Forced detachment of the CD2-CD58 complex.

ABSTRACT: The force-induced detachment of the adhesion protein complex CD2-CD58 was studied by steered molecular dynamics simulations. The forced detachment of CD2 and CD58 shows that the system can respond to an external force by two mechanisms, which depend on the loading rate. At the rapid loading rates of 70 and 35 pN/ps (pulling speeds of 1 and 0.5 A/ps) the two proteins unfold before they separate, whereas at slower loading rates of 7 and 3.5 pN/ps (pulling speeds of 0.1 and 0.05 A/ps), the proteins separate before the domains can unfold. When subjected to a constant force of 400 pN, the two proteins separated without significant structural distortion. These findings suggest that protein unfolding is not coupled to the adhesive function of CD2 and CD58. The simulations further confirm that sal

SUBMITTER: Bayas MV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1302789 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature