Carl-Mikael Suomivuori

All Publications

• How GPCR Phosphorylation Patterns Orchestrate Arrestin-Mediated Signaling. Cell Latorraca, N. R., Masureel, M., Hollingsworth, S. A., Heydenreich, F. M., Suomivuori, C., Brinton, C., Townshend, R. J., Bouvier, M., Kobilka, B. K., Dror, R. O. 2020

  Abstract

  Binding of arrestin to phosphorylated G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) controls many aspects of cell signaling. The number and arrangement of phosphates may vary substantially for a given GPCR, and different phosphorylation patterns trigger different arrestin-mediated effects. Here, we determine how GPCR phosphorylation influences arrestin behavior by using atomic-level simulations and site-directed spectroscopy to reveal the effects of phosphorylation patterns on arrestin binding and conformation. We find that patterns favoring binding differ from those favoring activation-associated conformational change. Both binding and conformation depend more on arrangement of phosphates than on their total number, with phosphorylation at different positions sometimes exerting opposite effects. Phosphorylation patterns selectively favor a wide variety of arrestin conformations, differently affecting arrestin sites implicated in scaffolding distinct signaling proteins. We also reveal molecular mechanisms of these phenomena. Our work reveals the structural basis for the long-standing "barcode" hypothesis and has important implications for design of functionally selective GPCR-targeted drugs.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cell.2020.11.014

  View details for PubMedID 33296703

• Angiotensin and biased analogs induce structurally distinct active conformations within a GPCR. Science (New York, N.Y.) Wingler, L. M., Skiba, M. A., McMahon, C., Staus, D. P., Kleinhenz, A. L., Suomivuori, C., Latorraca, N. R., Dror, R. O., Lefkowitz, R. J., Kruse, A. C. 2020; 367 (6480): 888–92

  Abstract

  Biased agonists of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) preferentially activate a subset of downstream signaling pathways. In this work, we present crystal structures of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) (2.7 to 2.9 angstroms) bound to three ligands with divergent bias profiles: the balanced endogenous agonist angiotensin II (AngII) and two strongly beta-arrestin-biased analogs. Compared with other ligands, AngII promotes more-substantial rearrangements not only at the bottom of the ligand-binding pocket but also in a key polar network in the receptor core, which forms a sodium-binding site in most GPCRs. Divergences from the family consensus in this region, which appears to act as a biased signaling switch, may predispose the AT1R and certain other GPCRs (such as chemokine receptors) to adopt conformations that are capable of activating beta-arrestin but not heterotrimeric Gq protein signaling.

  View details for DOI 10.1126/science.aay9813

  View details for PubMedID 32079768

• Molecular mechanism of biased signaling in a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor. Science (New York, N.Y.) Suomivuori, C., Latorraca, N. R., Wingler, L. M., Eismann, S., King, M. C., Kleinhenz, A. L., Skiba, M. A., Staus, D. P., Kruse, A. C., Lefkowitz, R. J., Dror, R. O. 2020; 367 (6480): 881–87

  Abstract

  Biased signaling, in which different ligands that bind to the same G protein-coupled receptor preferentially trigger distinct signaling pathways, holds great promise for the design of safer and more effective drugs. Its structural mechanism remains unclear, however, hampering efforts to design drugs with desired signaling profiles. Here, we use extensive atomic-level molecular dynamics simulations to determine how arrestin bias and G protein bias arise at the angiotensin II type 1 receptor. The receptor adopts two major signaling conformations, one of which couples almost exclusively to arrestin, whereas the other also couples effectively to a G protein. A long-range allosteric network allows ligands in the extracellular binding pocket to favor either of the two intracellular conformations. Guided by this computationally determined mechanism, we designed ligands with desired signaling profiles.

