Download MendeleyCrystal Structure of Autophagy-Associated Protein 8 at 1.36 angstrom Resolution and Its Inhibitory Interactions with Indole Analogs.
Zhang, S., Luo, X., Yuan, X., Wu, D., Liu, J., Zhao, K., Xu, Y., Zhou, J., Li, X., Li, Q.X.(2025) J Agric Food Chem 73: 7111-7120
- PubMed: 40066832
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.4c11205
- PubMed Abstract:
Autophagy-associated protein 8 (ATG8) is essential for autophagy and organismal growth and development. In this study, we successfully resolved the crystal structure of Drosophila melanogaster ( D. melanogaster ) ATG8a ( Dm ATG8a) at 1.36 Å resolution. Being distinct from previously characterized ATG8 homologues, Dm ATG8a (121 residues) adopts a unique fold comprising five α-helices and four β-folding strands, in contrast to the canonical four α-helices and four β-folding strands observed in other ATG8 proteins. Dm ATG8a features two active cavities: hydrophobic pocket 1 (HP1) and hydrophobic pocket 2 (HP2), which are essential for the normal physiological function of ATG8. Indole and its analogs can bind specifically with HP1. Microscale thermophoresis results demonstrated a strong affinity of 6-fluoroindole with Dm ATG8a (3.54 μmol/L), but no affinity with the Dm ATG8a K48A mutant, suggesting that Lys48 is critical in binding 6-fluoroindole probably via a hydrogen bond interaction. The half-maximum lethal concentration (LC 50 ) of 6-fluoroindole against D. melanogaster adult flies was 169 μg/mL. Our findings establish Dm ATG8a as a promising target for developing indole-based insecticides.
- State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
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