Hydration-dependent dynamical transition in protein: protein interactions at approximately 240 K

Interprotein motions in low and fully hydrated carboxymyoglobin crystals are investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. Below approximately 240 K, the calculated dynamic structure factor exhibits a peak arising from interprotein vibration. Above approximately 240 K, the intermolecular fluctuations of the fully hydrated crystal increase drastically, whereas the low-hydration model exhibits no transition. Autocorrelation function analysis shows the transition to be dominated by the activation of diffusive intermolecular motion. The potential of mean force for the interaction remains quasiharmonic. The results indicate useful experimental avenues on protein:protein interactions to be explored using next-generation neutron sources.