Leishmania TDR1 structure, a unique trimeric glutathione transferase capable of deglutathionylation and antimonial prodrug activation

Fyfe, P.K., Westrop, G.D., Silva, A.M., Coombs, G.H. and Hunter, W.N. (2012) Leishmania TDR1 structure, a unique trimeric glutathione transferase capable of deglutathionylation and antimonial prodrug activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 109(29), pp. 11693-11698. (doi: 10.1073/pnas.1202593109)

Abstract

Thiol-dependent reductase I (TDR1), an enzyme found in parasitic Leishmania species and Trypanosoma cruzi, is implicated in deglutathionylation and activation of antimonial prodrugs used to treat leishmaniasis. The 2.3 Å resolution structure of TDR1 reveals a unique trimer of subunits each containing two glutathione-S-transferase (GST) domains. The similarities of individual domains and comparisons with GST classes suggest that TDR1 evolved by gene duplication, diversification, and gene fusion; a combination of events previously unknown in the GST protein superfamily and potentially explaining the distinctive enzyme properties of TDR1. The deglutathionylation activity of TDR1 implies that glutathione itself has regulatory intracellular roles in addition to being a precursor for trypanothione, the major low mass thiol present in trypanosomatids. We propose that activation of antiparasite Sb(V)-drugs is a legacy of the deglutathionylation activity of TDR1 and involves processing glutathione adducts with concomitant reduction of the metalloid to active Sb(III) species.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Coombs, Professor Graham
• Authors: Fyfe, P.K., Westrop, G.D., Silva, A.M., Coombs, G.H., and Hunter, W.N.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
• ISSN: 0027-8424
• Published Online: 02 July 2012