Evolution of Function in Flavoproteins
Author Information
Author(s): Ojha Sunil, Meng Elaine C, Babbitt Patricia C
Primary Institution: University of California San Francisco
Hypothesis
How do structural and biochemical constraints influence the evolution of new functions in flavoproteins?
Conclusion
The study shows that the evolution of enzyme functions in the tDBDF superfamily is constrained by the specific organization of cofactors in the active site.
Supporting Evidence
- The study identified conserved structural features that guide the evolution of new functions.
- Functional variation in the tDBDF superfamily is achieved through different protein interactions.
- The analysis revealed multiple connections among sequences that were previously linked only through pairwise comparisons.
Takeaway
This study looks at how certain proteins called flavoproteins have changed over time to do different jobs, while still keeping some things the same.
Methodology
The study used sequence and structural analysis of over 1,600 members of the tDBDF superfamily to assess functional and structural constraints.
Limitations
Only a small minority of the identified proteins have been experimentally characterized.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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