Amylose folding under the influence of lipids

Carbohydr Res. 2012 Dec 15:364:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2012.10.007. Epub 2012 Oct 17.

Abstract

The molecular dynamics simulation technique was used to study the folding and complexation process of a short amylose fragment in the presence of lipids. In aqueous solution, the amylose chain remains as an extended left-handed helix. After the addition of lipids in the system, however, we observe spontaneous folding of the amylose chain into a helical structure, with helical pitch and hydrogen bond network compatible with the V-amylose structure observed in X-ray experiments. Our results suggest that under the influence of external non polar ligands, the conformation of amylose undergoes a transition from an extended to a V-amylose structure in line with experimental evidence.

MeSH terms

  • 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine / chemistry*
  • Alkanes / chemistry
  • Amylose / chemistry*
  • Computational Biology / methods
  • Glycerides / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Macromolecular Substances / analysis
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Solutions / chemistry
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Static Electricity
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Alkanes
  • Glycerides
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Solutions
  • Solvents
  • Water
  • 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
  • Amylose
  • monoolein
  • nonane