Modeling

To do

- Model allosteric interactions between LOVTAP & TrpR

What will be done:

- Model of LOVTAP in dark phase

- Model of LOVTAP in light phase

- Characterize how the J-alpha helix changes

- Model sturctural changes that enhance the switch feature of LOVTAP e.g. in dark phase: really weak interaction between LOVTAP and the corresponding DNA sequence, in light phase: strong binding of LOVTAP on DNA.

We will follow the following article protocol:
Freddolino, P.L., Dittrich M., Schulten K., Dynamic Switching Mechanisms in LOV1 and LOV2 Domains of Plant Phototropins. Biophysical Journal, 91, 3630-3639, 2006 ([http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pmc&cmd=search&term=PMC1630464 Pubmed])

- Model the fusion of LOV domain with other transcription factors

Implementation of the simulation

Steps are explained in a little bit more detail on this page: Simulation

To envisage

- Molecular mutationnal assay

Already done

We generated all the files needed to do the simulation, thanks to the tutorial of NAMD, which can be found on the following page:
http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Training/Tutorials/

Here is our first movie from the modeling, showing the behavior of the protein in the dark state condition: Dark State

After having modified some parameters in the parameter files, here is our second movie, concerning the light state of the protein this time, with the FMN: Light State with FMN without water