This paper describes the mechanistic characterization of a yeast beta-1,3-D-glucan synthase (GS). GS is a proven target of FDA-approved antifungal drugs, but its catalytic mechanism is poorly understood. Using a newly developed size exclusion chromatography (SEC) assay, we were able to monitor the chain elongation for the first time and found that GS catalyzes the formation of a long glucan (~2,000 – 7,000 mer) at an amazing efficiency (~50-60 Glc unit polymerized per sec). The use of substrate analogs also revealed that the enzyme catalyzes the polymerization at the nonreducing end. The study also discusses the first comprehensive model of the GS catalytic cycle.
-
Search It!
-
Recent Entries
- Bach received TriCEM fellowship to study the natural evolution of antibiotics
- Hai’s paper on the discovery of radical SAM oxygenase is published in JACS
- Elisha and Rachel presented posters at SURF
- Chitin synthase structure paper was published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
- Haoran successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation
- Our latest manuscript about malayamycin biosynthesis was published in ACS Chemical Biology
- Haoran received 2021-2022 Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence (CARE)
- Our perspective on MoaA and MoaC is published in ACS Bio Med Chem Au
- Haoran’s paper is highlighted in JACS Spotlight
- Haoran’s paper is published in JACS.
-
Links