Lack of dynamics in the MabA active site kills the enzyme activity: practical consequences for drug-design studies
Poncet-Montange, G., Ducasse-Cabanot, S., Quemard, A., Labesse, G., Cohen-Gonsaud, M.(2007) Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr 63: 923-925
- PubMed: 17642518 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S0907444907024158
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2NTN - PubMed 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.
Organizational Affiliation: 
CNRS UMR5048, Centre de Biochimie Structurale, F-34090 Montpellier, France.