Ca2+ and calmodulin play important roles in many physiologically crucial pathways. The conformational landscape of calmodulin is intriguing. Conformational changes allow for binding target-proteins, while binding Ca2+ yields population shifts within the landscape. Thus, target-proteins become Ca2+-sensitive upon calmodulin binding. Calmodulin regulates more than 300 target-proteins, and mutations are linked to lethal disorders. The mechanisms underlying Ca2+ and target-protein binding are complex and pose interesting questions. Such questions are typically addressed with experiments which fail to provide simultaneous molecular and dynamics insights. In this thesis, questions on binding mechanisms are probed with molecular dynamics simulations together with tailored unsupervised learning and data analysis. In Paper 1, a free energy landscape estimator based on Gaussian mixture models with cross-validation was developed and used to evaluate the efficiency of regular molecular dynamics compared to temperature-enhanced molecular dynamics. This comparison revealed interesting properties of the free energy landscapes, highlighting different behaviors of the Ca2+-bound and unbound calmodulin conformational ensembles. In Paper 2, spectral clustering was used to shed light on Ca2+ and target protein binding. With these tools, it was possible to characterize differences in target-protein binding depending on Ca2+-state as well as N-terminal or C-terminal lobe binding. This work invites data-driven analysis into the field of biomolecule molecular dynamics, provides further insight into calmodulin’s Ca2+ and targetprotein binding, and serves as a stepping-stone towards a complete understanding of calmodulin’s Ca2+-dependent conformational ensembles. / <p>QC 20180912</p>

One focus goal that science always works towards is an understanding of biological structures, with proteins being one of the main research goals. Sequencing proteins is currently a time-exhausting task, so focus is being put on trying to use nanopores in a similar way as in DNA sequencing for proteins. In this report, the neighbouring amino acids in the same peptide as the amino acid being sequenced are varied and the change in ionic current from the pore based on the neighbouring amino acids is analysed. This was done by using Molecular Dynamics program NAMD. A peptide was placed in the center of different silicon nitride pore structures inside a water box with ions and was simulated with an added electric field. The drop in current was checked for 4 different peptide systems and one check for the empty pores. The results presented in the report show that changing the neighbouring amino acids increases the current measured, therefore making the current blocking worse when mixing nearby amino acids. However, the differences are very small and similar amino acids give wildly different values. A larger evaluation with more computational power seems reasonable for a more definitive result.

This thesis presents a computational study of water and ion dynamics in modified hydrophobic silicon nitride (Si3N4) nanopores, aimed at enhancing protein sequenc- ing technologies. By employing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the research investigates the wetting-dewetting behavior within nanopores as an indirect measure of amino acid residue hydrophobicity, focusing on how post-translational modifications (PTMs) of lysine, particularly the acetylation of lysine residues, influence nanopore hydrophobicity and ionic conductance. The study reveals that nanopore radius and hydrophobicity significantly affect water and ion permeation, with smaller nanopores oscillating between open and closed states, while larger ones remain open.  Using umbrella sampling and the Weighted Histogram Analysis Method (WHAM), the potential of mean force (PMF) for potassium (K+), chloride (Cl−), and water within the nanopores was determined, showing distinct PMF profiles based on lysine and acetyl- lysine presence. The modulation of ionic currents as a tool for protein sequencing was explored, demonstrating that different amino acid residues affect ionic currents by par- tially blocking the pore and altering local permeability, thereby enabling differentiation based on size, shape, charge, and hydrophobicity.  The findings suggest that silicon nitride pore hydrophobicity can be tailored for nanopore sequencing, correlating changes in ionic currents with amino acid residue translocation. This research enhances the understanding of interactions within nanopore environments, potentially leading to more precise nanopore-based sequencing methods.