  View details for DOI 10.1126/science.aaz0326

  View details for PubMedID 32079767

• Conformational transitions of a neurotensin receptor1-Gi1complex. Nature Kato, H. E., Zhang, Y., Hu, H., Suomivuori, C., Kadji, F. M., Aoki, J., Krishna Kumar, K., Fonseca, R., Hilger, D., Huang, W., Latorraca, N. R., Inoue, A., Dror, R. O., Kobilka, B. K., Skiniotis, G. 2019

  Abstract

  Neurotensin receptor1 (NTSR1) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that engages multiple subtypes of G protein, and is involved in the regulation of blood pressure, body temperature, weight and the response to pain. Here we present structures of human NTSR1 in complex with the agonist JMV449 and the heterotrimeric Gi1 protein, at a resolution of 3A. We identify two conformations: a canonical-state complex that is similar to recently reported GPCR-Gi/o complexes (in which the nucleotide-binding pocket adopts moreflexible conformations that may facilitate nucleotide exchange), and a non-canonical state in which the G protein is rotated by about 45degrees relative to the receptor and exhibits a more rigid nucleotide-binding pocket. In the non-canonical state, NTSR1 exhibits features of both active and inactive conformations, which suggests that the structure may represent an intermediate form along the activation pathway of G proteins. This structural information, complemented by molecular dynamics simulations and functional studies, provides insights into the complex process of G-protein activation.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41586-019-1337-6

  View details for PubMedID 31243364

• Energetics and dynamics of a light-driven sodium-pumping rhodopsin PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Suomivuori, C., Gamiz-Hernandez, A. P., Sundholm, D., Kaila, V. I. 2017; 114 (27): 7043–48

  Abstract

  The conversion of light energy into ion gradients across biological membranes is one of the most fundamental reactions in primary biological energy transduction. Recently, the structure of the first light-activated Na+ pump, Krokinobacter eikastus rhodopsin 2 (KR2), was resolved at atomic resolution [Kato HE, et al. (2015) Nature 521:48-53]. To elucidate its molecular mechanism for Na+ pumping, we perform here extensive classical and quantum molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of transient photocycle states. Our simulations show how the dynamics of key residues regulate water and ion access between the bulk and the buried light-triggered retinal site. We identify putative Na+ binding sites and show how protonation and conformational changes gate the ion through these sites toward the extracellular side. We further show by correlated ab initio quantum chemical calculations that the obtained putative photocycle intermediates are in close agreement with experimental transient optical spectroscopic data. The combined results of the ion translocation and gating mechanisms in KR2 may provide a basis for the rational design of novel light-driven ion pumps with optogenetic applications.

  View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.1703625114

  View details for Web of Science ID 000404576100060

  View details for PubMedID 28611220

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5502629

• GPR161 structure uncovers the redundant role of sterol-regulated ciliary cAMP signaling in the Hedgehog pathway. Nature structural & molecular biology Hoppe, N., Harrison, S., Hwang, S. H., Chen, Z., Karelina, M., Deshpande, I., Suomivuori, C. M., Palicharla, V. R., Berry, S. P., Tschaikner, P., Regele, D., Covey, D. F., Stefan, E., Marks, D. S., Reiter, J. F., Dror, R. O., Evers, A. S., Mukhopadhyay, S., Manglik, A. 2024

  Abstract

  The orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) GPR161 plays a central role in development by suppressing Hedgehog signaling. The fundamental basis of how GPR161 is activated remains unclear. Here, we determined a cryogenic-electron microscopy structure of active human GPR161 bound to heterotrimeric Gs. This structure revealed an extracellular loop 2 that occupies the canonical GPCR orthosteric ligand pocket. Furthermore, a sterol that binds adjacent to transmembrane helices 6 and 7 stabilizes a GPR161 conformation required for Gs coupling. Mutations that prevent sterol binding to GPR161 suppress Gs-mediated signaling. These mutants retain the ability to suppress GLI2 transcription factor accumulation in primary cilia, a key function of ciliary GPR161. By contrast, a protein kinase A-binding site in the GPR161 C terminus is critical in suppressing GLI2 ciliary accumulation. Our work highlights how structural features of GPR161 interface with the Hedgehog pathway and sets a foundation to understand the role of GPR161 function in other signaling pathways.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41594-024-01223-8

