Crystal structure of the TbBILBO1 N-terminal domain reveals a ubiquitin fold with a long rigid loop for the binding of its partner

BILBO1 was the first characterized component of the flagellar pocket collar (FPC) in trypanosomes. The N-terminal domain (NTD) of BILBO1 plays an essential role in Trypanosoma brucei FPC biogenesis and is thus vital for the parasites survival. Here we report a 1.6-[A] resolution crystal structure of TbBILBO1-NTD, which revealed a conserved horseshoe-like hydrophobic pocket formed by an unusually long loop. Mutagenesis studies suggested that another FPC protein, FPC4, interacts with TbBILBO1 via mainly contacting the three conserved aromatic residues W71, Y87 and F89 at the center of this pocket. Overall, we have determined the binding site of TbFPC4 on TbBILBO1-NTD, which may provide a basis for rational drug design in the future.