Insight into Conformational Change for 14-3-3σ Protein by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

14-3-3 sigma is a member of a highly conserved family of 14-3-3 proteins that has a double-edged sword role in human cancers. Former reports have indicated that the 14-3-3 protein may be in an open or closed state. In this work, we found that the apo-14-3-3 sigma is in an open state compared with the phosphopeptide bound 14-3-3 sigma complex which is in a more closed state based on our 80 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The interaction between the two monomers of 14-3-3 sigma in the open state is the same as that in the closed state. In both open and closed states, helices A to D, which are involved in dimerization, are stable. However, large differences are found in helices E and F. The hydrophobic contacts and hydrogen bonds between helices E and G in apo-14-3-3 sigma are different from those in the bound 14-3-3 sigma complex. The restrained and the mutated (Arg56 or Arg129 to alanine) MD simulations indicate that the conformation of four residues (Lys49, Arg56, Arg129 and Tyr130) may play an important role to keep the 14-3-3 sigma protein in an open or closed state. These results would be useful to evaluate the 14-3-3 sigma protein structure-function relationship.