Scientists study enzyme
structures in biological systems
By Ian Clift
Summer Reporter
Deep in the bowels of Lilly Hall, scientists are
uncovering the biological structures mandatory for all living organisms.
Structural biologists like Miriam Hasson, assistant
professor of biological sciences, determine the structure of proteins,
enzymes and viruses in an attempt to understand their function in organic
life.
Marc Archambault, director of Advancement and Alumni
Relations for the department of biological sciences, said, "The bottom
line in structural biology is to come to a greater understanding of
how biological systems work."
Hasson and husband David Sanders, also an assistant
professor of biological sciences, have created a three-dimensional computer
model of the enzyme acetate kinase.
Enzymes are catalytic proteins found in all living
cells. "Enzymes take a reaction that would happen every million years
and makes it happen every second," said Hasson.
Acetate kinase is used in the production of adenosine
triphosphate, a major biological energy source.
The team believes that acetate kinase is a biologically
ancient enzyme. They come to this conclusion from analysis of the protein
structure, which was determined through comparisons of similar proteins
and with X-ray crystallography.
In X-ray crystallography, crystals of proteins
such as acetate kinase are created using solvents and salts. An X-ray,
usually of one particular wavelength, is beamed through the crystal.
A dot pattern of the crystal is measured for intensity to determine
protein structure.
Acetate kinase's link to early life is determined
by three observations. Its wide spread appearance in bacteria such as
E. Coli. Its conserved structure with regard to other enzymes found
in its enzyme family, and its function in transferring phosphates in
the creation of simple molecules.
Hasson who works as a crystalogist said, "I used
to be a yeast geneticist but this is so much more fun. It's like doing
a puzzle."
Archambault said the lion share of research in
structural biology is funded through the National Institute of Health.
Funding this research should help in the understanding of Aids, Polio,
Alzheimer's, cancer and even the common cold.
"Once we understand the structure and function
of a biological system it gives us the capacity to influence that system.
It gives us the information we need to design new drugs and new therapies,"
said Archambault.
Hasson says that even with all the variation in
life we still use the same types of enzymes. She wants more people to
be aware of the intricate detail found in every single cell. "This is
such a beautiful aspect of the universe and its available for everyone,"
she said.
To examine the structure of acetate kinase or any
other protein structure go to www.rcsp.org.
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