Structural insights into pathogenic mutations in heme-dependent cystathionine-β-synthase

Human cystathionine beta-synthase plays a key role in maintaining low intracellular levels of homocysteine and is unique in being a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme that is a hemeprotein. It catalyzes the beta-replacement of serine and homocysteine to generate the condensation product, cystathionine. While the structure of a truncated catalytic core of the protein has been determined by crystallography, a model for the full-length enzyme has been developed guided by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometric and docking studies. In this review, we have utilized the available structural models for human cystathionine beta-synthase to conduct a structure-function analysis of a select group of pathogenic mutations described in patients with hereditary hyperhomocysteinemia. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.