Langmuir, Vol.30, No.16, 4725-4733, 2014
Biomimetic Design of Platelet Adhesion Inhibitors to Block Integrin alpha 2 beta 1-Collagen Interactions: I. Construction of an Affinity Binding Model
Platelet adhesion on a collagen surface through integrin alpha 2 beta 1 has been proven to be significant for the formation of arterial thrombus. However, the molecular determinants mediating the integrin collagen complex remain unclear. In the present study, the dynamics of integrin-collagen binding and molecular interactions were investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and molecular mechanics-Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) analysis. Hydrophobic interaction is identified as the major driving force for the formation of the integrin-collagen complex. On the basis of the MD simulation and MM-PBSA results, an affinity binding model (ABM) of integrin for collagen is constructed; it is composed of five residues, including Y157, N154, S155, R288, and L220. The ABM has been proven to capture the major binding motif contributing 84.8% of the total binding free energy. On the basis of the ABM, we expect to establish a biomimetic design strategy of platelet adhesion inhibitors, which would be beneficial for the development of potent peptide-based drugs for thrombotic diseases.