<p>This thesis focuses on peptides derived from the Prion, Doppel and Influenza haemagglutinin proteins in the context of bilayer interactions with model membranes and live cells. The studies involve spectroscopic techniques like fluorescence, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), circular and linear dichroism (CD and LD), confocal fluorescence microscopy and NMR.</p><p>The peptides derived from the Prion and Doppel proteins combined with their subsequent nuclear localization-like sequences, makes them resemble cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). mPrPp(1-28), corresponding to the first 28 amino acids of the mouse PrP, was shown to translocate across cell membranes, concomitantly causing cell toxicity. Its bovine counterpart bPrPp(1-30) was demonstrated to enter live cells, with and without cargo, mainly via macropinocytosis. The mPrPp(23-50) peptide sequence overlaps with mPrPp(1-28) sharing the KKRPKP sequence believed to encompass the driving force behind translocation. mPrPp(23-50) was however found unable to cross over cell membranes and had virtually no perturbing effects on membranes.</p><p>mDplp(1-30), corresponding of the first 30 N-terminal amino acids of the Doppel protein, was demonstrated to be almost as membrane perturbing as melittin. NMR experiments in bicelles implied a transmembrane configuration of its alpha-helix, which was corroborated by LD in vesicle bilayers. The positioning of the induced alpha-helix in transportan was found to be more parallel to the bilayer surface in the same model system.</p><p>Positioning of the native Influenza derived fusion peptide in bilayers showed no pH dependence. The glutamic acid enriched variant however, changed its insertion angle from 70 deg to a magic angle alignment relative the membrane normal upon a pH drop from 7.4 to 5.0. Concomitantly, the alpha-helical content dramatically rose from 18% to 52% in partly anionic membranes, while the native peptide’s helicity increased only from 39% to 44% in the same conditions.</p>

<p>Radiation damage limits the resolution in imaging experiments. Damage is caused by energy deposited into the sample during exposure. Ultrashort and extremely bright X-ray pulses from free-electron lasers (FELs) offer the possibility to outrun key damage processes, and temporarily improve radiation tolerance. Theoretical models indicate that high detail-resolutions could be realized on non-crystalline samples with very short pulses, before plasma expansion.</p><p>Studies presented here describe the interaction of a very intense and ultrashort X-ray pulse with material, and investigate boundary conditions for flash diffractive imaging both theoretically and experimentally. In the hard X-ray regime, predictions are based on particle simulations with a continuum formulation that accounts for screening from free electrons.</p><p>First experimental results from the first soft X-ray free-electron laser, the FLASH facility in Hamburg, confirm the principle of flash imaging, and provide the first validation of our theoretical models. Specifically, experiments on nano-fabricated test objects show that an interpretable image can be obtained to high resolution before the sample is vaporized. Radiation intensity in these experiments reached 10^14 W/cm^2, and the temperature of the sample rose to 60000 Kelvin after the 25 femtosecond pulse left the sample. Further experiments with time-delay X-ray holography follow the explosion dynamics over some picoseconds after illumination.</p><p>Finally, this thesis presents results from biological flash-imaging studies on living cells. The model is based on plasma calculations and fluid-like motions of the sample, supported by the time-delay measurements. This study provides an estimate for the achievable resolutions as function of wavelength and pulse length. The technique was demonstrated by our team in an experiment where living cells were exposed to a single shot from the FLASH soft X-ray laser.</p>

The work presented in this thesis has striven toward improving the capability to study proteins using infrared (IR) spectroscopy. This includes development of new and improved experimental and theoretical methods to selectively observe and simulate protein vibrations. A new experimental method of utilising adenylate kinase and apyrase as helper enzymes to alter the nucleotide composition and to perform isotope exchange in IR samples was developed. This method enhances the capability of IR spectroscopy by enabling increased duration of measurement time, making experiments more repeatable and allowing investigation of partial reactions and selected frequencies otherwise difficult to observe. The helper enzyme mediated isotope exchange allowed selective observation of the vibrations of the catalytically important phosphate group in a nucleotide dependent protein such as the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase. This important and representative member of P-type ATPases was further investigated in a different study, where a pathway for the protons countertransported in the Ca2+-ATPase reaction cycle was proposed based on theoretical considerations. The transport mechanism was suggested to involve separate pathways for the ions and the protons. Simulation of the IR amide I band of proteins enables and supports structure-spectra correlations. The characteristic stacking of beta-sheets observed in amyloid structures was shown to induce a band shift in IR spectra based on simulations of the amide I band. The challenge of simulating protein spectra in aqueous medium was also addressed in a novel approach where optimisation of simulated spectra of a large set of protein structures to their corresponding experimental spectra was performed. Thereby, parameters describing the most important effects on the amide I band for proteins could be determined. The protein spectra predicted using the optimised parameters were found to be well in agreement with experiment. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 5: Manuscript.</p>

