8ZSA

Crystal structure of 4VPMT2

8ZSA の概要

• エントリーDOI: 10.2210/pdb8zsa/pdb
• 分子名称: 4VPMT2, S-ADENOSYLMETHIONINE, 4-ethenylphenol, ... (4 entities in total)
• 機能のキーワード: methyltransferase, 4-vinylanisole biosynthesis, transferase
• 由来する生物種: Locusta migratoria
• タンパク質・核酸の鎖数: 4
• 化学式量合計: 149538.43

構造登録者

Gao, L.,Yang, J.,Lei, X.G. (登録日: 2024-06-05, 公開日: 2025-03-19, 最終更新日: 2025-08-27)

主引用文献

Guo, X.,Gao, L.,Li, S.,Gao, J.,Wang, Y.,Lv, J.,Wei, J.,Yang, J.,Ke, H.,Ding, Q.,Yang, J.,Guo, F.,Zhang, H.,Lei, X.,Kang, L.
Decoding 4-vinylanisole biosynthesis and pivotal enzymes in locusts.
Nature, 644:420-429, 2025

PubMed Abstract: Aggregation pheromone, 4-vinylanisole (4VA), is specifically released by gregarious migratory locusts, and is crucial in forming locust swarms that cause destructive plagues. Control of locust plagues relies heavily on the extensive application of chemical pesticides, which has led to severe environmental and health issues. As pheromones are primary mediators of insect communication and behaviour, exploring their biosynthesis can provide important cues to develop innovative behavioural regulators, potentially reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides. Here we resolve the biosynthesis of 4VA and behavioural responses of locusts when enzymes in the 4VA biosynthetic pathway are manipulated. The process initiates with phenylalanine derived from food plants and proceeds through three precursors: cinnamic acid, p-hydroxycinnamic acid and 4-vinylphenol (4VP). Notably, the conversion from 4VP to 4VA through methylation is unique to gregarious locusts. This step is catalysed by two crucial methyltransferases, 4VPMT1 and 4VPMT2. Guided by the X-ray co-crystal structure of 4VPMT2 bound with 4VP and S-adenosyl-L-methionine, we developed 4-nitrophenol as a substrate surrogate. We identified several chemicals that can block 4VA production by inhibiting the enzymatic activities of 4VPMT proteins, thereby suppressing locust aggregative behaviour. The findings uncover the chemical logic behind 4VA biosynthesis and pinpoint two crucial enzymes as novel targets for locust swarm management.

PubMed: 40562929
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09110-y

実験手法

X-RAY DIFFRACTION (3.42 Å)