  View details for PubMedID 38326651

  View details for PubMedCentralID 8378848

• A positively tuned voltage indicator for extended electrical recordings in the brain. Nature methods Evans, S. W., Shi, D., Chavarha, M., Plitt, M. H., Taxidis, J., Madruga, B., Fan, J. L., Hwang, F., van Keulen, S. C., Suomivuori, C., Pang, M. M., Su, S., Lee, S., Hao, Y. A., Zhang, G., Jiang, D., Pradhan, L., Roth, R. H., Liu, Y., Dorian, C. C., Reese, A. L., Negrean, A., Losonczy, A., Makinson, C. D., Wang, S., Clandinin, T. R., Dror, R. O., Ding, J. B., Ji, N., Golshani, P., Giocomo, L. M., Bi, G., Lin, M. Z. 2023; 20 (7): 1104-1113

  Abstract

  Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) enable optical recording of electrical signals in the brain, providing subthreshold sensitivity and temporal resolution not possible with calcium indicators. However, one- and two-photon voltage imaging over prolonged periods with the same GEVI has not yet been demonstrated. Here, we report engineering of ASAP family GEVIs to enhance photostability by inversion of the fluorescence-voltage relationship. Two of the resulting GEVIs, ASAP4b and ASAP4e, respond to 100-mV depolarizations with ≥180% fluorescence increases, compared with the 50% fluorescence decrease of the parental ASAP3. With standard microscopy equipment, ASAP4e enables single-trial detection of spikes in mice over the course of minutes. Unlike GEVIs previously used for one-photon voltage recordings, ASAP4b and ASAP4e also perform well under two-photon illumination. By imaging voltage and calcium simultaneously, we show that ASAP4b and ASAP4e can identify place cells and detect voltage spikes with better temporal resolution than commonly used calcium indicators. Thus, ASAP4b and ASAP4e extend the capabilities of voltage imaging to standard one- and two-photon microscopes while improving the duration of voltage recordings.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41592-023-01913-z

  View details for PubMedID 37429962

• GPR161 structure uncovers the redundant role of sterol-regulated ciliary cAMP signaling in the Hedgehog pathway. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology Hoppe, N., Harrison, S., Hwang, S. H., Chen, Z., Karelina, M., Deshpande, I., Suomivuori, C. M., Palicharla, V. R., Berry, S. P., Tschaikner, P., Regele, D., Covey, D. F., Stefan, E., Marks, D. S., Reiter, J., Dror, R. O., Evers, A. S., Mukhopadhyay, S., Manglik, A. 2023

  Abstract

  The orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) GPR161 is enriched in primary cilia, where it plays a central role in suppressing Hedgehog signaling1. GPR161 mutations lead to developmental defects and cancers2,3,4. The fundamental basis of how GPR161 is activated, including potential endogenous activators and pathway-relevant signal transducers, remains unclear. To elucidate GPR161 function, we determined a cryogenic-electron microscopy structure of active GPR161 bound to the heterotrimeric G protein complex Gs. This structure revealed an extracellular loop 2 that occupies the canonical GPCR orthosteric ligand pocket. Furthermore, we identify a sterol that binds to a conserved extrahelical site adjacent to transmembrane helices 6 and 7 and stabilizes a GPR161 conformation required for Gs coupling. Mutations that prevent sterol binding to GPR161 suppress cAMP pathway activation. Surprisingly, these mutants retain the ability to suppress GLI2 transcription factor accumulation in cilia, a key function of ciliary GPR161 in Hedgehog pathway suppression. By contrast, a protein kinase A-binding site in the GPR161 C-terminus is critical in suppressing GLI2 ciliary accumulation. Our work highlights how unique structural features of GPR161 interface with the Hedgehog pathway and sets a foundation to understand the broader role of GPR161 function in other signaling pathways.

