Pyridoxal Phosphatase Introduction

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An Introduction to Protein Phosphatases

The biological significance of protein phosphatases - their structures, rather - are the information provided pertaining to both normal and pathophysiologic processes, including transcription regulation, regulation of major signalling pathways and type 1 diabetes. These studies could contribute significantly towards human disease studies, the development of treatment methods for microbial infections, and ultimately bringing cellular and molecular biology studies to a whole new level.

Protein phosphatases, in general, have a distinctive catalytic domain comprised of a beta sheet sandwich between alpha helices. The active site contains a magnesium ion that assists in the phosphate-cleaving reaction. In the case of Pyridoxal Phosphatase, a large domain covers the the active site, and this is typical for phosphatases that act on small molecules. Extra domains are therefore present to create a tighter active site.

Chronophin

Chronophin is a phosphatase that is involved in two different biological actions:

  • Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton
  • Vitamin B6 metabolism

In the context of Vitamin B6 metabolism, Chronophin undertakes this function under the name of Pyridoxal Phosphatase. Chronophin's main role in Vitamin B6 metabolism is the removal of a phosphate group from pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (vitamin B6), and this is part of a complicated pathway for degradation of the vitamin.

Sequence for the protein of interest, Pyridoxal Phosphatase

2cfsA Sequence.jpg

Sequence for the human homolog of Pyridoxal Phosphatase

2cfsA Human Homolog Sequence.jpg