Based on sequence homology to an enzyme of the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, you suspect a newly discovered enzyme has a key amino acid that acts as a general base early in a mechanism. The enzyme has 50% of its maximal activity at pH=5.0.
Added by John C.
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Since it is suspected to act as a general base, it likely facilitates the deprotonation of a substrate or an intermediate, which is crucial for the reaction to proceed. Show moreā¦
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