Importance of C-Terminal Knot Structure in Carbonic Anhydrase II (Part I): Role of C-Terminal Knot Forming GLN253 on Enzymatic Property of Human Carbinic II

Abstract

In both, bovine and human carbonic anhydrase II, a conserved glutamine residue occupies the position in the middle of the knot, which is formed by intercrossing of C-terminal end with N-terminal region. Previous studies have indicated that C-terminus is not the part of an active site, but truncation of 7 amino acid residue in this region can have marked effects on stability of the enzyme (data not published). To gain further insight into the role of specific amino acid residue in C-terminal region, site directed mutagenesis was used to introduce point mutation. Substitution of glutamine with cysteine was chosen because the cysteine residue is less hydrophilic as compared with glutamine and thus, may disrupt the hydrophilic environment in this region. Result indicates that Gln253 located within the C-terminus knot topology plays a significant role in normal function of the enzyme. Thus, C-terminal region might mediate cooperativity between the central active site of the enzyme through proper formation of knot. Key words: Human carbonic anhydrase II; knot topology; point mutation J. bio-sci. 14: 1-9, 2006