PMID: 20876133 , Related PDB ids: 3NQX, 3NQY, 3NQZ

Authors:

Gao X, Wang J, Yu DQ, Bian F, Xie BB, Chen XL, Zhou BC, Lai LH, Wang ZX, Wu JW, Zhang YZ

Title:

Structural basis for the autoprocessing of zinc metalloproteases in the thermolysin family.

Journal:

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Oct 12;107(41):17569-74. Epub 2010 Sep 27.

Abstract:

Thermolysin-like proteases (TLPs), a large group of zinc metalloproteases, are synthesized as inactive precursors. TLPs with a long propeptide ( approximately 200 residues) undergo maturation following autoprocessing through an elusive molecular mechanism. We report the first two crystal structures for the autoprocessed complexes of a typical TLP, MCP-02. In the autoprocessed complex, Ala205 shifts upward by 33 A from the previously covalently linked residue, His204, indicating that, following autocleavage of the peptide bond between His204 and Ala205, a large conformational change from the zymogen to the autoprocessed complex occurs. The eight N-terminal residues (residues Ala205-Gly212) of the catalytic domain form a new beta-strand, nestling into two other beta-strands. Simultaneously, the apparent T(m) of the autoprocessed complex increases 20 degrees C compared to that of the zymogen. The stepwise degradation of the propeptide begins with two sequential cuttings at Ser49-Val50 and Gly57-Leu58, which lead to the disassembly of the propeptide and the formation of mature MCP-02. Our findings give new insights into the molecular mechanism of TLP maturation.