The human transketolase-like proteins TKTL1 and TKTL2 are bona fide transketolases

BACKGROUND: Three transketolase genes have been identified in the human genome to date: transketolase (TKT), transketolase-like 1 (TKTL1) and transketolase-like 2 (TKTL2). Altered TKT functionality is strongly implicated in the development of diabetes and various cancers, thus offering possible therapeutic utility. It will be of great value to know whether TKTL1 and TKTL2 are, similarly, potential therapeutic targets. However, it remains unclear whether TKTL1 and TKTL2 are functional transketolases. RESULTS: Homology modelling of TKTL1 and TKTL2 using TKT as template, revealed that both TKTL1 and TKTL2 could assume a folded structure like TKT. TKTL1/2 presented a cleft of suitable dimensions between the homodimer surfaces that could accommodate the co-factor-substrate. An appropriate cavity and a hydrophobic nodule were also present in TKTL1/2, into which the diphosphate group fitted, and that was implicated in aminopyrimidine and thiazole ring binding in TKT, respectively. The presence of several identical residues at structurally equivalent positions in TKTL1/2 and TKT identified a network of interactions between the protein and co-factor-substrate, suggesting the functional fidelity of TKTL1/2 as transketolases. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the hypothesis that TKTL1 and TKTL2 are functional transketolases and represent novel therapeutic targets for diabetes and cancer. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12900-018-0099-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.