Work

Understanding Enzyme Superfamilies

Year: 1997

Type: article

Abstract: We have described four superfamilies of enzymes where the members within each catalyze different overall reactions using broadly varied substrates. Within each superfamily, the different overall reactions are facilitated by a common mechanistic strategy that can be rationalized in the context of the structural scaffold. Although space limitations prevent their discussion, a number of additional superfamilies have been described in which these principles appear to obtain. Analyses of the relationships between structure and function in all of these superfamilies suggest two general conclusions regarding the evolution of new catalytic activities.

Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry

DOI: 10.1074/jbc.272.49.30591

Authors: Patricia C. Babbitt, John A. Gerlt

Institutions: University of California, San Francisco, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Language: English

Topic: Enzyme Structure and Function

Subfield: Structural Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,430

Funders: National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Center for Research Resources