Capturing LTA4 hydrolase in action: Insights to the chemistry and dynamics of chemotactic LTB4 synthesis [Medical Sciences]

Human leukotriene (LT) A₄ hydrolase/aminopeptidase (LTA₄H) is a bifunctional enzyme that converts the highly unstable epoxide intermediate LTA₄ into LTB₄, a potent leukocyte activating agent, while the aminopeptidase activity cleaves and inactivates the chemotactic tripeptide Pro-Gly-Pro. Here, we describe high-resolution crystal structures of LTA₄H complexed with LTA₄, providing the structural underpinnings of the enzyme’s unique epoxide hydrolase (EH) activity, involving Zn²⁺, Y383, E271, D375, and two catalytic waters. The structures reveal that a single catalytic water is involved in both catalytic activities of LTA₄H, alternating between epoxide ring opening and peptide bond hydrolysis, assisted by E271 and E296, respectively. Moreover, we have found two conformations of LTA₄H, uncovering significant domain movements. The resulting structural alterations indicate that LTA₄ entrance into the active site is a dynamic process that includes rearrangement of three moving domains to provide fast and efficient alignment and processing of the substrate. Thus, the movement of one dynamic domain widens the active site entrance, while another domain acts like a lid, opening and closing access to the hydrophobic tunnel, which accommodates the aliphatic tale of LTA₄ during EH reaction. The enzyme–LTA₄ complex structures and dynamic domain movements provide critical insights for development of drugs targeting LTA₄H.