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Three dimensional structure of Palmitoyl-Protein Thioesterase 1.

Palmitoyl-Protein Thioesterase 1 (PPT1) is a lysosomal enzyme that plays a role in the degradation of lipid-modified proteins. PPT1 receives its catalytic power from its catalytic triad, the α/β hydrolase fold, and its hydrophobic groove in order to remove fatty acid acyl groups, typically palmitate from cysteine residues in proteins. PPT1 demonstrates how proteins can be modified by different enzymes and induce biological changes. Misregulation of PPT1 modifications can cause various diseases, including infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, kufs disease, and late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Within these diseases, the production of PPT1 is decreased or eliminated completely, which leads to fatty acid buildup.

Structure

The secondary structure of PPT1 contains several α-helices and few β-sheets.

α/β Hydrolase Fold

The α/β Hydrolase Fold is common to many other hydrolases. This fold consists of β3-β8, αA, αB, αC, and αF. The α/β hydrolase fold has a central 6 stranded parallel Beta sheet. There is also a helix that is roughly perpendicular to the direction of the beta sheet. There is also a large insertion, containing 6 helices, that forms a second domain that encompasses most of the fatty acid binding site.

Catalytic Triad

The catalytic triad is composed of Ser115, His289, and Asp233, which is the same as the catalytic triad in chymotrypsin. A water molecule is occupying the oxyanion hole and it is hydrogen bonded to ser115.

Hydrophobic Groove

The hydrophobic binding groove is located in the second domain of PPT1, where palmitate mainly binds. The fact that palmitate has to bend to fit into the binding pocket suggests that this pocket is designed to bind an unsaturated fatty acid.

Function

Biological

PPT1 is biologically involved in sensory transduction and the vision process.

Molecular

The main molecular function of PPT1 is to breakdown lipid-modified proteins.

Medical Relevance

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