The Dissociation Process of NADP⁺ from NADPH-Cytochrome P450 Reductase Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) plays a vital role as a redox partner for mammalian cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s), facilitating the transfer of two electrons from NADPH to the P450 heme center in a sequential manner. Previous experimental studies revealed substantial domain movements of CPR, transitioning between closed and open states during the electron transfer (ET) cycle. These transitions are essential and are influenced by the binding of NADPH or the release of NADP⁺. However, the intricate molecular mechanisms governing the CPR-mediated ET cycle have largely remained elusive. This study employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulation techniques to explore the dissociation of NADP⁺ from CPR, a crucial step preceding the initial ET from CPR to a P450. Alongside the binding structure of NADP⁺ observed in a crystal structure (pose I), our MD simulations identified an alternative binding structure (pose II). Although pose II exhibits slightly lower stability than pose I, it can be formed through an approximate 210° counterclockwise rotation of the adenine group, with a free energy barrier of only 2.76 kcal/mol. The simulation results further suggest that NADP⁺ dissociation involves a tentative formation of pose II from pose I before complete dissociation, and that the binding of NADP⁺ to CPR is primarily governed by nonbonded interactions within the adenosine binding pocket.