures with VWF.
Molecular Dynamic Simulation Calculation
Water molecules modeled as Chemistry at Harvard Macromolecular Mechanics (CHARMM)
transferable intermolecular potential with three interaction sites were placed around
the molecules constructing VWF bound with wild-type and G233A, G233D, and G233V mutant
GPIbɑ.[33] Then, Newton's second law known as F (force) = M (mass) × A (acceleration) was solved
for all atoms constructing GPIbɑ, VWF, and water molecules around them with multidimensional
calculations using Nanoscale Molecular Dynamics (NAMD) software as previously published.[2]
[31] The effects of any modulators such as ristocetin were not considered. The calculation
was conducted on the computers equipped with four sets of NVIDIA Tesla V100 GPU (HPC5000-XSLGPU4TS,
HPC systems Inc., Tokyo, Japan). The CHARMM-36 was used as a governing force field.[34]
[35] The position coordinates and velocity vectors of each atom and water molecule were
calculated in each 2.0 femtosecond (10−15 s). The cut-off length of 12 Å was set as the maximum distance allowing direct interactions
of atoms as previously published.[2] Visual Molecular Dynamics (VMD) version 1.9.3 was used for visualization of the
results such as the snap-shot of the three-dimensional structure of VWF binding with
GPIbɑ from the position coordinates of atoms constructing VWF and GPIbɑ.[2]
[31]
Root Mean Square Deviations
In each calculated structure, the average distances between various atoms excluding
water molecules were calculated as the root mean square deviations (RMSDs). The RMSDs
were calculated every 10 ns from the beginning to the end of the calculation.
Noncovalent Binding Energy
The noncovalent binding energies between amino acids constructing GPIbɑ and VWF were
calculated with VMD and NAMD energy plugin (version 1.4) as described previously.[30]
[36]
[37]
[38] The noncovalent binding energy was expressed as kilocalorie per mole.
Salt Bridge Formation
Anionic carboxylate of either aspartic acid (N) or glutamic acid (E) is known to form
salt bridges with cationic ammonium (RNH3+) of lysine (K) or the guanidinium (RNHC(NH2)2+) of arginine (R).[39] Since the salt bridges were formed between positively charged portions and negatively
charged ones,[40] they formed bridges when the distance between these amino acids became less than
4 Å or closer.[41] Within all calculated structures, the presence of salt bridges was calculated by
the VMD plug-in software Salt Bridges Plugin (Version 1.1) as previously published.[42]
[43] The percentage of the time when the pairs of amino acids form salt bridges within
the calculation period was measured.
Statistical Analysis
The calculated results of RMSDs and noncovalent binding energy in each condition are
shown as mean ± standard deviation unless otherwise described. The values in wild-type
and each of G233A, G233D, and G233V mutant were compared by using two-tailed Student's
t-tests. p-Values less than 0.05 were considered to denote statistical significance.
Results
Initial Structure and Root Mean Square Deviations
Panel A in [Fig. 1] shows the position of G233 in the energetically stable structure of wild-type GPIbɑ
bound to VWF. Each picture in panel B shows the initial positions of amino acid at
233 in GPIbɑ in wild-type and the three mutants. The initial binding structure of
GPIbɑ and VWF were similar across wild-type and all the mutants.
Fig. 1 Initial structure of VWF and GPIbɑ in wild-type and the three mutants at G233. Panel
A shows the position of G233 in N-terminus domain of GPIbɑ (blue) binding with A1 domain of VWF (red). The initial positions of amino acid at 233 in wild-type (G) and the three mutants
of G233A, G233V, and G233D are shown in panel B. The negatively charged carboxylate
are shown in red, while the positively charged ammonium and guanidinium are shown
in blue.
[Fig. 2] shows the time-dependent changes in RMSDs of atoms constructing GPIbɑ and VWF excluding
water molecules in wild-type and the three mutants. RMSDs stabilized with a fluctuation
of less than 3 Å in all conditions within 600 ns of calculation.
Fig. 2 Time-dependent changes in the root mean square deviations (RMSDs) of atoms constructing
VWF and GPIbɑ. The RMSDs of atoms constructing VWF and GPIbɑ, excluding water molecules
were calculated every 10 ns are shown in wild-type (left upper panel), G233A (right upper panel), G233V (left lower panel), and G233D (right lower panel).
