Structural insights into the stereochemistry of the cyclooxygenase reaction.

Cyclooxygenases are bifunctional enzymes that catalyse the first committed step in the synthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes and other eicosanoids. The two known cyclooxygenases isoforms share a high degree of amino-acid sequence similarity, structural topology and an identical catalytic mechanism. Cyclooxygenase enzymes catalyse two sequential reactions in spatially distinct, but mechanistically coupled active sites. The initial cyclooxygenase reaction converts arachidonic acid (which is achiral) to prostaglandin G2 (which has five chiral centres). The subsequent peroxidase reaction reduces prostaglandin G2 to prostaglandin H2. Here we report the co-crystal structures of murine apo-cyclooxygenase-2 in complex with arachidonic acid and prostaglandin. These structures suggest the molecular basis for the stereospecificity of prostaglandin G2 synthesis.

Synthesis and identification of conformationally constrained selective MMP inhibitors.

We have discovered a new series of potent conformationally constrained MMP Inhibitors that are selective for MMP-13 over MMP-1.

Structural basis for selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by anti-inflammatory agents.

Prostaglandins and glucocorticoids are potent mediators of inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exert their effects by inhibition of prostaglandin production. The pharmacological target of NSAIDs is cyclooxygenase (COX, also known as PGH synthase), which catalyses the first committed step in arachidonic-acid metabolism. Two isoforms of the membrane protein COX are known: COX-1, which is constitutively expressed in most tissues, is responsible for the physiological production of prostaglandins; and COX-2, which is induced by cytokines, mitogens and endotoxins in inflammatory cells, is responsible for the elevated production of prostaglandins during inflammation. The structure of ovine COX-1 complexed with several NSAIDs has been determined. Here we report the structures of unliganded murine COX-2 and complexes with flurbiprofen, indomethacin and SC-558, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, determined at 3.0 to 2.5 A resolution. These structures explain the structural basis for the selective inhibition of COX-2, and demonstrate some of the conformational changes associated with time-dependent inhibition.

Three-dimensional structure of human cytomegalovirus protease.

Herpesviruses encode a serine protease that specifically cleaves assembly protein. This protease is critical for replication, and represents a new target for antiviral drug design. Here we report the three-dimensional structure of the protease from human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) at 2.27 angstroms resolution. The structure reveals a unique fold and new catalytic strategy for cleavage. The monomer fold of the enzyme, a seven-stranded beta-barrel encircled by a chain of helices that form the carboxy terminus of the molecule, is unrelated to those observed in classic serine proteases such as chymotrypsin and subtilisin. The serine nucleophile at position 132 is activated by two juxtaposed histidine residues at positions 63 and 157. Dimerization, which seems to be necessary for activity, is observed in the crystals. Correlations of the structure with the sequences of herpesvirus proteases suggest that dimerization may confer specificity and recognition in substrate binding.

Using sampling techniques in protein crystallization.

The crystallization of homogeneous or highly purified macromolecules depends on many variables such as precipitant, pH, choice of buffer, protein concentration, temperature, the participation of different mono- and divalent ions, as well as the presence of minute amounts of detergent and organic molecules. Finding the best combination among these many parameters is a multi-variable optimization problem. This kind of problem can be treated mathematically by sampling techniques. We have used this technique for protein crystallization. The iterative procedure starts with random sampling, followed by quantitative evaluation and cycles with weighted sampling. A simple procedure, derived from this concept and called MON48, has been successfully applied to many protein crystallization problems.

Structure and topological symmetry of the glyphosate target 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase: a distinctive protein fold.

5-enol-Pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSP synthase; phosphoenolpyruvate:3-phosphoshikimate 1-carboxyvinyltransferase, EC 2.5.1.19) is an enzyme on the pathway toward the synthesis of aromatic amino acids in plants, fungi, and bacteria and is the target of the broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate. The three-dimensional structure of the enzyme from Escherichia coli has been determined by crystallographic techniques. The polypeptide backbone chain was traced by examination of an electron density map calculated at 3-A resolution. The two-domain structure has a distinctive fold and appears to be formed by 6-fold replication of a protein folding unit comprising two parallel helices and a four-stranded sheet. Each domain is formed from three of these units, which are related by an approximate threefold symmetry axis; in each domain three of the helices are completely buried by a surface formed from the three beta-sheets and solvent-accessible faces of the other three helices. The domains are related by an approximate dyad, but in the present crystals the molecule does not display pseudo-symmetry related to the symmetry of point group 32 because its approximate threefold axes are almost normal. A possible relation between the three-dimensional structure of the protein and the linear sequence of its gene will be described. The topological threefold symmetry and orientation of each of the two observed globular domains may direct the binding of substrates and inhibitors by a helix macrodipole effect and implies that the active site is located near the interdomain crossover segments. The structure also suggests a rationale for the glyphosate tolerance conferred by sequence alterations.

Preliminary crystallographic study of glycosylated recombinant human renin.

Single crystals of glycosylated recombinant human renin have been obtained using the hanging-drop vapor diffusion method with polyethylene glycol and sodium chloride as coprecipitants. The crystals belong to the cubic space group P2(1)3 with a = 143.0 A and contain two molecules of renin in the asymmetric unit. A self-rotation function study using 5.5 A data shows the orientation of a non-crystallographic 2-fold axis relating these two monomers.

Nitrogen fixation and nitrogenase activities in members of the family Rhodospirillaceae.

Strains of all 18 species of the family Rhodospirillaceae (nonsulfur photosynthetic bacteria) were studied for their comparative nitrogen-fixing abilities. All species, with the exception of Rhodocyclus purpureus, were capable of growth with N2 as the sole nitrogen source under photosynthetic (anaerobic) conditions. Most rapid growth on N2 was observed in strains of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata. Within the genus Rhodopseudomonas, the species R. capsulata, R. sphaeroides, R. viridis, R. gelatinosa, and R. blastica consistently showed the highest in vivo nitrogenase rates (with the acetylene reduction technique); nitrogenase rates in other species of Rhodopseudomonas and in most species of Rhodospirillum were notably lower. Chemotrophic (dark microaerobic) nitrogen fixation occurred in all species with the exception of one strain of Rhodospirillum fulvum; oxygen requirements for dark N2 fixation varied considerably among species and even within strains of the same species. We conclude that the capacity to fix molecular nitrogen is virtually universal among members of the Rhodospirillaceae but that the efficacy of the process varies considerably among species.