Radiation damage limits the resolution in imaging experiments. Damage is caused by energy deposited into the sample during exposure. Ultrashort and extremely bright X-ray pulses from free-electron lasers (FELs) offer the possibility to outrun key damage processes, and temporarily improve radiation tolerance. Theoretical models indicate that high detail-resolutions could be realized on non-crystalline samples with very short pulses, before plasma expansion. Studies presented here describe the interaction of a very intense and ultrashort X-ray pulse with material, and investigate boundary conditions for flash diffractive imaging both theoretically and experimentally. In the hard X-ray regime, predictions are based on particle simulations with a continuum formulation that accounts for screening from free electrons. First experimental results from the first soft X-ray free-electron laser, the FLASH facility in Hamburg, confirm the principle of flash imaging, and provide the first validation of our theoretical models. Specifically, experiments on nano-fabricated test objects show that an interpretable image can be obtained to high resolution before the sample is vaporized. Radiation intensity in these experiments reached 10^14 W/cm^2, and the temperature of the sample rose to 60000 Kelvin after the 25 femtosecond pulse left the sample. Further experiments with time-delay X-ray holography follow the explosion dynamics over some picoseconds after illumination. Finally, this thesis presents results from biological flash-imaging studies on living cells. The model is based on plasma calculations and fluid-like motions of the sample, supported by the time-delay measurements. This study provides an estimate for the achievable resolutions as function of wavelength and pulse length. The technique was demonstrated by our team in an experiment where living cells were exposed to a single shot from the FLASH soft X-ray laser.

Biological membranes form a protective barrier around cells and cellular compartments. A broad range of biochemical processes occur in or at membranes demonstrating that they are not only of structural but also of functional importance. One important class of membrane proteins are membrane-associated glycosyltransferases. WaaG is a representative of this class of proteins; its function is to catalyze one step in the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides, which are outer membrane lipids found in Gram-negative bacteria. To study protein-membrane complexes by biophysical methods, one must employ membrane mimetics, i.e. simplifications of natural membranes. One type of membrane mimetic often employed in solution-state NMR is small isotropic bicelles, obloid aggregates formed from a lipid bilayer that is dissolved in aqueous solvent by detergent molecules that make up the rim of the bicelle. In this thesis, fast dynamics of lipid atoms in bicelles containing lipid mixtures that faithfully mimic plant and bacterial membranes were investigated by NMR relaxation. Lipids were observed to undergo a broad range of motions; while the glycerol backbone was found to be rigid, dynamics in the acyl chains were much more rapid and unrestricted. Furthermore, by employing paramagnetic relaxation enhancements an ‘atomic ruler’ was developed that allows for measurement of the immersion depths of lipid carbon atoms. WaaG is a membrane-associated protein that adopts a GT-B fold. For proteins of this type, it has been speculated that the N-terminal domain anchors tightly to the membrane via electrostatic interactions, while the anchoring of the C-terminal domain is weaker. Here, this model was tested for WaaG. It was found by a set of circular dichroism, fluorescence, and NMR techniques that an anchoring segment located in the N-terminal domain termed MIR-WaaG binds electrostatically to membranes, and the structure and localization of isolated MIR-WaaG inside micelles was determined. Full-length WaaG was also found to bind membranes electrostatically. It senses the surface charge density of the membrane whilst not discriminating between anionic lipid species. Motion of the C-terminal domain could not be observed under the experimental conditions used here. Lastly, the affinity of WaaG to membranes is lower than expected, indicating that WaaG should not be classified as a monotopic membrane protein but rather as a peripheral one. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 5: Manuscript.</p>

