Interferon-inducible p47 GTPases are critical mediators of cell-autonomous resistance against several intracellular pathogens. Here we present the first crystal structure of a member of this novel GTPase family, IIGP1, in its nucleotide-free, GDP-, and GppNHp-bound form. The structure shows a Ras-like G domain between an N-terminal three-helix bundle and a complex system of C-terminal helices and loops. Sequence comparison and secondary structure prediction suggest the IIGP1 structure to be a valid model for the p47 GTPase family. The IIGP1 crystals contain a noncrystallographic dimer. We show that the dimer is required for cooperative GTP hydrolysis and GTP-dependent oligomerization of IIGP1. We also present the GDP- and GppNHp-bound monomeric structures of two dimer interface mutants. Our structures direct approaches to the analysis of the catalytic mechanism of IIGP1 and provide a coherent basis for structure-function studies aimed at elucidating the mechanistic basis of pathogen resistance caused by these enigmatic GTPases.
Copyright 2004 Cell Press