Structural highlights
FunctionPLD4_HUMAN 5'->3' DNA exonuclease which digests single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Regulates inflammatory cytokine responses via the degradation of nucleic acids, by reducing the concentration of ssDNA able to stimulate TLR9, a nucleotide-sensing receptor. Involved in phagocytosis of activated microglia.[UniProtKB:Q8BG07] Publication Abstract from PubMedLysosomal exonuclease phospholipase D (PLD) family PLD3 and PLD4 degrade single-stranded RNA or DNA and regulate TLR7 or TLR9 responses. Polymorphisms of these enzymes are associated with human diseases: PLD4 is associated with inflammatory diseases, and PLD3 is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we determine the structures of substrate-bound PLD3 and PLD4 by cryo-electron microscopy. Our structures reveal that PLD3 rebuilds a substrate-binding pocket, depending on the substrate, mainly via motion of the Phe335-containing loop. Furthermore, we captured the structure in a metastable state that appears during substrate rearrangement following product release. Together, our findings identify the residues that underlie the distinct activities of PLD3 and PLD4. This study provides a mechanistic basis for the exonuclease activity of PLD3 and PLD4 in single-stranded DNA degradation. Mechanistic insights into single-stranded DNA degradation by lysosomal exonucleases PLD3 and PLD4 from structural snapshots.,Hirano Y, Ezaki W, Sato R, Ohto U, Miyake K, Shimizu T Nat Commun. 2025 Dec 11. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-66261-2. PMID:41381514[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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This page was last modified 05:29, 24 December 2025.