Deciphering mechanisms of protein function often requires structural information on their interaction with ligands. European scientists worked on novel substrates and inhibitors of rhomboid protease to show the catalytic mechanism of these enzymes.
Proteins of the rhomboid family of intramembrane proteases are known for their important biological functions including intercellular signalling, mitochondrial dynamics and invasion of eukaryotic parasites. However, little is known regarding the mechanism of function in mammals and bacteria despite recent data on the crystal structures of prokaryotic intramembrane proteases. This is mainly due to lack of information on rhomboid protease-substrate complexes.
Further information: Rhomboid protease mechanism of action unveiled