Structural basis for induced-fit binding of Rho-kinase to the inhibitor Y-27632
Yamaguchi, H., Miwa, Y., Kasa, M., Kitano, K., Amano, M., Kaibuchi, K., Hakoshima, T.(2006) J Biochem 140: 305-311
- PubMed: 16891330 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jb/mvj172
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2H9V - PubMed Abstract: 
Rho-kinase is a main player in the regulation of cytoskeletal events and a promising drug target in the treatment of both vascular and neurological disorders. Here we report the crystal structure of the Rho-kinase catalytic domain in complex with the specific inhibitor Y-27632. Comparison with the structure of PKA bound to this inhibitor revealed a potential induced-fit binding mode that can be accommodated by the phosphate binding loop. This binding mode resembles to that observed in the Rho-kinase-fasudil complex. A structural database search indicated that a pocket underneath the phosphate-binding loop is present that favors binding to a small aromatic ring. Introduction of such a ring group might spawn a new modification scheme of pre-existing protein kinase inhibitors for improved binding capability.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Structural Biology Laboratory, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, and CREST, Japan .