Dynamics of myoglobin: comparison of simulation results with neutron scattering spectra

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1990 Feb;87(4):1601-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.87.4.1601.

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to calculate the incoherent neutron scattering spectra of myoglobin between 80 K and 325 K and compared with experimental data. There is good agreement over the entire temperature range for the elastic, quasi-elastic, and inelastic components of the scattering. This provides support for the accuracy of the simulations of the internal motions that make the dominant contributions to the atomic displacements on a time scale of 0.3-100 ps (100-0.3 cm-1). Analysis of the simulations shows that at low temperatures a harmonic description of the molecule is appropriate and that the molecule is trapped in localized regions of conformational space. At higher temperatures the scattering arises from a combination of vibrations within wells (substates) and transitions between them; the latter contribute to the quasi-elastic scattering.

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Myoglobin / metabolism*
  • Neutrons
  • Protein Conformation
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Myoglobin