Question #d2617

1 Answer
Apr 10, 2015

The histidine participates in the catalysis by way of acid-base proton transfers called a charge relay system.

We can eliminate the metal ion option, because histidine contains no metal.

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The histidine participates in a number of H-bonding interactions, but that is not one of the options.

Step 1

After the target enters the active site, the O atom in the OH group on serine performs a nucleophilic attack on the carbonyl carbon of a peptide, forming a tetrahedral oxyanion intermediate.

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The histidine acts as a base and accepts the proton from the OH group of serine.

Step 2

The oxyanion re-forms the carbonyl group and the amide bond is cleaved to form an acyl-enzyme intermediate.

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The newly-formed N-terminus takes back the proton from the protonated histidine.

Step 3

Water molecules now enter and hydrogen bond with the histidine.

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Step 4

The water now makes a nucleophilic attack on the carbonyl carbon of the acyl-enzyme intermediate and forms another oxyanion.

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The histidine accepts a proton from the water and forms a hydrogen bond to the serine.

Step 5

The serine oxygen deprotonates the histidine nitrogen and re-forms the original enzyme.

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