Abstact

Tryparedoxin peroxidase (TryP) is a recently discovered 2Cys-peroxiredoxin involved in defence against oxidative stress in parasitic trypanosomatids. The crystal structure of recombinant Crithidia fasciculata TryP, in the reduced state, has been determined using multi-wavelength anomalous dispersion methods applied to a selenomethionyl derivative. The model comprises a decamer with 52 symmetry, ten chloride ions with 23 water molecules and has been refined, using data to 3.2 A resolution (1 A=0.1 nm), to an R-factor and R(free) of 27.3 and 28.6 %, respectively. Secondary structure topology places TryP along with tryparedoxin and glutathione peroxidase in a distinct subgroup of the thioredoxin super-family. The molecular details at the active site support ideas about the enzyme mechanism and comparisons with an oxidised 2Cys-peroxiredoxin reveal structural alterations induced by the change in oxidation state. These include a difference in quaternary structure from dimer (oxidised form) to decamer (reduced form). The 2Cys-peroxiredoxin assembly may prevent indiscriminate oligomerisation, localise ten peroxidase active sites and contribute to both the specificity of reduction by the redox partner tryparedoxin and attraction of peroxides into the active site.