Crystal structure of a new class of glutathione transferase from the model human hookworm nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus.
Schuller, D.J., Liu, Q., Kriksunov, I.A., Campbell, A.M., Barrett, J., Brophy, P.M., Hao, Q.(2005) Proteins 61: 1024-1031
- PubMed: 16189827 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/prot.20649
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1TW9 - PubMed Abstract: 
The crystal structure of GST Nu2-2 (HpolGSTN2-2) from the model hookworm nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus has been solved by the molecular replacement method and refined to a resolution of 1.71 A, providing the first structural data from a class of nematode-specific GSTs. By structural alignment with two Sigma class GSTs, glutathione could be rationally docked into the G-site of the enzyme. By comparing with all mammalian GST classes, a novel, long, and deep cleft was identified at the H-site, providing a potential site for ligand binding. This new GST class may support the establishment of infection parasitic nematodes by passively neutralizing chemical toxins derived from host environment. The structure serves as a starting point for structure-based drug/inhibitor design that would aim to selectively disrupt nematode chemical defenses.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-8001, USA.