The Ionic and Hydrophobic Interactions Are Required for the Auto Activation of Cysteine Proteases of Plasmodium falciparum
Figure 9
Model showing mechanism of activation of falcipain.
The prodomain (purple) and the mature domain (cyan) are stabilized by salt and hydrophobic interactions (shown by yellow dashes). The wild enzyme (upper panel) processed normally in acidic condition where the prodomain is released and the mature domain is catalytically active. On the other hand, mutants (mutations indicated by red labeled) with disrupted salt and hydrophobic interactions failed to process into active enzyme.