PMID: 11696548 , Related PDB ids: 1EAW, 1EAX

Authors:

Friedrich R, Fuentes-Prior P, Ong E, Coombs G, Hunter M, Oehler R, Pierson D, Gonzalez R, Huber R, Bode W, Madison EL

Title:

Catalytic domain structures of MT-SP1/matriptase, a matrix-degrading transmembrane serine proteinase.

Journal:

J Biol Chem. 2002 Jan 18;277(3):2160-8. Epub 2001 Nov 5.

Abstract:

The type II transmembrane multidomain serine proteinase MT-SP1/matriptase is highly expressed in many human cancer-derived cell lines and has been implicated in extracellular matrix re-modeling, tumor growth, and metastasis. We have expressed the catalytic domain of MT-SP1 and solved the crystal structures of complexes with benzamidine at 1.3 A and bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor at 2.9 A. MT-SP1 exhibits a trypsin-like serine proteinase fold, featuring a unique nine-residue 60-insertion loop that influences interactions with protein substrates. The structure discloses a trypsin-like S1 pocket, a small hydrophobic S2 subsite, and an open negatively charged S4 cavity that favors the binding of basic P3/P4 residues. A complementary charge pattern on the surface opposite the active site cleft suggests a distinct docking of the preceding low density lipoprotein receptor class A domain. The benzamidine crystals possess a freely accessible active site and are hence well suited for soaking small molecules, facilitating the improvement of inhibitors. The crystal structure of the MT-SP1 complex with bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor serves as a model for hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor 1, the physiological inhibitor of MT-SP1, and suggests determinants for the substrate specificity.