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Publication Abstract from PubMed

Mycobacterium tuberculosis R2-like ligand-binding oxidase (MtR2lox) belongs to a recently discovered group of proteins that are homologous to the ribonucleotide reductase R2 proteins. MtR2lox carries a heterodinuclear Mn/Fe cofactor and, unlike R2 proteins, a large ligand-binding cavity. A unique tyrosine-valine cross link is also found in the vicinity of the active site. To date, all known structures of R2 and R2lox proteins show a disordered C-terminal segment. Here, we present two new crystal forms of MtR2lox, revealing an ordered helical C-terminal. The ability of alternating between an ordered and disordered state agrees well with bioinformatic analysis of the protein sequence. Interestingly, ordering of the C-terminal helix shields a large positively charged patch on the protein surface, potentially used for interaction with other cellular components. We hypothesize that the dynamic C-terminal segment may be involved in control of protein function in vivo.

A Dynamic C-Terminal Segment in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mn/Fe R2lox Protein Can Adopt a Helical Structure with Possible Functional Consequences.,Andersson CS, Berthold CL, Hogbom M Chem Biodivers. 2012 Sep;9(9):1981-8. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.201100428. PMID:22976985^[1]

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