Prediction of Hydrodynamic and Other Solution Properties of Partially Disordered Proteins with a Simple, Coarse-Grained Model

The possibility of validating structures of intrinsically disordered proteins against solution properties is a goal that would be most helpful in the understanding of their function. We have devised a scheme for the prediction of solution properties of partially disordered proteins that comprise one or more ordered domains, along with flexible tails or linkers. A very simple, coarse-grained, residue-level model, which is easily parametrized using available structural information, along with previously developed tools for the simulation of solution conformation and dynamics, allows the prediction of properties like sedimentation coefficients, relaxation times, and X-ray or neutron scattering. This is demonstrated for a variety of partially disordered proteins, for which well-characterized solution properties are very accurately evaluated, with predictions falling in most cases within experimental errors.