Structure of a Type II Thymidine Kinase with Bound Dttp
Birringer, M.S., Claus, M.T., Folkers, G., Kloer, D.P., Schulz, G.E., Scapozza, L.(2005) FEBS Lett 579: 1376
- PubMed: 15733844 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.febslet.2005.01.034
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1W4R - PubMed Abstract: 
The structure of human cytosolic thymidine kinase in complex with its feedback inhibitor 2'-deoxythymidine-5'-triphosphate was determined. This structure is the first representative of the type II thymidine kinases found in several pathogens. The structure deviates strongly from the known structures of type I thymidine kinases such as the Herpes simplex enzyme. It contains a zinc-binding domain with four cysteines complexing a structural zinc ion. Interestingly, the backbone atoms of the type II enzyme bind thymine via hydrogen-bonds, in contrast to type I, where side chains are involved. This results in a specificity difference exploited for antiviral therapy. The presented structure will foster the development of new drugs and prodrugs for numerous therapeutic applications.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Wolfgang-Pauli Strasse 10, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.