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ABSTRACT Mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) are responsible for the formation of amyloid-β peptides. These peptides play a role in Alzheimer's and other dementia-related diseases. The cargo binding domain of the kinesin-1 light chain motor protein (KLC1) may be responsible for transporting APP either directly or via interaction with C-jun N-terminal kinase-interacting protein 1 (JIP1). However, to date there has been no direct experimental or computational assessment of such binding at the atomistic level. We used molecular dynamics and free energy estimations to gauge the affinity for the binary complexes of KLC1, APP, and JIP1. We find that all binary complexes (KLC1:APP, KLC1:JIP1, and APP:JIP1) contain conformations with favorable binding free energies. For KLC1:APP the inclusion of approximate entropies reduces the favorability. This is likely due to the flexibility of the 42-residue APP protein. In all cases we analyze atomistic/residue driving forces for favorable interactions. Proteins 2017; 85:221-234. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the conformational preferences of two maleimide substituted cyclohexane derivatives proposed as scaffolds for HIV-1 fusion inhibitors is presented. Hybrid Low Mode-Monte Carlo (1:1) conformational searches using seven different force fields were performed in combination with the GBSA(water) solvent model. Low energy structures identified in this way were subjected to geometry optimization on the B3LYP/6-31G** surface. Solvent effects were included in the quantum calculation using the self-consistent reaction field model for water. Quantum results indicate that the 1,3,5-maleimide functionalized 1,3,5-methyl cyclohexane is more stable in the boat conformation, whereas 1,3,5-maleimide functionalized cyclohexane adopts the expected chair conformation with equatorial arms. None of the force fields studied was able to predict the unexpected preference for the boat conformation of 1,3,5-maleimide functionalized 1,3,5-methyl cyclohexane. Comparison of low energy and experimental structures was also performed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]