PMID: 12705829 , Related PDB ids: 1MF2, 1MUU, 1MV8

Authors:

Snook CF, Tipton PA, Beamer LJ

Title:

Crystal structure of GDP-mannose dehydrogenase: a key enzyme of alginate biosynthesis in P. aeruginosa.

Journal:

Biochemistry. 2003 Apr 29;42(16):4658-68.

Abstract:

The enzyme GMD from Pseudomonas aeruginosa catalyzes the committed step in the synthesis of the exopolysaccharide alginate. Alginate is a major component of P. aeruginosa biofilms that protect the bacteria from the host immune response and antibiotic therapy. The 1.55 A crystal structure of GMD in ternary complex with its cofactor NAD(H) and product GDP-mannuronic acid reveals that the enzyme forms a domain-swapped dimer with two polypeptide chains contributing to each active site. The extensive dimer interface provides multiple opportunities for intersubunit communication. Comparison of the GMD structure with that of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase reveals the structural basis of sugar binding specificity that distinguishes these two related enzyme families. The high-resolution structure of GMD provides detailed information on the active site of the enzyme and a template for structure-based inhibitor design.