Transmembrane helix backbone dynamics
How to measure backbone dynamics?
The global stability of TMD secondary structure is investigated by Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy.
Measuring the kinetics of hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) reactions of helical TMDs provides a measure of their backbone dynamics. The HDX kinetics depend on the probability by which intrahelical hydrogen-bonds open and close. HDX is assayed by electrospray mass spectrometry.
Molecular Dynamics simulations (collaboration with Dr. Christina Scharnagl, TUM Physics Department) are done under similar conditions using the computational resources of the Munich Supercomputer Center. The simulations complement the experimental results in providing detailed insights into molecular details of helix dynamics.