Binding modes of GDP, GTP and GNP to NRAS deciphered by using Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics simulations

Probing binding modes of GDP, GTP and GNP to NRAS are of significance for understanding the regulation mechanism on the activity of RAS proteins. Four separate Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD) simulations were performed on the apo, GDP-, GTP- and GNP-bound NRAS. Dynamics analyses suggest that binding of three ligands highly affects conformational states of the switch domains from NRAS, which disturbs binding of NRAS to its effectors. The analyses of free energy landscapes (FELs) indicate that binding of GDP, GTP and GNP induces more energetic states of NRAS compared to the apo NRAS but the presence of GNP makes the switch domains more ordered than binding of GDP and GNP. The information of interaction networks of ligands with NRAS reveals that the pi-pi interaction of residue F28 and the salt bridge interactions of K16 and D119 with ligands stabilize binding of GDP, GTP and GNP to NRAS. Meanwhile magnesium ion plays a bridge role in interactions of ligands with NRAS, which is favourable for associations of GDP, GTP and GNP with NRAS. This work is expected to provide useful information for deeply understanding the function and activity of NRAS.