Sandbox Reserved 1068: Difference between revisions

Currently, isochorismate is believed to be formed from chorismate through a proposed Sn2 mechanism involving nucleophilic attack of an activated water molecule to the C2 center followed by either a concerted or stepwise elimination of the C4 hydroxyl group <ref>PMID:14982443</ref>. Lys205 has been proposed to act as the catalytic base, activating a water molecule in the active site by abstracting one of its protons. However, mutational analysis of Lys205 suggested that the lysine reside is not the sole determinant in the activation of a water molecule for nucleophilic attack of the C2 center. Studies have shown that Lys205 is protonated at neutral pH and therefore can't act as a base to activate the water molecule, agreeing with the mutational analysis data. Instead of Lys205, Glu297 residue has been proposed to act as a base in the activation of the water molecule. The magnesium ion forces the negatively charged Glu297 residue to face toward the active site and the pKa of Glu297 (3.9) suggest an unprotonated state. Furthermore, Glu297 forms a hydrogen bond with a water molecule within the active site as well as with Lys205, which is in turn hydrogen bonded to C1 carboxylate group of chorismate and the oxygen of the nucleophilic water molecule. The glutamic residue (Gly252) could protonate the C4 leaving hydroxyl group. The pKa of Gly252 (7.7) suggest that is it is the only protonated glutamate residue in the active site at pH 7 and thus able to protonate the C4 leaving group. The pKa of Gly252 also accounts for the accumulation of isochorismate at pH values below 7.5.  

'''chorismate mutase (CM)'''