  View details for DOI 10.1101/2023.05.23.540554

  View details for PubMedID 37292845

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10245861

• Structural basis for activation of CB1 by an endocannabinoid analog. Nature communications Krishna Kumar, K., Robertson, M. J., Thadhani, E., Wang, H., Suomivuori, C. M., Powers, A. S., Ji, L., Nikas, S. P., Dror, R. O., Inoue, A., Makriyannis, A., Skiniotis, G., Kobilka, B. 2023; 14 (1): 2672

  Abstract

  Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are endogenous ligands of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), a G protein-coupled receptor that regulates a number of therapeutically relevant physiological responses. Hence, understanding the structural and functional consequences of eCB-CB1 interactions has important implications for designing effective drugs targeting this receptor. To characterize the molecular details of eCB interaction with CB1, we utilized AMG315, an analog of the eCB anandamide to determine the structure of the AMG315-bound CB1 signaling complex. Compared to previous structures, the ligand binding pocket shows some differences. Using docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and signaling assays we investigated the functional consequences of ligand interactions with the "toggle switch" residues F2003.36 and W3566.48. Further, we show that ligand-TM2 interactions drive changes to residues on the intracellular side of TM2 and are a determinant of efficacy in activating G protein. These intracellular TM2 rearrangements are unique to CB1 and are exploited by a CB1-specific allosteric modulator.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41467-023-37864-4

  View details for PubMedID 37160876

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10169858

• Insights into distinct signaling profiles of the OR activated by diverse agonists. Nature chemical biology Qu, Q., Huang, W., Aydin, D., Paggi, J. M., Seven, A. B., Wang, H., Chakraborty, S., Che, T., DiBerto, J. F., Robertson, M. J., Inoue, A., Suomivuori, C., Roth, B. L., Majumdar, S., Dror, R. O., Kobilka, B. K., Skiniotis, G. 2022

  Abstract

  Drugs targeting the mu-opioid receptor (muOR) are the most effective analgesics available but are also associated with fatal respiratory depression through a pathway that remains unclear. Here we investigated the mechanistic basis of action of lofentanil (LFT) and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MP), two muOR agonists with different safety profiles. LFT, one of the most lethal opioids, and MP, a kratom plant derivative with reduced respiratory depression in animal studies, exhibited markedly different efficacy profiles for G protein subtype activation and beta-arrestin recruitment. Cryo-EM structures of muOR-Gi1 complex with MP (2.5A) and LFT (3.2A) revealed that the two ligands engage distinct subpockets, and molecular dynamics simulations showed additional differences in the binding site that promote distinct active-state conformations on the intracellular side of the receptor where G proteins and beta-arrestins bind. These observations highlight how drugs engaging different parts of the muOR orthosteric pocket can lead to distinct signaling outcomes.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41589-022-01208-y

  View details for PubMedID 36411392

• Signaling snapshots of a serotonin receptor activated by the prototypical psychedelic LSD. Neuron Cao, C., Barros-Alvarez, X., Zhang, S., Kim, K., Damgen, M. A., Panova, O., Suomivuori, C., Fay, J. F., Zhong, X., Krumm, B. E., Gumpper, R. H., Seven, A. B., Robertson, M. J., Krogan, N. J., Huttenhain, R., Nichols, D. E., Dror, R. O., Skiniotis, G., Roth, B. L. 2022

  Abstract

  Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) 5-HT2-family receptors represent essential targets for lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and all other psychedelic drugs. Although the primary psychedelic drug effects are mediated by the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor (HTR2A), the 5-HT2B serotonin receptor (HTR2B) has been used as a model receptor to study the activation mechanisms of psychedelic drugs due to its high expression and similarity to HTR2A. In this study, we determined the cryo-EM structures of LSD-bound HTR2B in the transducer-free, Gq-protein-coupled, and beta-arrestin-1-coupled states. These structures provide distinct signaling snapshots of LSD's action, ranging from the transducer-free, partially active state to the transducer-coupled, fully active states. Insights from this study will both provide comprehensive molecular insights into the signaling mechanisms of the prototypical psychedelic LSD and accelerate the discovery of novel psychedelic drugs.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.08.006

  View details for PubMedID 36087581

• Autoantibody mimicry of hormone action at the thyrotropin receptor. Nature Faust, B., Billesbølle, C. B., Suomivuori, C. M., Singh, I., Zhang, K., Hoppe, N., Pinto, A. F., Diedrich, J. K., Muftuoglu, Y., Szkudlinski, M. W., Saghatelian, A., Dror, R. O., Cheng, Y., Manglik, A. 2022

