Resistance mutations
in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(
Mtb
) catalase peroxidase protein (KatG), an essential
enzyme in isoniazid (INH) activation, reduce the sensitivity of
Mtb
to first-line drugs, hence presenting challenges in
tuberculosis (TB) management. Thus, understanding the mutational imposed
resistance mechanisms remains of utmost importance in the quest to
reduce the TB burden. Herein, effects of 11 high confidence mutations
in the KatG structure and residue network communication patterns were
determined using extensive computational approaches. Combined traditional
post-molecular dynamics analysis and comparative essential dynamics
revealed that the mutant proteins have significant loop flexibility
around the heme binding pocket and enhanced asymmetric protomer behavior
with respect to wild-type (WT) protein. Heme contact analysis between
WT and mutant proteins identified a reduction to no contact between
heme and residue His270, a covalent bond vital for the heme-enabled
KatG catalytic activity.
Betweenness centrality
calculations
showed large hub ensembles with new hubs especially around the binding
cavity and expanded to the dimerization domain via interface in the
mutant systems, providing possible compensatory allosteric communication
paths for the active site as a result of the mutations which may destabilize
the heme binding pocket and the loops in its vicinity. Additionally,
an interesting observation came from
Eigencentrality
hubs, most of which are located in the C-terminal domain, indicating
relevance of the domain in the protease functionality. Overall, our
results provide insight toward the mechanisms involved in KatG-INH
resistance in addition to identifying key regions in the enzyme functionality,
which can be used for future drug design.