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Leech antihemostatic proteins share the T-knot scaffold, a disulfide-reinforced structural motif
P Ascenzi1, M Bolognesi, D Catalucci
1Department of Biology, Third University of Rome, Italy.
Biological Chemistry
|December 29, 1998
Abstract:
The occurrence of similar topologies among unrelated proteins is an emerging theme in structural biology. Here we report that the T-knot scaffold, a disulfide-reinforced structural motif shared by knottins and EGF-like proteins, is also present in leech antihemostatic proteins. Our finding emphasizes the versatile nature of this small structural motif, representing a compact structural unit suitable for the diverse biological functions performed by knottins, EGF-like proteins and leech antihemostatic proteins.