title: Methotrexate binds in a non-productive orientation to human dihydrofolate reductase in solution, based on NMR spectroscopy.
abstract: Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an intracellular target enzyme for folate antagonist drugs, including methotrexate. In order to compare the binding of methotrexate to human DHFR in solution with that observed in the crystalline state, NMR spectroscopy has been used to determine the conformation of the drug bound to human DHFR in solution. In agreement with what has been observed in the crystalline state, NOE's identified protein and methotrexate protons indicate that methotrexate binds in a non-productive orientation. In contrast to what has been reported for E. coli DHFR in solution, only one bound conformation of methotrexate is observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Stockman
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Nirmala
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Delcamp
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: DeYarman
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Freisheim
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012996:Solutions; D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012996:Solutions; D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase; D008727:Methotrexate