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Crystal Structure of MGL

Background

Monoglyceride lipase is part of the α/β hydrolase family, having a Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad (Celemnte et al. 2012). MGL terminates the signaling of a primary endocannabinoid, 2-AG (Savinainen et al 2010). MGL is able to hydrolyze 2-arachidonoylglycerol into arachidonic acid and glycerol (Bertrand et al. 2010). One of the key features of MGL is the hydrophobic tunnel, which has been suggested to provide a model for drug research.

Metabolic Role

Monoglyceride lipase is able to hydrolyze monoacylglycerols into fatty acids and glycerol (Taschler et al. 2011). MGL degrades sn-1 and 2-MG at identical specific rates as a part of its metabolic role (Taschler et al. 2011).

Component of Endocannabinoid System

MGL degrades 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG). 2-AG is commonly classified as an endocannabinoid. In the brain endocannabinoids are released from postsynaptic neurons, causing the retrograde suppression of synaptic transmission (Taschler et al. 2011). In Peripheral tissues, EC is active in autonomic nervous system. EC affects processes such as learning, motor control, cognition, and pain (Taschler et al. 2011). EC is also able to regulate lipid metabolism and food intake (Taschler et al. 2011). Taschler et al. looked at the role of MGL in energy metabolism, finding that MGL deficiency in animals led to the buildup of 2-AG (Taschler et al. 2011).

Structure

MGL has eight-stranded β-sheet protein fold with seven parallel and one antiparallel strands (Bertrand et al. 2010).

Catalytic triad

Catalytic Triad of MGL structure

Binding

The ligand binding pocket of MGL has a large hydrophobic region with a polar bottom (Bertrand et al. 2010). Bertrand found that in MGL the binding pocket is not adjusted to the ligands shape. 2-archidonylglycerol are ligands for cannabinoid receptors (Clemente et al. 2012). Inhibition of MGL leads to increase in 2-AG levels since AG is broken down by MGL (Clemente et al. 2012). Through covalent interactions with a Cys residue, NAM, one of the many possible inhibitors, is able to inhibit MGL (Bertrand et al. 2010).

Ligand Binding Site

Ligand within the Overall Structure of MGL

Overall Reaction

Literature

Additional Resources

References

Savinainen, Juha R., Megumi Yoshino, Anna Minkkilä, Tapio Nevalainen, and Jarmo T. Laitinen. "Characterization of Binding Properties of Monoglyceride Lipase Inhibitors by a Versatile Fluorescence-based Technique." Analytical Biochemistry 399.1 (2010): 132-34

External links