  Abstract

  Thyroid hormones are vital to metabolism, growth and development1. Thyroid hormone synthesis is controlled by thyrotropin (TSH), which acts at the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR)2. Autoantibodies that activate the TSHR pathologically increase thyroid hormones in Graves' disease3. How autoantibodies mimic TSH function remains unclear. We determined cryogenic-electron microscopy structures of active and inactive TSHR. In inactive TSHR, the extracellular domain lies close to the membrane bilayer. TSH selects an upright orientation of the extracellular domain due to steric clashes between a conserved hormone glycan and the membrane bilayer. An activating autoantibody from a Graves' disease patient selects a similar upright orientation of the extracellular domain. Reorientation of the extracellular domain transduces a conformational change in the seven transmembrane domain via a conserved hinge domain, a tethered peptide agonist, and a phospholipid that binds within the seven transmembrane domain. Rotation of the TSHR extracellular domain relative to the membrane bilayer is sufficient for receptor activation, revealing a shared mechanism for other glycoprotein hormone receptors that may also extend to other G protein-coupled receptors with large extracellular domains.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41586-022-05159-1

  View details for PubMedID 35940205

• Cryo-EM, Protein Engineering, and Simulation Enable the Development of Peptide Therapeutics against Acute Myeloid Leukemia. ACS central science Zhang, K., Horikoshi, N., Li, S., Powers, A. S., Hameedi, M. A., Pintilie, G. D., Chae, H., Khan, Y. A., Suomivuori, C., Dror, R. O., Sakamoto, K. M., Chiu, W., Wakatsuki, S. 2022; 8 (2): 214-222

  Abstract

  Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has emerged as a viable structural tool for molecular therapeutics development against human diseases. However, it remains a challenge to determine structures of proteins that are flexible and smaller than 30 kDa. The 11 kDa KIX domain of CREB-binding protein (CBP), a potential therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia and other cancers, is a protein which has defied structure-based inhibitor design. Here, we develop an experimental approach to overcome the size limitation by engineering a protein double-shell to sandwich the KIX domain between apoferritin as the inner shell and maltose-binding protein as the outer shell. To assist homogeneous orientations of the target, disulfide bonds are introduced at the target-apoferritin interface, resulting in a cryo-EM structure at 2.6 A resolution. We used molecular dynamics simulations to design peptides that block the interaction of the KIX domain of CBP with the intrinsically disordered pKID domain of CREB. The double-shell design allows for fluorescence polarization assays confirming the binding between the KIX domain in the double-shell and these interacting peptides. Further cryo-EM analysis reveals a helix-helix interaction between a single KIX helix and the best peptide, providing a possible strategy for developments of next-generation inhibitors.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acscentsci.1c01090

  View details for PubMedID 35233453

• Atypical structural snapshots of human cytomegalovirus GPCR interactions with host G proteins. Science advances Tsutsumi, N., Maeda, S., Qu, Q., Vogele, M., Jude, K. M., Suomivuori, C., Panova, O., Waghray, D., Kato, H. E., Velasco, A., Dror, R. O., Skiniotis, G., Kobilka, B. K., Garcia, K. C. 1800; 8 (3): eabl5442

  Abstract

  Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) US28 and US27, which facilitate viral pathogenesis through engagement of host G proteins. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of US28 and US27 forming nonproductive and productive complexes with Gi and Gq, respectively, exhibiting unusual features with functional implications. The "orphan" GPCR US27 lacks a ligand-binding pocket and has captured a guanosine diphosphate-bound inactive Gi through a tenuous interaction. The docking modes of CX3CL1-US28 and US27 to Gi favor localization to endosome-like curved membranes, where US28 and US27 can function as nonproductive Gi sinks to attenuate host chemokine-dependent Gi signaling. The CX3CL1-US28-Gq/11 complex likely represents a trapped intermediate during productive signaling, providing a view of a transition state in GPCR-G protein coupling for signaling. Our collective results shed new insight into unique G protein-mediated HCMV GPCR structural mechanisms, compared to mammalian GPCR counterparts, for subversion of host immunity.

