Structure of the Cathelicidin Motif of Protegrin-3 Precursor: Structural Insights into the Activation Mechanism of an Antimicrobial Protein
2002
Sanchez, Jean-Frédéric | Hoh, François | Strub, Marie-Paule | Aumelas, André | Dumas, Christian
Cathelicidins are a family of antimicrobial proteins isolated from leucocytes and epithelia cells that contribute to the innate host defense mechanisms in mammalians. Located in the C-terminal part of the holoprotein, the cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide is liberated by a specific protease cleavage. Here, we report the X-ray structure of the cathelicidin motif of protegrin-3 solved by MAD phasing using the selenocysteine-labeled protein. Its overall structure represents a fold homologous to the cystatin family and adopts two native states, a monomer, and a domain-swapped dimer. This crystal structure is the first example of a structural characterization of the highly conserved cathelicidin motif and thus provides insights into the possible mechanism of activation of the antimicrobial protegrin peptide.
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