Smart or Stupid? Smart! Uncovering the Allosteric Regulation Strategy used by 3-Deoxy D-arabino 7-Phosphate Synthase

Date: Wednesday 16 May 2012
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Location: Room 531, Chemistry
Contact: For further information regarding this event, please contact Sarah Mattsen by sending email to sarah.mattsen@canterbury.ac.nz or by calling 6100
Audience: University staff and students

Penel Cross will be presenting her final PhD seminar entitled: Smart or Stupid? Smart! Uncovering the Allosteric Regulation Strategy used by 3-Deoxy D-arabino 7-Phosphate Synthase.

Abstract:
3-Deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosnate-7-phosphate synthase (DAH7PS) is the first enzyme of the aromatic biosynthetic pathway in microorganisms and plants and considerable interest has been expressed in this enzyme as a target for drug design. As the first step of the pathway, DAH7PS activity is often carefully controlled by feedback regulation by the aromatic end products of the pathway. This allosteric regulation of this crucial biosynthetic enzyme appears to have evolved through the insertion of extra domains into the core catalytic structure.
How do these extra domains facilitate the control of the catalytic activity of the protein? This presentation describes how the regulatory domains of the enzyme from Thermotoga maritima work to control enzyme catalytic activity. Based on this understanding, can we understand and mimic the evolutionary processes by which enzymes adopt regulatory properties?