Description | This entry represents the N-terminal catalytic domain (also known as the C domain). This domain has an unusual β+α fold [ ]. The C domain blocks protein synthesis by transfer of ADP-ribose from NAD to a diphthamide residue of EF-2 [, ].Diphtheria toxin ( ) is a 58kDa protein secreted by lysogenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The toxin causes the disease diphtheria in humans by gaining entry into the cell cytoplasm and inhibiting protein synthesis [ ]. The mechanism of inhibition involves transfer of the ADP-ribose group of NAD to elongation factor-2 (EF-2), rendering EF-2 inactive. The catalysed reaction is as follows:NAD++ peptide diphthamide = nicotinamide + peptide N-(ADP-D-ribosyl)diphthamide The crystal structure of the diphtheria toxin homodimer has been determined to 2.5A resolution [ ]. The structure reveals a Y-shaped molecule of 3 domains, a catalytic domain (fragment A), whose fold is of the α+β type; a transmembrane (TM) domain, which consists of 9 α-helices, 2 pairs of which may participate in pH-triggered membrane insertion and translocation; and a receptor-binding domain, which forms a flattened β-barrel with a jelly-roll-like topology [ ]. The TM- and receptor binding-domains together constitute fragment B. | Name | Diphtheria toxin, catalytic domain |
Short Name | Diphtheria_toxin_catalytic_dom | Type | Domain |