Calculation of the Absolute Rate of Human Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutases from Atomic-Level Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Based on the recently derived general expression for the rates of diffusion-controlled reactions, we calculate the rates of dismutation of the superoxide anion radical catalyzed by Cu/Zn superoxide dismutases (SOD). This is the first attempt to calculate the absolute rates of diffusion-controlled enzyme reactions based on the atomiclevel molecular dynamics simulations. All solvent molecules are included explicitly and the effects of the structural flexibility of enzyme, especially those of side chain motions near the active site, are included in the present calculation. In addition, the actual mobility of the substrate molecule is taken into account, which may change as the molecule approaches the active site of enzyme from the bulk solution. The absolute value of the rate constant for the wild type SOD reaction obtained from MD simulation is shown to be in good agreement with the experimental value. The calculated reactivity of a mutant SOD is also in agreement with the experimental result.