  View details for DOI 10.1126/sciadv.abl5442

  View details for PubMedID 35061538

• Selective G protein signaling driven by substance P-neurokinin receptor dynamics. Nature chemical biology Harris, J. A., Faust, B., Gondin, A. B., Damgen, M. A., Suomivuori, C., Veldhuis, N. A., Cheng, Y., Dror, R. O., Thal, D. M., Manglik, A. 2021

  Abstract

  The neuropeptide substance P (SP) is important in pain and inflammation. SP activates the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) to signal via Gq and Gs proteins. Neurokinin A also activates NK1R, but leads to selective Gq signaling. How two stimuli yield distinct G protein signaling at the same G protein-coupled receptor remains unclear. We determined cryogenic-electron microscopy structures of active NK1R bound to SP or the Gq-biased peptide SP6-11. Peptide interactions deep within NK1R are critical for receptor activation. Conversely, interactions between SP and NK1R extracellular loops are required for potent Gs signaling but not Gq signaling. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that these superficial contacts restrict SP flexibility. SP6-11, which lacks these interactions, is dynamic while bound to NK1R. Structural dynamics of NK1R agonists therefore depend on interactions with the receptor extracellular loops and regulate G protein signaling selectivity. Similar interactions between other neuropeptides and their cognate receptors may tune intracellular signaling.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41589-021-00890-8

  View details for PubMedID 34711980

• Molecular Mechanism of Biased Signaling in a Prototypical G-proteincoupled Receptor Suomivuori, C., Latorraca, N. R., Wingler, L. M., Eismann, S., King, M. C., Kleinhenz, A. W., Skiba, M. A., Staus, D. P., Kruse, A. C., Lefkowitz, R. J., Dror, R. O. CELL PRESS. 2020: 162A

  View details for Web of Science ID 000513023201061

• Absorption shifts of diastereotopically ligated chlorophyll dimers of photosystem I PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS Suomivuori, C., Fliegl, H., Starikov, E. B., Balaban, T., Kaila, V. I., Sundholm, D. 2019; 21 (13): 6851–58

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c9cp00616h

  View details for Web of Science ID 000464323400004

• Tuning the Protein-Induced Absorption Shifts of Retinal in Engineered Rhodopsin Mimics CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL Suomivuori, C., Lang, L., Sundholm, D., Gamiz-Hernandez, A. P., Kaila, V. I. 2016; 22 (24): 8254–61

  Abstract

  Rational design of light-capturing properties requires understanding the molecular and electronic structure of chromophores in their native chemical or biological environment. We employ here large-scale quantum chemical calculations to study the light-capturing properties of retinal in recently designed human cellular retinol binding protein II (hCRBPII) variants (Wang et al. Science, 2012, 338, 1340-1343). Our calculations show that these proteins absorb across a large part of the visible spectrum by combined polarization and electrostatic effects. These effects stabilize the ground or excited state energy levels of the retinal by perturbing the Schiff-base or β-ionone moieties of the chromophore, which in turn modulates the amount of charge transfer within the molecule. Based on the predicted tuning principles, we design putative in silico mutations that further shift the absorption properties of retinal in hCRBPII towards the ultraviolet and infrared regions of the spectrum.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/chem.201505126

  View details for Web of Science ID 000380269400029

  View details for PubMedID 27120137

• Exploring the Light-Capturing Properties of Photosynthetic Chlorophyll Clusters Using Large-Scale Correlated Calculations JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THEORY AND COMPUTATION Suomivuori, C., Winter, N. C., Haettig, C., Sundholm, D., Kaila, V. I. 2016; 12 (6): 2644–51

