Deciphering the selectivity of Bombyx mori pheromone binding protein for bombykol over bombykal: a theoretical approach

Chemphyschem. 2008 Dec 22;9(18):2785-93. doi: 10.1002/cphc.200800343.

Abstract

In this article we report calculations dedicated to estimate the selectivity of the Bombyx mori pheromone binding protein towards the two closely related pheromonal components Bombykol and Bombykal. The selectivity is quantified by the binding free-energy difference, obtained either by the thermodynamic integration or by the MM-GBSA approach. In the latter, the selectivity is decomposed on a per-residue basis, which identifies the residues considered crucial for the selectivity of the protein for Bombykol over Bombykal. A discussion on the role of Bombyx mori pheromone binding protein is provided on the basis of these results.

MeSH terms

  • Alkadienes / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Bombyx / chemistry*
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry*
  • Fatty Alcohols / chemistry*
  • Insect Proteins / chemistry*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Protein Binding
  • Thermodynamics*

Substances

  • Alkadienes
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Fatty Alcohols
  • Insect Proteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • pheromone-binding protein, Bombyx
  • bombykal
  • bombykol