Structural Genomics Centers for Infectious Diseases

Structure of the Month

Anthrax Immunity Protein

Microcins are small antibiotic peptides secreted by enterobacteria. They play a critical role in mediating competition between closely related bacterial strains. The 3-dimentional structures and antibacterial mechanisms of these peptide toxins are diverse. The production, maturation, and export requires several enzymes and proteins.

The MccF microcin immunity protein from Bacillus anthracis Ames strain was revealed to be a homodimer and shares fold similarity with LD-carboxypeptidases. Fold and sequence analysis revealed that MccF may act as a serine peptidase using a catalytic triad composed of Ser-His-Glu. The figure shows a ribbon representation of the MccF structure (PDB code: 3GJZ), with monomers colored in orange and green. The catalytic triad residues are shown as blue sticks.

Information for researchers about this micorcin structure can be found at the CSGID summary, http://www.csgid.org/csgid/cake/deposits/view/1023, or the Protein Data Bank entry 3GJZ, http://www.pdb.org/pdb/explore/explore.do?structureId=3GJZ.

The MccF microcin immunity protein from Bacillus anthracis Ames strain was determined by the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID).

Past Features

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Ras-like Transport Protein
• 2009 H1N1 Influenza – NS1 Protein
• Burkholderia pseudomallei protein
• Clostridium difficile: enzyme 3-dehydroquinate dehydratase
• Vibrio cholerae toxin
• Burkholderia pseudomallei enzyme -2’-O-methyl RNA methyltransferase