PMID: 17642518

Authors:

Poncet-Montange G, Ducasse-Cabanot S, Quemard A, Labesse G, Cohen-Gonsaud M

Title:

Lack of dynamics in the MabA active site kills the enzyme activity: practical consequences for drug-design studies.

Journal:

Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr. 2007 Aug;63(Pt 8):923-5. Epub 2007, Jul 17.

Abstract:

The MabA protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a validated drug target. Previous structural studies of this protein showed dynamic behaviour in the catalytic site and described motion between an open 'active' holo form (with NADP) and a closed 'inactive' apo form (without NADP). Here, a mutation (G139A) is reported that leads to complete protein inactivation and freezes the catalytic site into its closed form, even in the presence of the cofactor. This observation suggests a new way to develop anti-MabA drugs via protein stabilization of the 'inactive' form.