# A new view of missense mutations in α‐mannosidosis using molecular dynamics conformational ensembles

## TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to understand how distant mutations in an enzyme cause disease by affecting its structure and function.

## Contribution

The novel use of conformational ensembles to analyze the molecular impact of missense mutations in α-mannosidosis.

## Key findings

- Missense mutations in α-mannosidase affect protein stability, dynamics, and active site connectivity.
- Conformational ensembles reveal how remote mutations disrupt enzyme function in lysosomal storage disorders.
- The approach can help improve treatment strategies for these diseases by understanding mutation effects.

## Abstract

The mutation of remote positions on enzyme scaffolds and how these residue changes can affect enzyme catalysis is still far from being fully understood. One paradigmatic example is the group of lysosomal storage disorders, where the enzyme activity of a lysosomal enzyme is abolished or severely reduced. In this work, we analyze molecular dynamics simulation conformational ensembles to unveil the molecular features controlling the deleterious effects of the 43 reported missense mutations in the human lysosomal α‐mannosidase. Using residue descriptors for protein dynamics, their coupling with the active site, and their impact on protein stability, we have assigned the contribution of each of the missense mutations into protein stability, protein dynamics, and their connectivity with the active site. We demonstrate here that the use of conformational ensembles is a powerful approach not only to better understand missense mutations at the molecular level but also to revisit the missense mutations reported in lysosomal storage disorders in order to aid the treatment of these diseases.