Noncovalent Binding Energy between Glycoprotein Ibɑ and von Willebrand factor
Noncovalent binging energy generated between wild-type GPIbɑ and VWF was −1096.7 ± 137.6
kcal/mol ([Fig. 3], [Table 1]). The noncovalent binding energy generated between G233A and G233V mutant GPIbɑ
with VWF were −929.8 ± 88.5 kcal/mol and −989.9 ± 94.0 kcal/mol, respectively. Both
were 15.3 and 9.7% lower than that generated in wild-type GPIbɑ binding with VWF,
respectively (p < 0.001 for both). For G233D mutant, the noncovalent binding energy generated between
GPIbɑ and VWF was −865.0 ± 139.1 kcal/mol which is 21.1% lower than the value in wild-type
GPIbɑ binding with VWF (p < 0.001). Time-dependent changes in noncovalent binding energy in all conditions
did not differ substantially ([Supplemental Fig. S1]).
Fig. 3 Noncovalent binding energy generated between VWF and wild type, G233A, G233V, and
G233D mutant of GPIbɑ. The means and standard deviations of noncovalent binding energy
generated between VWF and GPIbɑ at wild-type (dark purple), G233A (light blue), G233V (gray), and G233D (orange) are shown in kcal/mol.
Table 1
Noncovalent binding energy generated between VWF and GPIbɑ in wild-type and three
of the mutants
|
Mutation
|
Noncovalent binding energy
[kcal/mol]
|
p-Value
|
|
Wild-type
|
−1096.0
|
±
|
137.6
|
−
|
|
G233A
|
−929.8
|
±
|
88.5
|
<0.001
|
|
G233V
|
−989.9
|
±
|
94.0
|
<0.001
|
|
G233D
|
−865.0
|
±
|
139.1
|
<0.001
|
Salt Bridge Formation between Amino Acids in Glycoprotein Ibɑ and von Willebrand factor
Each panel of [Fig. 4] shows the percentages of time periods when each pair of salt bridge was formed during
the calculation period. [Fig. 5] shows the results with a heat map. Six pairs of salt bridges (D63-R571, D83-K569,
D106-K569, K237-D570, E14-R611, and E128-K608) were formed for more than 50% of the
calculation period in wild-type GPIbɑ binding with VWF. The distributions of time
periods where various sets of salt bridges formed between each set of amino acids
differ substantially among VWF binding with wild-type and the three G233 mutants of
GPIbɑ as shown in [Figs. 4] and [5]. The numbers of salt bridges formed for more than 50% of the time period in G233A-GPIbɑ
with VWF, G233V-GPIbɑ with VWF, and G233D-GPIbɑ with VWF were 6, 5, and 4, respectively.
In a sensitivity analysis, the number of salt bridges formed was 8 in wild-type GPIbɑ
binding with VWF when the cut-off value was set as 40% as shown in [Fig. 5]. In this condition, number of salt bridges formed more than 40% of calculating period
in VWF binding with G233A, V, and D mutants were 6, 7, and 5, respectively. Dynamic
structural fluctuation around these salts bridge during the calculation period in
each case is shown in [Supplemental Movies S1]
[S2]
[S3] to [S4].
Fig. 4 Probability of the presence of salt bridges formed between VWF and GPIba. The probabilities
of salt bridge formation for the pairs of amino acids in GPIbɑ-VWF shown at the bottom
of each panel are shown in red bar. The upper left panel shows the results of VWF
binding with wild-type GPIbɑ. The upper right, lower left, and lower right panel show
the results of VWF binding with G233A, G233V, and G233D mutants of GPIbɑ, respectively.
Thin black line in each panel shows the threshold of 50%.
Fig. 5 Probability of the presence of salt bridges formed between VWF and GPIbɑ. The probabilities
of the presence of each pair of amino acid forming salt bridge are shown in the heat
map. The pair of salt bridge formation more than 50% of calculation periods were shown
with the color including red. The number of salt bridge formed more than 50% is apparently
higher in wild-type and G233V mutant with VWF. The number of salt bridges is substantially
lower in G233D mutant.
