Unfolding stabilities of two paralogous proteins from Naja naja naja (Indian cobra) as probed by molecular dynamics simulations

Structurally similar but functionally different two paralogous proteins, CTX1 (a cardiotoxin) and LNTX2 (an alpha-neurotoxin), from venom of Naja naja naja have been homology modeled and subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at four different temperatures (298 K, 310 K, 373 K & 473 K) under close quarters of physiological conditions. Each MD simulation was performed for 25 ns and trajectory structures stored at every 25 ps were used to probe various structural events occurring in the temperature-induced unfolding of the proteins. Notwithstanding their similar scaffolds, the two proteins are drastically differing in their unfolding stabilities from each other. The structural orders of flexibilities for the CTX1 and LNTX2 were found to be loop II > loop III > loop I > C-terminal and C-terminal > loop I > loop III > loop II, respectively. Based on the comprehensive analyses of the simulation data and studies on the various structural interactions of all cardiotoxins (CTXs) and alpha-neurotoxins (NTXs) for which three-dimensional structures determined by experimental techniques are available to date, we have herein proposed a hypothesis ('CN network') rationalizing the differential stabilities of the CTXs and NTXs belonging to a three-finger toxin superfamily of snake venoms.