Date of Award

Fall 12-17-2019

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Donald Hamelberg

Second Advisor

Gregory Poon

Third Advisor

Shahab Shamsi

Abstract

Understanding how conformational dynamics play a role in metabolic regulation is an important objective in various biological disciplines. Using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, we attempt to elucidate the dynamics involved in regulating two glycolytic enzymes: human liver pyruvate kinase (hL-PYK) and human enolase. Despite being metabolically coupled, both enzymes are regulated quite differently: hL-PYK can undergo allosteric modulation, while enolase is competitively inhibited. In the hL-PYK study, we discern a mechanism of allostery induced by the allosteric activator fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, and the inhibitor alanine. In the case of enolase, previous studies have attempted to make isoform-specific inhibitors of the enzyme; to further explore this objective, we compare the dynamics of two conserved isozymes, enolase 1 and 2, through MD simulations. As a proof of concept, we find compounds that discriminate between the two homologues by performing ensemble virtual screening on MD derived free enolase structures.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/15952165

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