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The Active Site of a Zinc-Dependent Metalloproteinase Influences the Computed pKa of Ligands Coordinated to the Catalytic Zinc Ion
journal contribution
posted on 2002-08-17, 00:00 authored by Jason B. Cross, José S. Duca, James J. Kaminski, Vincent S. MadisonTNF-α converting enzyme (TACE) is a multidomain, membrane-anchored protein that includes
a Zn-dependent protease domain. It releases the soluble form of cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)
from its membrane-bound precursor. TACE is a metalloprotease containing a catalytic glutamic acid, Glu-406, and a Zn2+ ion ligated to three imidazoles. The protonation states of the active site glutamic acid and
inhibitors are important factors in understanding the potency of inhibitors with acidic zinc-ligating groups
such as hydroxamic and carboxylic acids. Density functional methods were utilized to compute pKa values
using a model of the catalytic site of TACE and to predict a concomitant mechanism of binding, consistent
with lowering the pKa of the bound ligand and raising the pKa of the active site Glu-406. Weak acids, such
as hydroxamic acids, bind in their neutral form and then transfer an acidic proton to Glu-406. Stronger
acids, such as carboxylic acids, bind in their anionic form and require preprotonation of Glu-406. Similar
binding events would be expected for other zinc-dependent proteases.