Supplemental Movie S1 Results of MD calculations of VWF bound with wild-type GPIbɑ. The snap shots of VWF
(red) binding with GPIbɑ (blue) calculated as the position coordinates in each 10 ns were reconstructed as the 90
frames movie. The amino acids forming salt bridges for more than 50 were shown as
the Corey–Pauling–Koltun model (red in VWF and blue in GPIbɑ).
Supplemental Movie S2 Results of MD calculations of VWF bound with G233A GPIbɑ. The snap shots of VWF (red) binding with GPIbɑ (blue) calculated as the position coordinates in each 10 ns were reconstructed as the 90
frames movie. The amino acids forming salt bridges for more than 50 were shown as
the Corey–Pauling–Koltun model (red in VWF and blue in GPIba).
Supplemental Movie S3 Results of MD calculations of VWF bound with G233V GPIbɑ. The snap shots of VWF (red) binding with GPIbɑ (blue) calculated as the position coordinates in each 10 ns were reconstructed as the 90
frames movie. The amino acids forming salt bridges for more than 50 were shown as
the Corey–Pauling–Koltun model (red in VWF and blue in GPIbɑ).
Supplemental Movie S4 Results of MD calculations of VWF bound with G233D GPIba. The snap shots of VWF (red) binding with GPIba (blue) calculated as the position coordinates in each 10 ns were reconstructed as the 90
frames movie. The amino acids forming salt bridges for more than 50 were shown as
the Corey–Pauling–Koltun model (red in VWF and blue in GPIbɑ).
Discussion
Our MD simulation showed that the specific physical characteristics of the probability
of salt bridge formation were lower in VWF binding to G233D mutant of GPIbɑ generating
less noncovalent binding energy as compared with the binding to GPIbɑ in wild-type,
G233A, and G233V mutants. So far, the quantitative relationships between the physical
parameters of molecules such as noncovalent binding energy between VWF and GPIbɑ,
and their biological functions are still to be clarified. Our finding supporting lower
probabilities of salt bridge formation with less noncovalent binding energy in biological
loss of function mutation in G233D is in agreement with the hypothesis that the biological
functions of macromolecules could be influenced by small changes in their physiological
characteristics.[44] Indeed, the loss of VWF binding function in G233D mutant in GPIbɑ was associated
with only 21.1% reductions in noncovalent binding energy with only slightly low probabilities
of salt bridge formation between them.
One important and specific characteristic of VWF binding with GPIbɑ is that their
binding could be detected only under shear flow conditions or in the presence of specific
modulators of ristocetin or botrocetin unless with a specific gain of function mutants.[4]
[15]
[18]
[45]
[46] Our MD simulation was conducted in the absence of any modulators. Thus, our results
represent the conditions of transient VWF binding with GPIbɑ under shear flow conditions.
Our results suggest that the loss of VWF binding function in G233D GPIbɑ under shear
flow condition[23] is caused by a small change in the probabilities of salt bridge formation and slightly
lower noncovalent binding energy between GPIbɑ and VWF.
Despite numerous attempts,[15]
[19]
[47]
[48]
[49] an assay system accurately quantifying physical parameters of VWF binding with GPIbɑ
under shear flow conditions has not been established. MD simulation enabled to quantify
the physical parameters of VWF binding with GPIbɑ in wild-type and three G233 mutants.
The quantitative physical parameters obtained by our MD simulation such as noncovalent
binding energy in VWF and GPIbɑ provide a clue to understanding the biological function
of GPIbɑ and VWF in the absence of specific modulators where the bindings are transient.
The lowest numbers of salt bridge formations and lowest noncovalent binding energy
in VWF binding with the loss of function G233D mutant of GPIbɑ as compared with wild-type,
equal of function (G233A), and gain of function mutant (G233V) may suggest both the
salt bridges and noncovalent binding energy did not reach the threshold necessary
to keep the bond between the two molecules strong enough to resist against the fluid
shear force. Our results are in agreement with the idea that biological characteristics
of protein–protein interaction such as binding depend on the threshold of the probabilities
in salt bridge formation and the noncovalent binding energy in them. Yet, the quantitative
relationship between physical characteristics of protein bonds and their biological
function is still to be elucidated.
