title: Structural basis for bisphosphonate-mediated inhibition of isoprenoid biosynthesis.
abstract: Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase (FPPS) synthesizes farnesyl pyrophosphate through successive condensations of isopentyl pyrophosphate with dimethylallyl pyrophosphate and geranyl pyrophosphate. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate drugs used to treat osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and tumor-induced hypercalcemia are potent inhibitors of the enzyme. Here we present crystal structures of substrate and bisphosphonate complexes of FPPS. The structures reveal how enzyme conformational changes organize conserved active site residues to exploit metal-induced ionization and substrate positioning for catalysis. The structures further demonstrate how nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates mimic a carbocation intermediate to inhibit the enzyme. Together, these FPPS complexes provide a structural template for the design of novel inhibitors that may prove useful for the treatment of osteoporosis and other clinical indications including cancer.
authors.affiliation: Syrrx Inc., San Diego, California 92121, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hosfield
authors.forename: Yanming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Douglas R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Dougan
authors.forename: Alexei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Broun
authors.forename: Leslie W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Tari
authors.forename: Ronald V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Finn
mesh_terms: D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli; D051228:Geranyltranstransferase; D011487:Protein Conformation; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates; D013729:Terpenes; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; D051228:Geranyltranstransferase