Background:
Interaction of PD-1 protein (present on immune T-cell) with its ligand
PD-L1 (over-expressed on cancerous cell) makes the cancerous cell survive and thrive. The association of PD-1/PD-L1 represents a classical protein-protein interaction (PPI), where receptor and ligand binding through a large flat surface. Blocking the PD-1/PDL-1 complex formation can restore the normal immune mechanism, thereby destroying cancerous cells. However, the PD-1/PDL1 interactions are only partially characterized.
Objective:
We aim to comprehend the time-dependent behavior of PD-1 upon its binding with
PD-L1.
Method:
The current work focuses on a molecular dynamics simulation (MDs) simulation study
of apo and ligand bound PD-1.
method:
The current work focuses on a molecular dynamics simulation (MDs) simulation study of PD-1 with its ligand PD-L1.
Results:
Our simulation reveals the flexible nature of the PD-1, both in apo and bound form.
Moreover, the current study also differentiates the type of strong and weak interactions which
could be targeted to overcome the complex formation.
Conclusion:
The current article could provide a valuable structural insight about the target protein
(PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) which could open new opportunities in developing small molecule
inhibitors (SMIs) targeting either PD-1 or PD-L1.
other:
PD-1 (or CD279) is an inhibitory type I transmembrane receptor spotted on immune cells including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, and Natural Killer cells (NKs). Alternatively, its ligand (PD-L1 or CD274) is expressed on multiple tissue surfaces including majority of cancerous cells