  Abstract

  Chlorophylls are light-capturing units found in photosynthetic proteins. We study here the ground and excited state properties of monomeric, dimeric, and tetrameric models of the special chlorophyll/bacteriochlorophyll (Chl/BChl) pigment (P) centers P700 and P680/P870 of type I and type II photosystems, respectively. In the excited state calculations, we study the performance of the algebraic diagrammatic construction through second-order (ADC(2)) method in combination with the reduced virtual space (RVS) approach and the recently developed Laplace-transformed scaled-opposite-spin (LT-SOS) algorithm, which allows us, for the first time, to address multimeric effects at correlated ab initio levels using large basis sets. At the LT-SOS-RVS-ADC(2)/def2-TZVP level, we obtain vertical excitation energies (VEEs) of 2.00-2.07 and 1.52-1.62 eV for the P680/P700 and the P870 pigment models, respectively, which agree well with the experimental absorption maxima of 1.82, 1.77, and 1.43 eV for P680, P700, and P870, respectively. In the P680/P870 models, we find that the photoexcitation leads to a π → π* transition in which the exciton is delocalized between the adjacent Chl/BChl molecules of the central pair, whereas the exciton is localized to a single chlorophyll molecule in the P700 model. Consistent with experiments, the calculated excitonic splittings between the central pairs of P680, P700, and P870 models are 80, 200, and 400 cm(-1), respectively. The calculations show that the electron affinity of the radical cation of the P680 model is 0.4 V larger than for the P870 model and 0.2 V larger than for P700. The chromophore stacking interaction is found to strongly influence the electron localization properties of the light-absorbing pigments, which may help to elucidate mechanistic details of the charge separation process in type I and type II photosystems.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.jctc.6b00237

  View details for Web of Science ID 000378016000013

  View details for PubMedID 27153186

• Coupled-Cluster Studies of Extensive Green Fluorescent Protein Models Using the Reduced Virtual Space Approach JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B Send, R., Suomivuori, C., Kaila, V. I., Sundholm, D. 2015; 119 (7): 2933–45

  Abstract

  Accurate predictions of photoexcitation properties are a major challenge for modern methods of theoretical chemistry. We show here how approximate coupled-cluster singles and doubles (CC2) calculations in combination with the reduced virtual space (RVS) approach can be employed in studies of excited states of large biomolecular systems. The RVS-CC2 approach is used for accurately predicting optical properties of the p-hydroxybenzylidene-dihydroimidazolinone (p-HBDI) chromophore embedded in green fluorescent protein (GFP) models using quantum mechanical calculations in combination with large basis sets. We study the lowest excited states for the isolated and protein-embedded chromophore in two different protonation states, and show how omitting high-lying virtual orbitals in the RVS calculation of excitation energies renders large-scale CC2 studies computationally feasible. We also discuss how the error introduced by the RVS approach can be systematically estimated and controlled. The obtained CC2 excitation energies of 3.13-3.27 and 2.69-2.77 eV for the two protonation states of different protein models are in excellent agreement with the maxima of the experimental absorption spectra of 3.12-3.14 and 2.61-2.64 eV, respectively. Thus, the calculated energy splitting between the excited states of the two protonation states is 0.44-0.52 eV, which agrees very well with the experimental value of 0.48-0.51 eV. The calculations at the RVS-CC2 level on the protein models show the importance of using large QM regions in studies of biochromophores embedded in proteins.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/jp5120898

  View details for Web of Science ID 000349942300017

  View details for PubMedID 25613980

• The role of solvent exclusion in the interaction between D124 and the metal site in SOD1: implications for ALS JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL INORGANIC CHEMISTRY Mera-Adasme, R., Suomivuori, C., Fierro, A., Pesonen, J., Sundholm, D. 2013; 18 (8): 931–38

  Abstract

  Structural changes in the metal site of the copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) are involved in the various mechanisms proposed for the pathogenesis of the SOD1-linked familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Elucidating how the metal site of SOD1 can be disrupted by ALS-linked mutations is important for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and for developing more efficient treatments. Residue D124, a second-sphere ligand of the copper and zinc ions, is known from experimental studies to be essential for the integrity of the metal-site structure. In this work, we used density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate which factors keep D124 attached to the metal site and how structural changes may disrupt the binding between D124 and the metal first-sphere ligands. The calculations show that D124 is kept attached to the metal site in a kinetic trap. The exclusion of solvent molecules by the electrostatic loop of the protein is found to create the binding of D124 to the metal site. The calculations also indicate that changes in the structure of the electrostatic loop of the protein can weaken the D124-metal site interaction, lowering the affinity of the zinc site for the metal. Destabilization of the electrostatic loop of SOD1 has been previously shown to be a common property of ALS-linked variants of the protein, but its role in the pathogenesis of SOD1-linked ALS has not been elucidated.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s00775-013-1039-8

  View details for Web of Science ID 000327406000006

  View details for PubMedID 24026444