Molecular dynamics simulations data of Caspase-3 enzyme with pentapeptide ligand DEVDG and its chiral mutant DEVdG having D-Asp at fourth position

Amino acids in proteins are maintained in one specific L chiral form in the body. D-amino acids are not normally incorporated into proteins and their accumulation has been associated with several conditions including schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other age-related disorders. However, the mechanisms by which the accumulation of D-amino-acids in proteins may lead to pathophysiological consequences remain poorly understood. In this work, we studied a model protease system, caspase-3 that specifically hydrolyses the 4’–5’ peptide bond of the pentapeptide substrate DEVDG. Through extensive molecular dynamics simulations, free energy calculations and distance maps, we reveal that caspase-3 naturally rejects the pentapeptide containing D-Asp substrate, DEVdG and prevents catalytic activity by caspase. The importance of this chiral discriminating capacity is evident from chiral-selective in vivo experimental assays to detect caspase-bound D-Asp in Drosophila where altering the chiral balance created impaired caspase activity and impaired apoptosis, increased tumour formation, and premature death. The modelling data reveals the molecular level charge balancing that enforces the chiral recognition necessary to maintain homeostasis across the cell, tissue, and organ level.