Comprehensive Analysis of Binding Sites in Tubulin

Tubulin plays essential roles in vital cellular activities and is the target of a wide range of proteins and ligands. Here, using a combined computational and crystallographic fragment screening approach, we addressed the question of how many binding sites exist in tubulin. We identified 27 distinct sites, of which 11 have not been described previously, and analyzed their relationship to known tubulin-protein and tubulin-ligand interactions. We further observed an intricate pocket communication network and identified 56 chemically diverse fragments that bound to 10 distinct tubulin sites. Our results offer a unique structural basis for the development of novel small molecules for use as tubulin modulators in basic research applications or as drugs. Furthermore, our method lays down a framework that may help to discover new pockets in other pharmaceutically important targets and characterize them in terms of chemical tractability and allosteric modulation.

Automated summary

Using a combined computational and crystallographic approach, researchers identified 27 distinct binding sites in tubulin, including 11 previously unknown sites. They also observed an intricate pocket communication network and identified 56 chemically diverse fragments that bound to 10 distinct tubulin sites. These results provide a structural basis for developing novel small molecules as tubulin modulators and lay down a framework that may aid in discovering new pockets in other pharmaceutically important targets.