Structural and functional studies of a novel Botulinum neurotoxin and of MTH1

Sammanfattning: X-ray crystallography visualizes the three dimensional molecular structures of proteins at atomic resolution. Seeing the molecular structure of a biomedically interesting protein enables a higher understanding of its function. The process of producing pure protein from genetic material to generate crystals and determine the molecular structure can be a long and challenging process. My thesis involves structural and functional studies of two different proteins, which are both biomedically interesting and important to learn about. X-ray crystallography is the method which has been used to determine the majority of the protein structures that we know of today and is also the method used in the results presented in my thesis. Today there are no cancer therapies defeating all types of cancers and they do not come without side effects. Battling cancer diseases often include long and painful treatments. Finding an anti-cancer drug targeting phenotypes characteristic of cancer cells is a compelling thought. MutT homolog-1 (MTH1) is an enzyme present in all proliferating cells. The enzyme seems to be crucial for cancer cell survival but not for the viability of normal cells. MTH1 cleans out oxidized and thereby damaged nucleotides from the free nucleotide pool and stops them from being used in DNA synthesis. This process is very important in fast proliferating cancer cells. The hypothesis is to inhibit MTH1 and thereby allow a limitless amount of DNA damage in the cancer cells. This action will eventually kill cancer cells while not affecting normal cells. The molecular structure of MTH1 with (PDB ID: 3ZR0) and without a product bound (PDB ID: 3ZR1) was determined and is presented in my thesis. These two structures aided in the synthesis of inhibitors. Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins known. As little as one gram of pure toxin could potentially kill one million people. Due to its potency BoNT is a potential  bioterrorism threat. The toxin is also a very potent drug used clinically to relieve the symptoms of an array of neuromuscular disorders. Most people know this neurotoxin by one of its commercial names: Botox™. Additionally BoNTs are the cause of botulism. BoNTs are neuro-specific enzymes that target neuromuscular signaling, inducing flaccid paralysis and potentially death. It is of importance to learn more about these toxins to enable the development of new countermeasures, vaccines or more efficient neuroparalytic drugs. BoNTs consist of three domains with different functions, all crucial for intoxication. The toxins are fragile and can easily be destroyed by harsh surroundings if not protected by non-toxic non-hemagglutinin (NTNH) proteins. The complex of some BoNT serotypes and their protective NTNH have proven to be pH-dependent. Parts of the intoxication process are not yet clear and their mechanisms are still puzzling researchers. Until recently seven BoNT serotypes were identified. We have now identified and characterized a novel serotype called BoNT/X. The molecular structure of the active domain is presented here (PDB ID: 6F47). The pH-dependent mechanism forming a complex as seen in other serotypes, is confirmed to be present in BoNT/X as well.