PMID: 8612781Mar 25, 1996Paper

Attempts to convert chymotrypsin to trypsin

FEBS Letters
István VenekeiW J Rutter

Abstract

Trypsin and chymotrypsin have specificity pockets of essentially the same geometry, yet trypsin is specific for basic while chymotrypsin for bulky hydrophobic residues at the P1 site of the substrate. A model by Steitz, Henderson and Blow suggested the presence of a negative charge at site 189 as the major specificity determinant: Asp189 results in tryptic, while the lack of it chymotryptic specificity. However, recent mutagenesis studies have shown that a successful conversion of the specificity of trypsin to that of chymotrypsin requires the substitution of amino acids at sites 138, 172 and at thirteen other positions in two surface loops, that do not directly contact the substrate. For further testing the significance of these sites in substrate discrimination in trypsin and chymotrypsin, we tried to change the chymotrypsin specificity to trypsin-like specificity by introducing reverse substitutions in rat chymotrypsin. We report here that the specificity conversion is poor: the Ser189Asp mutation reduced the activity but the specificity remained chymotrypsin-like; on further substitutions the activity decreased further on both tryptic and chymotryptic substrates and the specificity was lost or became slightly trypsin-like. ...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.