title: Foot-and-mouth disease virus leader proteinase: specificity at the P2 and P3 positions and comparison with other papain-like enzymes.
abstract: The foot-and-mouth disease virus Leader proteinase (L(pro)) frees itself from the growing viral polyprotein by self-processing between its own C-terminus and the N-terminus of the subsequent protein VP4. The ArgLysLeuLys*GlyAlaGlyGln sequence is recognized. The proteinase subsequently cleaves the two isoforms of host cell protein eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4G at the AlaAsnLeuGly*ArgThrThrLeu (eIF4GI) and LeuAsnValGly*SerArgArgSer (eIF4GII) sequences. The enzyme does not, however, recognize the sequence on eIF4GII (AlaAspPheGly*ArgGlnThrPro) which is analogous to that recognized on eIF4GI. To investigate the basis for this specificity, we used site-directed mutagenesis to show that the presence of Phe at the P2 position or Asp at the P3 position severely compromises self-processing. Furthermore, these substitutions also give rise to the production of aberrant cleavage products. As Leu is the preferred amino acid at P2, the specificity of L(pro) is reminiscent of that of cathepsin K. This cellular proteinase can also process collagen through its ability to accept proline at the P2 position. Investigation of the L(pro) substrate specificity showed, however, that in contrast to cathepsin K, L(pro) cannot accept Pro at P2 and does not cleave collagen. Subtle variations in the arrangement of the S2 binding pockets on the enzymes are responsible for these differences in specificity.
authors.affiliation: Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University Departments at the Vienna Biocenter, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9/3, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kuehnel
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cencic
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Foeger
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Skern
mesh_terms: D019943:Amino Acid Substitution / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D056657:Cathepsin K; D056668:Cathepsin L; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000737:chemistry; D002417:Cattle; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000737:chemistry; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D039603:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029544:Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D006868:Hydrolysis; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D010206:Papain / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010448:Peptide Initiation Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013379:Substrate Specificity / Q000235:genetics; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; C113920:EIF4G1 protein, human; C491300:EIF4G2 protein, human; D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D039603:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010448:Peptide Initiation Factors; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D002403:Cathepsins; D010450:Endopeptidases; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C534281:CTSL protein, human; D056668:Cathepsin L; D010206:Papain; C534130:CTSK protein, human; D056657:Cathepsin K; C088747:leader proteinase, foot-and-mouth disease virus