Three-dimensional structure of human tryptophan hydroxylase and its implications for the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin

Biochemistry. 2002 Oct 22;41(42):12569-74. doi: 10.1021/bi026561f.

Abstract

Tryptophan hydroxylase oxidizes L-tryptophan to 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan in the rate-determining step of serotonin biosynthesis. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure (1.7 A) of a truncated functional form of human tryptophan hydroxylase with the bound cofactor analogue 7,8-dihydro-L-biopterin, providing the first atomic-resolution information for the catalytic domain of this important enzyme. Comparison of the three-dimensional structures of all three members of the aromatic amino acid hydroxylase family--tyrosine hydroxylase, phenylalanine hydroxylase, and tryptophan hydroxylase--reveals important differences at the active sites.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Biopterins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Biopterins / metabolism
  • Catalytic Domain / genetics
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Melatonin / biosynthesis*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Serotonin / biosynthesis*
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / chemistry*
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Biopterins
  • Serotonin
  • 7,8-dihydrobiopterin
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase
  • Melatonin

Associated data

  • PDB/1MLW