Sedolisins (serine-carboxyl peptidases) are proteolytic enzymes whose fold resembles that of subtilisin; however, they are considerably larger, with the mature catalytic domains containing approximately 375 amino acids. The defining features of these enzymes are a unique catalytic triad, Ser-Glu-Asp, as well as the presence of an aspartic acid residue in the oxyanion hole. High-resolution crystal structures have now been solved for sedolisin from Pseudomonas sp. 101, as well as for kumamolisin from a thermophilic bacterium, Bacillus novo sp. MN-32. The availability of these crystal structures enabled us to model the structure of mammalian CLN2, an enzyme which, when mutated in humans, leads to a fatal neurodegenerative disease. This review compares the structural and enzymatic properties of this newly defined MEROPS family of peptidases, S53, and introduces their new nomenclature.
Effects of several chemical probes selectively modifying various amino-acid residues on the activity of UDP-glucose : solasodine glucosyltransferase from eggplant leaves was studied. It was shown that diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC), a specific modifier of histidine residues, was strongly inhibitory. However, in the presence of excessive amounts of the enzyme substrates, i.e. either UDP-glucose or solasodine, the inhibitory effect of DEPC was much weaker indicating that histidine (or histidines) are present in the active site of the enzyme. Our results suggest also that unmodified residues of glutamic (or aspartic) acid, lysine, cysteine, tyrosine and tryptophan are necessary for full activity of the enzyme. Reagents modifying serine and arginine residues have no effect on the enzyme activity.
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