This thesis focuses on peptides derived from the Prion, Doppel and Influenza haemagglutinin proteins in the context of bilayer interactions with model membranes and live cells. The studies involve spectroscopic techniques like fluorescence, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), circular and linear dichroism (CD and LD), confocal fluorescence microscopy and NMR. The peptides derived from the Prion and Doppel proteins combined with their subsequent nuclear localization-like sequences, makes them resemble cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). mPrPp(1-28), corresponding to the first 28 amino acids of the mouse PrP, was shown to translocate across cell membranes, concomitantly causing cell toxicity. Its bovine counterpart bPrPp(1-30) was demonstrated to enter live cells, with and without cargo, mainly via macropinocytosis. The mPrPp(23-50) peptide sequence overlaps with mPrPp(1-28) sharing the KKRPKP sequence believed to encompass the driving force behind translocation. mPrPp(23-50) was however found unable to cross over cell membranes and had virtually no perturbing effects on membranes. mDplp(1-30), corresponding of the first 30 N-terminal amino acids of the Doppel protein, was demonstrated to be almost as membrane perturbing as melittin. NMR experiments in bicelles implied a transmembrane configuration of its alpha-helix, which was corroborated by LD in vesicle bilayers. The positioning of the induced alpha-helix in transportan was found to be more parallel to the bilayer surface in the same model system. Positioning of the native Influenza derived fusion peptide in bilayers showed no pH dependence. The glutamic acid enriched variant however, changed its insertion angle from 70 deg to a magic angle alignment relative the membrane normal upon a pH drop from 7.4 to 5.0. Concomitantly, the alpha-helical content dramatically rose from 18% to 52% in partly anionic membranes, while the native peptide’s helicity increased only from 39% to 44% in the same conditions.

One of the most important aspects for all life on this planet is theact to keep their cellular processes in a state where they do notreach equilibrium. One part in the upholding of this imbalanced stateis the barrier between the cells and their surroundings, created bythe cell membrane. In addition to experiments, the investigation ofprocesses occuring in the cell membrane can be performed by usingmolecular dynamics simulations. Through this method we can obtain anatomistic description of the dynamics associated with events that arenot accessible to experimental setups. Molecular dynamics relies onthe integration of Newton's equations of motion in order to sample therelevant parts of phase-space for the system, and therefore it isdependent on a correct description of the interactions between all thesimulated particles. In this thesis I first present an improved methodfor the calculation of long-range interactions in molecular dynamicssimulations, followed by a study of cholesterol's impact on thepermeation of small solutes across a lipid bilayer. The first paper presents a previously derived modification to theparticle-mesh Ewald method, which makes it possible to apply thisto long-range Lennard-Jones interactions. Old implementations of themethod have been haunted by an extreme performance degradation andhere I propose a solution to this problem by applying a modifiedinteraction potential. I further show that the historical treatmentof long-range interactions in simulations of lipid bilayers hasnon-negligible effects on their structural properties.In the second paper, this modification is improved such that the smallerrors introduced by the modified interaction potential becomenegligible. Furthermore, I demonstrate that I have also improved theimplementation of the method so that it now only incurs a performanceloss of roughly 15% compared to conventional simulations using theGromacs simulation package.The third paper presents a simulation study of cholesterol's effect onthe permeation of six different solutes across a variety of lipidbilayers. I analyze the effect of different head groups, tail lengths,and tail saturation by performing simulations of the solutes in fourdifferent bilayers, with cholesterol contents between 0% and50%. Analysis of the simulations shows that the impact of the surfacearea per lipid on the partitioning of the solute could be lower thanpreviously thought. Furthermore, a model with a laterallyinhomogeneous permeability in cholesterol-containing membranes isproposed, which could explain the large differences betweenpermeabilities from experiments and calculated partition coefficientsin simulations. / <p>QC 20140609</p>