Molecular mechanisms, thermodynamics, and dissociation kinetics of knob-hole interactions in fibrin

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the structural, thermodynamic, and kinetic properties of knob-hole interactions in fibrin, revealing how environmental factors influence bond strength and dissociation pathways crucial for blood clot formation.

Contribution

It provides novel detailed insights into the molecular mechanisms and thermodynamic behavior of fibrin knob-hole interactions under various conditions, enhancing understanding of blood clot polymerization.

Findings

Knob-hole interactions are similarly strong but differ in dissociation pathways.

Bond strength varies with pH and temperature, affecting fibrin stability.

Structural changes during dissociation involve loop elongation and flap translocation.

Abstract

Polymerization of fibrin, the primary structural protein of blood clots and thrombi, occurs through binding of knobs 'A' and 'B' in the central nodule of fibrin monomer to complementary holes 'a' and 'b' in the beta- and gamma-nodules, respectively, of another monomer. We characterized the A:a and B:b knob-hole interactions under varying solution conditions using Molecular Dynamics simulations of the structural models of fibrin(ogen) fragment D complexed with synthetic peptides GPRP (knob 'A' mimetic) and GHRP (knob 'B' mimetic). The strength of A:a and B:b knob-hole complexes was roughly equal, decreasing with pulling force; yet, the dissociation kinetics were sensitive to variations in acidity (pH=5-7) and temperature (T=25-37 C). There were similar structural changes in holes 'a' and 'b' during forced dissociation of the knob-hole complexes: elongation of loop I, stretching of interior region, and translocation of the moveable flap. The disruption of the knob-hole interactions was not an "all-or-none" transition, as it occurred through distinct two-step or single-step pathways with or without intermediate states. The knob-hole bonds were stronger, tighter, and more brittle at pH=7 than at pH=5. The B:b knob-hole bonds were weaker, looser, and more compliant than the A:a knob-hole bonds at pH=7, but stronger, tighter, and less compliant at pH=5. Surprisingly, the knob-hole bonds were stronger, not weaker, at elevated temperature (T=37 C) compared to T=25 C due to the helix-to-coil transition in loop I, which helps stabilize the bonds. These results provide detailed qualitative and quantitative characteristics underlying the most significant non-covalent interactions involved in fibrin polymerization.