Kazlauskas RJ. Molecular modeling and biocatalysis: explanations, predictions, limitations, and opportunities.
Curr Opin Chem Biol 2000;
4:81-8. [PMID:
10679382 DOI:
10.1016/s1367-5931(99)00056-3]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Rapid advances in structural biology have revealed the three-dimensional structures of many biocatalysts. Molecular modeling is the tool that links these structures with experimental observations. As a qualitative tool, current modeling methods are extremely useful. They can explain, on a molecular level, unusual features of reactions. They can predict how to increase the selectivity either by substrate modification or by site-directed mutagenesis. Quantitative predictions, for example the degree of enantioselectivity, are still not reliable, however. Modeling is limited also by the availability of three-dimensional structures. Most current modeling involves hydrolases, especially proteases and lipases, but structures for other types of enzymes are starting to appear.
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