Function
Asparaginase (ASP) catalyzes the conversion of asparagine to aspartic acid (AA). The ALL cells require high concentrations of asparagine which becomes scarce when high doses of ASP are present. Isoaspartyl peptidase/L-asparaginase (IPA) has activity of L-asparaginase and of β-aspartyl peptidase[1]. Glycosylasparaginase (GASP) plays an imortant role in asparagine-linked glycoprotein degradation[2].
Relevance
ASP I is used in the food processing industry to reduce the formation of the carcinogen acrylamide in the production of starchy food products[3]. A different kind of ASP – ASP II – is used as drug (Elspar) in the treatment of cancer such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)[4].
Disease
GASP mutants cause the autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease aspartylglycosaminuria[5].
Structural highlights
.[6] Ligands asparagine (in white) and aspartic acid (in salmon) are shown in spacefill representation.
- , chain A. Water molecules shown as red spheres.
- , chain A.
- .
3D structures of asparaginase
Asparaginase 3D structures