Molecular dynamics study of a complex between the human histocompatibility antigen HLA-A2 and the IMP58-66 nonapeptide from influenza virus matrix protein

Abstract

The structure of the influenza-virus-matrix-protein (IMP) 58-66 nonapeptide, bound to the major-histocompatibility-complex-encoded human leukocyte antigen (HLA) A2 protein was studied by molecular dynamics simulation. Starting from the extra electron density map of peptides co-crystallized with HLA-A2, the nonapeptide IMP58-66 was docked residue by residue in the protein binding cleft. The complex was simulated for 100 ps in a shell of 1372 water molecules. The averaged simulated HLA-A2 conformation was found to be similar to the crystal structure (0.182 nm RMS deviation, for the backbone atoms of the alpha 1-alpha 2 domain). Nine out of the 14 hydrogen bonds observed in the antigen-binding site were reproduced in the simulation. The IMP58-66 peptide exhibits an extended conformation with kinks at positions 3 and 5. The side chains of residues 2, 3 and 9 develop van der Waals' interactions with hydrophobic pockets of HLA-A2, corresponding to polymorphic residues of the major-histocompatibility-complex-encoded proteins. Both the N-terminus and C-terminus of the nonapeptide were anchored in the antigen-binding groove by hydrogen bonds with conserved amino acids. The N-terminus was more flexible and contacts four HLA-A2 conserved tyrosines (Tyr7, Tyr59, Tyr159 and Tyr171) and Glu63 by direct or water-relayed hydrogen bonds. Water intercalation occurred only around the N-terminus of the peptide, the C-terminal carboxylate forming strong hydrogen bonds with polar residues (Tyr84 and Thr143) and a salt bridge with Lys146 all over the molecular dynamics simulation. This model is fully compatible with the recently published crystal structure of the HLA-B27 protein, complexed by a mixture of self nonapeptides.