Structural Determinants Allowing Transferase Activity in SENSITIVE TO FREEZING 2, Classified as a Family I Glycosyl Hydrolase

Authors

• Rebecca Roston, University of Nebraska- LincolnFollow
• Kun Wang, Michigan State University
• Leslie A. Kuhn, Michigan State University
• Christoph Benning, Michigan State University

Document Type

Article

Citation

The Journal of Biological Chemistry VOL. 289, NO. 38, pp. 26089–26106, September 19, 2014

Comments

© 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc. Published in the U.S.A.

Abstract

Background: SENSITIVE TO FREEZING 2 (SFR2) is classified as a glycosyl hydrolase, and by using glycosyltransferase activity, it modifies membrane lipids to promote freeze tolerance.

Results: Although the active site of SFR2 is identical to hydrolases, adjacent loop regions contribute to its transferase activity.

Conclusion: Transferase activity evolved by modifications external to the core catalytic site.

Significance: Defined structure-function relationships will inform engineering of transferases and freeze tolerance.