Structure of the ATP synthase catalytic complex (F(1)) from Escherichia coli in an autoinhibited conformation.

ATP synthase is a membrane-bound rotary motor enzyme that is critical for cellular energy metabolism in all kingdoms of life. Despite conservation of its basic structure and function, autoinhibition by one of its rotary stalk subunits occurs in bacteria and chloroplasts but not in mitochondria. The crystal structure of the ATP synthase catalytic complex (F(1)) from Escherichia coli described here reveals the structural basis for this inhibition. The C-terminal domain of subunit ɛ adopts a heretofore unknown, highly extended conformation that inserts deeply into the central cavity of the enzyme and engages both rotor and stator subunits in extensive contacts that are incompatible with functional rotation. As a result, the three catalytic subunits are stabilized in a set of conformations and rotational positions distinct from previous F(1) structures

The dynamic stator stalk of rotary ATPases

Rotary ATPases couple ATP hydrolysis/synthesis with proton translocation across biological membranes and so are central components of the biological energy conversion machinery. Their peripheral stalks are essential components that counteract torque generated by rotation of the central stalk during ATP synthesis or hydrolysis. Here we present a 2.25-Å resolution crystal structure of the peripheral stalk from Thermus thermophilus A-type ATPase/synthase. We identify bending and twisting motions inherent within the structure that accommodate and complement a radial wobbling of the ATPase headgroup as it progresses through its catalytic cycles, while still retaining azimuthal stiffness necessary to counteract rotation of the central stalk. The conformational freedom of the peripheral stalk is dictated by its unusual right-handed coiled-coil architecture, which is in principle conserved across all rotary ATPases. In context of the intact enzyme, the dynamics of the peripheral stalks provides a potential mechanism for cooperativity between distant parts of rotary ATPases

Conformational flexibility of carpaine and its hydrobromide derivative

This article does not have an abstract

Structure of azadirachtin-I, 11 β-H epimer

The 11 β-H epimer of Azadirachtin-I, isolated from the seed kernels of Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem), was characterized by both NMR and X-ray crystallographic techniques. NMR data reveals that the H11 proton is in β-orientation and the X-ray studies confirm this observation. The compound crystallized in space group P21 with the cell parameters a = 11.933(2) Å, b = 7.752(5) Å, c = 17.241(9) Å, β= 106.80(3)°. Though the structural features are similar to the 11 β-H epimer of Azadirachtin-H, the orientation of the acetoxy group at C3 is different. The dihedral angle C9-C8-C14-O13, which describes the relative orientation of the modified decalin and modified furan moities of the molecule, is 23.3(8)°

Crystal structure of nimbin

The crystal structure of nimbin has been determined. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P212121 with a=6.790(2), b=14.875(4), c=27.160(8) Å and Z=4. The packing of the molecules in the lattice is due to C-H..O type of hydrogen bonds

Molecular and crystal structure of azadirachtin-H

Azadirachtin-H, isolated from the seed kernels of Azadirachta indica (neem), crystallizes in space group I4, Z = 8, with disordered ethyl acetate solvent filling channels along the fourfold rotation axes. The crystal structure determination showed that the previously reported molecular structure deduced from NMR studies was correct except for the stereochemistry at C(11). Azadirachtin-H, which belongs to a group of C-seco-tetranortriterpenoids (C-seco-limonoids) of great interest for their insect antifeedant and ecdysis-inhibiting activity, has some unusual features: the absence of a carbomethoxy group at C(11); the presence of a cyclic hemiacetal function at C(11); the α-orientation of the hydroxyl group on C(11), opposite to that in all other known azadirachtins with a hydroxyl group on C(11), except azadirachtin-I. There is no intramolecular hydrogen bonding. In this crystal the rotation of the two major moieties of the azadirachtin-H molecule about the single connecting C(8)-C(14) bond is quite different from that in azadirachtin-A, whose crystal structure has recently been determined

The Fas-FADD death domain complex structure reveals the basis of DISC assembly and disease mutations.

The death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) formed by the death receptor Fas, the adaptor protein FADD and caspase-8 mediates the extrinsic apoptotic program. Mutations in Fas that disrupt the DISC cause autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS). Here we show that the Fas-FADD death domain (DD) complex forms an asymmetric oligomeric structure composed of 5-7 Fas DD and 5 FADD DD, whose interfaces harbor ALPS-associated mutations. Structure-based mutations disrupt the Fas-FADD interaction in vitro and in living cells; the severity of a mutation correlates with the number of occurrences of a particular interaction in the structure. The highly oligomeric structure explains the requirement for hexameric or membrane-bound FasL in Fas signaling. It also predicts strong dominant negative effects from Fas mutations, which are confirmed by signaling assays. The structure optimally positions the FADD death effector domain (DED) to interact with the caspase-8 DED for caspase recruitment and higher-order aggregation

The Fas-FADD death domain complex structure reveals the basis of DISC assembly and disease mutations

The death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) formed by the death receptor Fas, the adaptor protein FADD and caspase-8 mediates the extrinsic apoptotic program. Mutations in Fas that disrupt the DISC cause autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS). Here we show that the Fas-FADD death domain (DD) complex forms an asymmetric oligomeric structure composed of 5-7 Fas DD and 5 FADD DD, whose interfaces harbor ALPS-associated mutations. Structure-based mutations disrupt the Fas-FADD interaction in vitro and in living cells; the severity of a mutation correlates with the number of occurrences of a particular interaction in the structure. The highly oligomeric structure explains the requirement for hexameric or membrane-bound FasL in Fas signaling. It also predicts strong dominant negative effects from Fas mutations, which are confirmed by signaling assays. The structure optimally positions the FADD death effector domain (DED) to interact with the caspase-8 DED for caspase recruitment and higher-order aggregation