Crystal structure of a Bombyx mori sigma-class glutathione transferase exhibiting prostaglandin E synthase activity

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are members of a major family of detoxification enzymes. Here, we report the crystal structure of a sigma-class GST of Bombyx mori, bmGSTS1, to gain insight into the mechanism catalysis.

The structure of bmGSTS1 and its complex with glutathione were determined at resolutions of 1.9Å and 1.7Å by synchrotron radiation and the molecular replacement method.

The three-dimensional structure of bmGSTS1 shows that it exists as a dimer and is similar in structure to other GSTs with respect to its secondary and tertiary structures. Although striking similarities to the structure of prostaglandin D synthase were also detected, we were surprised to find that bmGSTS1 can convert prostaglandin H2 into its E2 form. Comparison of bmGSTS1 with its glutathione complex showed that bound glutathione was localized to the glutathione-binding site (G-site). Site-directed mutagenesis of bmGSTS1 mutants indicated that amino acid residues Tyr8, Leu14, Trp39, Lys43, Gln50, Met51, Gln63, and Ser64 in the G-site contribute to catalytic activity.

We determined the tertiary structure of bmGSTS1 exhibiting prostaglandin E synthase activity.

These results are, to our knowledge, the first report of a prostaglandin synthase activity in insects.