Issue 28, 2018

Membrane bound COMT isoform is an interfacial enzyme: general mechanism and new drug design paradigm

Abstract

The enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has water soluble (S-COMT) and membrane associated (MB-COMT), bitopic, isoforms. Of these MB-COMT is a drug target in relation to the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Using a combination of computational and experimental protocols, we have determined the substrate selection mechanism specific to MB-COMT. We show: (1) substrates with preferred affinity for MB-COMT over S-COMT orient in the membrane in a fashion conducive to catalysis from the membrane surface and (2) binding of COMT to its cofactor ADOMET induces conformational change that drives the catalytic surface of the protein to the membrane surface, where the substrates and Mg2+ ions, required for catalysis, are found. Bioinformatics analysis reveals evidence of this mechanism in other proteins, including several existing drug targets. The development of new COMT inhibitors with preferential affinity for MB-COMT over S-COMT is now possible and insight of broader relevance, into the function of bitopic enzymes, is provided.

Graphical abstract: Membrane bound COMT isoform is an interfacial enzyme: general mechanism and new drug design paradigm

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
10 Jan 2018
Accepted
08 Feb 2018
First published
08 Feb 2018

Chem. Commun., 2018,54, 3440-3443

Membrane bound COMT isoform is an interfacial enzyme: general mechanism and new drug design paradigm

A. Magarkar, P. Parkkila, T. Viitala, T. Lajunen, E. Mobarak, G. Licari, O. Cramariuc, E. Vauthey, T. Róg and A. Bunker, Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 3440 DOI: 10.1039/C8CC00221E

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