Phenotype of the “loss of function” mutants results in a higher risk of bleeding.
It is interesting that the bleeding risks were also increased in the “gain of function”
mutants. Higher bleeding risk in “gain of function” mutants was explained by the consumption
of larger multimers of VWF by their binding with platelets.[22]
[50] Our MD calculation did not provide a direct clue to explain the behavior of the
“gain of function mutant” of G233V by the number of salt bridges or noncovalent binding
energy. It is of note that our MD calculation was started from the structure of VWF
bound with GPIbɑ in an energetically stable manner. The structural characteristic
of VWF bound with GPIbɑ may differ substantially under the condition where external
forces generated by blood flow to the platelet are applied to these molecules.[51] Moreover, the focus of our simulation calculations is to quantify the physical parameters
of molecules at nanometer scale (10−9 meter) from the physical behaviors of atomic at Å scale (10−10 meter). The clinical events of bleeding occur in organ at a millimeter scale (10−3 meter). Our MD simulation results are helpful to understand the binding functions
of VWF and GPIbɑ at the molecule level but hard to apply directly to dissect the mechanism
of the increased risk of bleeding in G233 mutants.
MD calculations provide precise dynamic structures and their physical parameters of
target protein even in the presence of interaction with other proteins by calculation
with the fundamental law of simple Newton's equation. There is a potential methodological
limitation to obtain physical parameters of target molecules from the sum of Newton's
equation because the physical movements of atoms sharing electrical cloud should follow
the probability-dependent quantum mechanics. In our calculations, quantum mechanics
were coarse grained into molecular mechanics by using the CHARMM force field.[52]
[53] Despite the fact that the validity of CHARMM force field has been confirmed in various
macromolecules,[52]
[54] coarse graining quantum mechanics into molecular mechanics may induce errors. So
far, the biochemical characteristics of VWF binding with GPIbɑ predicted by MD with
CHARMM force field[2] were in agreements with the results from other biochemical experiments in a qualitative
manner.[55]
[56] The lower numbers of salt bridges and noncovalent binding energy in VWF binding
with G233D mutant of GPIbɑ are in agreements with qualitative biological function
of G233D mutant. Our findings agree with the hypothesis that the biological functions
of macromolecules could be influenced by small changes in their physiological parameters.
The quantitative relationships between the calculated physical parameters of target
protein interactions and their biological function are still to be elucidated.
In conclusion, our results showing lower probability of salt bridge formation with
less noncovalent binding energy in loss of function mutant of G233D GPIbɑ as compared
with wild-type, G233A, and G233V in regard to the binding with VWF support the notion
that the biological functions of macromolecules could be influenced by only small
changes in their physiological parameters. Further investigations are necessary to
dissect the mechanism of the gain of function achieve by G233V mutation.
What is Known About This Topic?
-
Platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ibɑ binding with the A1 domain of von Willebrand factor
(VWF) plays a crucial role in platelet adhesion under the high wall shear stress condition.
-
A single amino acid mutation at residue 233 of platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ibɑ from
glycine (G) to alanine (A), aspartic acid (D), and valine (V) results in equal, loss,
and gain of function, respectively, for the binding with VWF.
-
The analysis of potential of mean force (PMF) revealed that the dissociation energy
for VWF binding with GPIbɑ was 4.32 kcal/mol (19.5%) lower in VWF binding with G233D
mutant than that with the wild-type.
What does This Paper Add?
-
There were six salt bridges detected for more than 50% of the calculation period in
wild-type GPIbɑ binding with A1 domain of VWF generating a noncovalent binding energy
of −1096 ± 137.6 kcal/mol.
-
Only four pairs of salt bridges with noncovalent binding energy of −865 ± 139 were
present for over 50% of the calculation period in G233D GPIbɑ binding with VWF.
-
There were six and five pairs of salt bridges generating −929.8 ± 88.5 and −989.9 ± 94.0
kcal/mol of noncovalent binding energy in G233A and G233V mutant-GPIbɑ binding with
VWF.
-
The biological loss of function of G233D mutant-GPIba binding with VWF was associated
with the physical characteristics of slightly less probability of salt bridge formation
with slightly lower noncovalent binding energy in their binding.