Crystallographic studies of human MitoNEET

Xiaowei Hou, Rujuan Liu, Stuart Ross, Eric J. Smart, Haining Zhu, Weimin Gong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

87 Scopus citations

Abstract

MitoNEET was identified as an outer mitochondrial membrane protein that can potentially bind the anti-diabetes drug pioglitazone. The crystal structure of the cytoplasmic mitoNEET (residues 33-108) is determined in this study. The structure presents a novel protein fold and contains a [2Fe-2S] cluster-binding domain. The [2Fe-2S] cluster is coordinated to the protein by Cys-72, Cys-74, Cys-83, and His-87 residues. This coordination is also novel compared with the traditional [2Fe-2S] cluster coordinated by four cysteines or two cysteines and two histidines. The cytoplasmic mitoNEET forms homodimers in solution and in crystal. The dimerization is mainly mediated by hydrophobic interactions as well as hydrogen bonds coordinated by two water molecules binding at the interface. His-87 residue, which plays an important role in the coordination of the [2Fe-2S] cluster, is exposed to the solvent on the dimer surface. It is proposed that mitoNEET dimer may interact with other proteins via the surface residues in close proximity to the [2Fe-2S] cluster.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33242-33246
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume282
Issue number46
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 16 2007

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeR01NS049126

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Biochemistry
    • Molecular Biology
    • Cell Biology

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