Mechanistically diverse enzyme superfamilies: the importance of chemistry in the evolution of catalysis

Curr Opin Chem Biol. 1998 Oct;2(5):607-12. doi: 10.1016/s1367-5931(98)80091-4.

Abstract

The strategy that nature has used to evolve new catalytic activities from pre-existing enzymes (i.e. retention of substrate binding or of catalytic mechanism) has been controversial. Recent work supports a strategy in which a partial reaction, catalyzed by a progenitor, is retained, and the active-site architecture is modified to allow the intermediate generated to be directed to different products.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amidohydrolases / chemistry*
  • Amidohydrolases / classification
  • Amidohydrolases / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins*
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Catalysis*
  • Enoyl-CoA Hydratase / chemistry*
  • Enoyl-CoA Hydratase / classification
  • Enoyl-CoA Hydratase / genetics
  • Glutathione Transferase / chemistry
  • Glutathione Transferase / classification
  • Glutathione Transferase / genetics
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase / chemistry
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase / classification
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase / genetics
  • Metalloproteins / chemistry
  • Metalloproteins / classification
  • Metalloproteins / genetics
  • Oxygenases / chemistry
  • Oxygenases / classification
  • Oxygenases / genetics
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / chemistry*
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / classification
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Metalloproteins
  • Oxygenases
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Amidohydrolases
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase
  • Enoyl-CoA Hydratase
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase