Identification of RNA-binding sites in artemin based on docking energy landscapes and molecular dynamics simulation

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, P.O. Box 41335-1914, Rasht, I.R. Iran.

2 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-111, Tehran, I.R. Iran.

Abstract

There are questions concerning the functions of artemin, an abundant stress protein found in Artemia
during embryo development. It has been reported that artemin binds RNA at high temperatures in vitro, suggesting an RNA protective role. In this study, we investigated the possibility of the presence of RNA-binding
sites and their structural properties in artemin, using docking energy landscapes and molecular dynamics
simulation. Analysis of docking energy landscapes revealed sites in artemin with the potential of binding
RNAs. We found a good agreement between RNA binding sites of artemin and RNA-interacting sites of a
specific group of RNA-binding proteins called PUF, as regards to the type of their interactions with RNA molecules. Furthermore, the results from molecular dynamics simulation showed that firstly, the presence
of RNA molecule and its interaction with artemin cause significant decrease in the secondary structure content
of artemin; secondly, RNA-binding sites are mostly located in the low flexible regions. Finally, it seems that
these binding sites are distributed in such a way that leads RNA molecule into the interior of the protein,
strengthening the previous suggestion for RNA-protecting role of artemin.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Biotechnology
Volume 10, Issue 1
January 2012
Pages 8-15

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