Evolution of shape complementarity and catalytic efficiency from a primordial antibody template.

Xu, J; Deng, Q; Chen, J; Houk, K N; Bartek, J; Hilvert, D; Wilson, I A · Science · 1999

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The crystal structure of an efficient Diels-Alder antibody catalyst at 1.9 angstrom resolution reveals almost perfect shape complementarity with its transition state analog. Comparison with highly related progesterone and Diels-Alderase antibodies that arose from the same primordial germ line template shows the relatively subtle mutational steps that were able to evolve both structural complementarity and catalytic efficiency.

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