The structural basis of aspirin activity inferred from the crystal structure of inactivated prostaglandin H2 synthase

Nat Struct Biol. 1995 Aug;2(8):637-43. doi: 10.1038/nsb0895-637.

Abstract

Aspirin exerts its anti-inflammatory effects through selective acetylation of serine 530 on prostaglandin H2 synthase (PGHS). Here we present the 3.4 A resolution X-ray crystal structure of PGHS isoform-1 inactivated by the potent aspirin analogue 2-bromoacetoxy-benzoic acid. Acetylation by this analogue abolishes cyclooxygenase activity by steric blockage of the active-site channel and not through a large conformational change. We observe two rotameric states of the acetyl-serine side chain which block the channel to different extents, a result which may explain the dissimilar effects of aspirin on the two PGHS isoforms. We also observe the product salicylic acid binding at a site consistent with its antagonistic effect on aspirin activity.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Aspirin / analogs & derivatives
  • Aspirin / chemistry*
  • Aspirin / pharmacology*
  • Binding Sites
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / chemistry*
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / metabolism*
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Serine
  • Sheep

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes
  • Serine
  • bromoaspirin
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
  • Aspirin