5n4e

Publication Abstract from PubMed

Peptide macrocycles are promising therapeutic molecules because they are protease resistant, structurally rigid, membrane permeable, and capable of modulating protein-protein interactions. Here, we report the characterization of the dual function macrocyclase-peptidase enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the highly toxic amanitin toxin family of macrocycles. The enzyme first removes 10 residues from the N-terminus of a 35-residue substrate. Conformational trapping of the 25 amino-acid peptide forces the enzyme to release this intermediate rather than proceed to macrocyclization. The enzyme rebinds the 25 amino-acid peptide in a different conformation and catalyzes macrocyclization of the N-terminal eight residues. Structures of the enzyme bound to both substrates and biophysical analysis characterize the different binding modes rationalizing the mechanism. Using these insights simpler substrates with only five C-terminal residues were designed, allowing the enzyme to be more effectively exploited in biotechnology.

Characterization of a dual function macrocyclase enables design and use of efficient macrocyclization substrates.,Czekster CM, Ludewig H, McMahon SA, Naismith JH Nat Commun. 2017 Oct 19;8(1):1045. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00862-4. PMID:29051530^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.