A novel family of soluble minimal scaffolds provides structural insight into the catalytic domains of integral membrane metallopeptidases

Abstract

Background: Structural characterization of integral-membrane (IM) metallopeptidases (MPs) faces enormous technical hurdles. Results: We have discovered a novel family of minimal MPs, minigluzincins, and determined the crystal structures of the zymogens of two family members. Conclusion: Minigluzincins are valid models for catalytic domains of M48 and M56 family IMMPs. Significance: They provide a high resolution scaffold for the design of small molecule inhibitors of IMMPs. © 2013 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.