Download MendeleyStructures of an Alanine Racemase from Bacillus Anthracis (Ba0252) in the Presence and Absence of (R)-1-Aminoethylphosphonic Acid (L-Ala-P).
Au, K., Ren, J., Walter, T.S., Harlos, K., Nettleship, J.E., Owens, R.J., Stuart, D.I., Esnouf, R.M.(2008) Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 64: 327
- PubMed: 18453697
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S1744309108007252
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
2VD8, 2VD9 - PubMed Abstract:
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, has been targeted by the Oxford Protein Production Facility to validate high-throughput protocols within the Structural Proteomics in Europe project. As part of this work, the structures of an alanine racemase (BA0252) in the presence and absence of the inhibitor (R)-1-aminoethylphosphonic acid (L-Ala-P) have determined by X-ray crystallography to resolutions of 2.1 and 1.47 A, respectively. Difficulties in crystallizing this protein were overcome by the use of reductive methylation. Alanine racemase has attracted much interest as a possible target for anti-anthrax drugs: not only is D-alanine a vital component of the bacterial cell wall, but recent studies also indicate that alanine racemase, which is accessible in the exosporium, plays a key role in inhibition of germination in B. anthracis. These structures confirm the binding mode of L-Ala-P but suggest an unexpected mechanism of inhibition of alanine racemase by this compound and could provide a basis for the design of improved alanine racemase inhibitors with potential as anti-anthrax therapies.
Organizational Affiliation:
Oxford Protein Production Facility, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Oxford University, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, England.
