The evolutionary origins and catalytic importance of conserved electrostatic networks within TIM-barrel proteins.

ABSTRACT: Conservation of function is the basic tenet of protein evolution. Conservation of key electrostatic properties is a frequently employed mechanism that leads to conserved function. In a previous report, we identified several conserved electrostatic properties in four protein families and one functionally diverse enzyme superfamily. In this report, we demonstrate the evolutionary and catalytic importance of electrostatic networks in three ubiquitous metabolic enzymes: triosephosphate isomerase, enolase, and transaldolase. Evolutionary importance is demonstrated using phylogenetic motifs (sequence fragments that parallel the overall familial phylogeny). Phylogenetic motifs frequently correspond to both catalytic residues and conserved interactions that fine-tune catalytic residue pKa values.

SUBMITTER: Livesay DR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2253277 | biostudies-literature | 2005 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature