Structural Study of the DNA: Clock/Bmal1 Complex Provides Insights for the Role of Cortisol, hGR, and HPA Axis in Stress Management and Sleep Disorders.

Structural Study of the DNA: Clock/Bmal1 Complex Provides Insights for the Role of Cortisol, hGR, and HPA Axis in Stress Management and Sleep Disorders.
Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1195:59-71
Authors: Raftopoulou S, Nicolaides NC, Papageorgiou L, Amfilochiou A, Zakinthinos SG, George P, Eliopoulos E, Chrousos GP, Vlachakis D
Abstract
Herein, we deploy an in silico pipeline of structural bioinformatics, thermodynamics, and molecular dynamics to investigate the role of cortisol in circadian rhythms, biorhythms, stress response, and even sleep disorders. Our study shows that high concentrations of cortisol intercalate in the minor groove of DNA. This phenomenon widens the adjacent major grooves and provides the Clock/Bmal1 complex with more space to dock and interact with DNA. Then, the strong charges of cortisol pull the alpha helices of the Clock/Bmal1 complex and bend it inward, thus establishing stronger interactions and prolonged signaling. Our results indicate that elevated cortisol levels play an important role in stress, inflammation, and sleep disorders as a result of prolonged and stronger dsDNA - Clock/Bmal1 interactions.
PMID: 32468460 [PubMed - in process]

Source: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology - May 31, 2020 Category: Research Tags: Adv Exp Med Biol Source Type: research