Publication Abstract from PubMed
Mizoribine monophosphate (MZP) is the active metabolite of the immunosuppressive agent mizoribine and a potent inhibitor of IMP dehydrogenase (IMPDH). This enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of IMP to XMP with the concomitant reduction of NAD via a covalent intermediate at Cys319 (E-XMP). Surprisingly, mutational analysis indicates that MZP is a transition state analogue although its structure does not resemble that of the expected transition state. Here we report the X-ray crystal structure of the E.MZP complex at 2.0 A resolution that reveals a transition state-like structure and solves the mechanistic puzzle of the IMPDH reaction. The protein assumes a new conformation where a flap folds into the NAD site and MZP, Cys319, and a water molecule are arranged in a geometry resembling the transition state. The water appears to be activated by interactions with a conserved Arg418-Tyr419 dyad. Mutagenesis experiments confirm that this new closed conformation is required for the hydrolysis of E-XMP, but not for the reduction of NAD. The closed conformation provides a structural explanation for the differences in drug selectivity and catalytic efficiency of IMPDH isozymes.
The immunosuppressive agent mizoribine monophosphate forms a transition state analogue complex with inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase.,Gan L, Seyedsayamdost MR, Shuto S, Matsuda A, Petsko GA, Hedstrom L Biochemistry. 2003 Feb 4;42(4):857-63. PMID:12549902[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
