Inhibition of a mitotic motor protein: where, how, and conformational consequences
Yan, Y., Sardana, V., Xu, B., Homnick, C., Halczenko, W., Buser, C.A., Schaber, M., Hartman, G.D., Huber, H.E., Kuo, L.C.(2004) J Mol Biol 335: 547-554
- PubMed: 14672662 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2003.10.074
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1Q0B - PubMed Abstract: 
We report here the first inhibitor-bound structure of a mitotic motor protein. The 1.9 A resolution structure of the motor domain of KSP, bound with the small molecule monastrol and Mg2+ x ADP, reveals that monastrol confers inhibition by "induced-fitting" onto the protein some 12 A away from the catalytic center of the enzyme, resulting in the creation of a previously non-existing binding pocket. The structure provides new insights into the biochemical and mechanical mechanisms of the mitotic motor domain. Inhibition of KSP provides a novel mechanism to arrest mitotic spindle formation, a target of several approved and investigative anti-cancer agents. The structural information gleaned from this novel pocket offers a new angle for the design of anti-mitotic agents.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA 19486, USA.