3D Model of Bacteria-Fighting Enzyme Discovered

Researchers at Princeton University have uncovered the 3D Structure of an enzyme found within the human "innate immune system", known as Ribonuclease L (shortened as RNase L). With the 3D structure known, scientists can use it to understand how mutations occur in the enzyme's gene, which often leads to prostate cancer. Now, researchers can look at the exact positions of these mutations and know why they are so often detrimental, even carcinogenic. RNase L is a part of the immune system that responds to a molecule called interferon, which tracks down infected cells and causes RNase L to destroy foreign RNA strands. 

In addition, the 3D structure also revealed two protomer subunits, one that binds to the foreign RNA and one that snips it out of the cell. The Princeton team says their next step is to explore ways to enhance or dampen RNase L activity for use in medicine and therapy. 

Figuring out the base 3D structure of a component of the immune system is a big step toward the ability to manipulate it for a variety of different medicines. Though I'm not big on the medicinal side of biology, I thought it was neat how they thought to crystalize the enzyme, solidify it, and hit it with X-rays to get an outline of the structure. I thought the method of essentially "outlining" the enzyme with X-ray diffraction was a clever way to pattern its structure. Hopefully this same process works with other enzymes, as it seems to be a pretty solid way of determining structure of an important part of the immune system. 

More general information about the Human Immune System from Ohio State University.