Structure
Papain's polypeptide chain consists of 212 amino acid residues which fold to form a groove containing the active site between its two domains. Its
secondary structure consists of 17 beta sheet strands and 7 alpha helices giving it a composition 21% and 25% respectively. [1] The hydrogen bonds within the alpha helices are shorter than the typical alpha helix because of C=O being directed further away from the helical axis. Moreover, the beta sheet hydrogen bonding constraints and structural angles show great variation; hydrogen bonds in the sheets central tend to be shorter than on the fringes. Three disulfide bonds (yellow) serve to hold papain's tertiary structure together.
The active site primarily consist of three main residues Cys25-His159-Asn175 that resemble the catalytic triad of chymotrypsin [2][3]
Asp 158
Crystallization of the protease under conditions of 62% (w/w) methanol in water reveals water playing a crucial role in providing structural stability. The 21 internal water molecules surrounding adjacent papain molecules appear to form an encasement that limit protein to protein interaction [4].
Distribution of Residues
Papain has a scattered distribution of acidic and basic residues, but can be seen to have more basic residues than acidic shedding light into the application of its use as a digestive supplement. [5] Its polar and non-polar residues build on this picture with polar residues resting more on the outside and non-polar residues sequestering near the center. Observations have revealed that the proteins atomic positions are more ordered going from the center toward the outside [6]
Ligands interactions
Cathepsin L specific inhibitor
Primarily hydrogen bonds with non-water and hydrophobic interactions
interaction
- ↑ [1]9PAP PDB
- ↑ Wang J, Xiang YF, Lim C. The double catalytic triad, Cys25-His159-Asp158 and Cys25-His159-Asn175, in papain catalysis: role of Asp158 and Asn175. Protein Eng. 1994 Jan;7(1):75-82. PMID:8140097
- ↑ Ménard R, Khouri HE, Plouffe C, Dupras R, Ripoll D, Vernet T, Tessier DC, Lalberté F, Thomas DY, Storer AC. A protein engineering study of the role of aspartate 158 in the catalytic mechanism of papain. Biochemistry. 1990 Jul 17;29(28):6706-13. PMID:2397208 doi:10.1021/bi00480a021
- ↑ Kamphuis IG, Kalk KH, Swarte MB, Drenth J. Structure of papain refined at 1.65 A resolution. J Mol Biol. 1984 Oct 25;179(2):233-56. PMID:6502713
- ↑ [2] WebMD
- ↑ Kamphuis IG, Kalk KH, Swarte MB, Drenth J. Structure of papain refined at 1.65 A resolution. J Mol Biol. 1984 Oct 25;179(2):233-56. PMID:6502713