Structure of human β-glucuronidase reveals candidate lysosomal targeting and active-site motifs

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Abstract
The X-ray structure of the homotetrameric lysosomal acid hydrolase, human β-glucuronidase (332,000 Mr), has been determined at 2.6 Å resolution. The tetramer has approximate dihedral symmetry and each protomer consists of three structural domains with topologies similar to a jelly roll barrel, an immunoglobulin constant domain and a TIM barrel respectively. Residues 179–204 form a β-hairpin motif similar to the putative lysosomal targeting motif of cathepsin D, supporting the view that lysosomal targeting has a structural basis. The active site of the enzyme is formed from a large cleft at the interface of two monomers. Residues Glu 451 and Glu 540 are proposed to be important for catalysis. The structure establishes a framework for understanding mutations that lead to the human genetic disease mucopolysaccharidosis VII, and for using the enzyme in anti-cancer therapy.