Structural highlights
FunctionACES_TETCF Terminates signal transduction at the neuromuscular junction by rapid hydrolysis of the acetylcholine released into the synaptic cleft. May be involved in cell-cell interactions. Publication Abstract from PubMedThe transient opening of a backdoor in the active-site wall of acetylcholinesterase, one of Nature's most rapid enzymes, has been suggested to contribute to the efficient traffic of substrates and products. A crystal structure of Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase in complex with the peripheral-site inhibitor aflatoxin is now presented, in which a tyrosine at the bottom of the active site gorge rotates to create a 3.4 A wide exit channel. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the opening can be further enlarged by movement of Trp84. The crystallographic and molecular dynamics simulation data thus point to the interface between Tyr442 and Trp84 as the key element of a backdoor, whose opening permits rapid clearance of catalysis products from the active site. Furthermore, the crystallographic structure presented provides a novel template for rational design of inhibitors and reactivators, including anti-Alzheimer drugs and antidotes against organophosphate poisoning. Backdoor opening mechanism in acetylcholinesterase based on X-ray crystallography and MD simulations.,Sanson B, Colletier JP, Xu Y, Therese Lang P, Jiang H, Silman I, Sussman JL, Weik M Protein Sci. 2011 May 18. doi: 10.1002/pro.661. PMID:21594947[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences
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