Hi Justin--

> 
> I have a question about the alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) residue in
> protein-3.2.top.  Does the force field need an additional improper to enforce
> CA chirality?  Aping from the Glycine residue, something like
> 
> improper CB1 CB2 N C
> 
> I would like for CB2 to be proS and CA1 to be proR, for consistency with other
> amino acids.  If I use the attached script to make AIB-AIB-AIB (pdb and psf
> also attached) I find for residue 1 CB1 is proR and for residues 2 and 3
> CB2 is proR.  I guess it chooses at random? 
>

Right. The topology entry is incomplete without the improper you
mention above. However, you also need to add the corresponding
parameter lines:

 improper  CT   CT   NH1  C        $kchi    0   69.0    ! AIB
 improper  CT   CT   NH3  C        $kchi    0   69.0    ! AIB

Then the stereochemistry will be well-defined.

If this definition fits what you'd like, please let me know and I'll
add these entries to the default distributed Xplor-NIH
values. Otherwise, try flipping the sign of the improper. But please
let me know which you choose.

> The comments in the topology file mention that phi/psi are not restrained
> by dihedrals.  I understand why, in general, this is the proper strategy.  I
> believe I have a case where I can make diastereospecific assignment of AIB
> methyls from the data, though.  I would like to enforce a phi angle
> restraint.

For phi/psi you could use dihedral restraints. You might also enable
the 1-4 nonbonded term.

thanks--
Charles

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