Crystal structure of Zika virus NS2B-NS3 protease in complex with a boronate inhibitor.
Lei, J., Hansen, G., Nitsche, C., Klein, C.D., Zhang, L., Hilgenfeld, R.(2016) Science 353: 503-505
- PubMed: 27386922 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aag2419
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
5LC0 - PubMed Abstract: 
The ongoing Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak is linked to severe neurological disorders. ZIKV relies on its NS2B/NS3 protease for polyprotein processing; hence, this enzyme is an attractive drug target. The 2.7 angstrom; crystal structure of ZIKV protease in complex with a peptidomimetic boronic acid inhibitor reveals a cyclic diester between the boronic acid and glycerol. The P2 4-aminomethylphenylalanine moiety of the inhibitor forms a salt-bridge with the nonconserved Asp(83) of NS2B; ion-pairing between Asp(83) and the P2 residue of the substrate likely accounts for the enzyme's high catalytic efficiency. The unusual dimer of the ZIKV protease:inhibitor complex seen in the crystal may provide a model for assemblies formed at high local concentrations of protease at the endoplasmatic reticulum membrane, the site of polyprotein processing.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Lübeck, Germany. German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Site, University of Lübeck, Germany.