In this study, the aim was to investigate the effects of exponential feeding strategy on benzaldehyde lyase (BAL) production by recombinant Escherichia coli BL21. For this purpose, the effects of medium components were investigated to optimize the initial medium composition of the fed-batch fermentations. For the batch bioreactor operations, the highest cell concentration and BAL activity were achieved in a media containing 30 g L-1 pretreated molasses, and 5 g L-1 (NH4)2HPO4 as 5.07 g L-1, and 1611 U ml-1 at t=8 h, respectively. Thereafter, in order to increase the cell growth and BAL production while avoiding acetate accumulation, fed-batch bioreactor operations were conducted with exponential feeding at different specific growth rates namely, 0.1 h-1 (mu-0.1), 0.15 h-1 (mu-0.15), and 0.2 h-1 (mu-0.2), and a combined exponential and constant feeding (mu-0.2+) strategy. In the experiments, 9 hours of batch-wise operation with the optimized production medium was followed by a fed-batch operation phase using the pre-determined exponential feeding profiles and for mu-0.2+ operation after 10 hours of exponential feeding as mu-0.2, where the feed rate was kept constant at 21.6 g h-1. Additionally, the plasmid stability was investigated using the feeding method of mu-0.2+ operation with antibiotics in the feed solution, and it was observed that the plasmid was stable. Among the three exponential feeding conditions, the highest cell concentration and BAL activity were determined in

Grewia optiva är en utav många outnyttjade stjälkfibrer som skulle kunna bidra till ökandet utav de naturliga fiberalternativen. Fibern har idag inte så många användningsområden på grund utav dess hårda och styva uppbyggnad, vilket gör den svår att spinna till garn. På uppdrag av organisationen Bhartiya Gramotthan Sanstha (BGS) har i detta projekt en redan befintlig metod utvecklats för att förädla fibern. Vad som främst eftersöktes var nedbrytandet av pektin som är en av de faktorer som bidrar till fiberns hårda och styva struktur. I metoden användes biologiskt nedbrytbara enzym som katalysatorer. En fungerande metod skulle kunna öka användningsområdet hos stjälkfibrer generellt och öka möjligheten till användandet utav fler naturliga fibrer. Enzymet som har använts i metoden är ett pektatlyas EC 4.2.2.2 som katalyserar reaktionen som sker då pektinmolekyler klyvs. För att effektivisera processen adderades en komplexbildare, EDTA, som tidigare visat goda resultat för lin. Efter enzymbehandlingen skedde en viktreduktion av fibrerna samt förändring av deras utseende. I svepelektronmikroskop observerades förändring av ytstruktur samt separation mellan fiberbuntarna. Dessa parametrar är viktiga och har stor inverkan på spinnbarheten hos fibrer. I projektet har försök att spinna fibern gjorts men inte lyckats helt. Förändringen på ytstruktur och separation mellan fibrerna tyder dock på att behandlingen är ett steg i rätt riktning. / Grewia optiva is one of many unused bast fibres that could contribute to an increase of natural textile fibres on the industrial market. This fibre has to-day not as many applications due to its stiff and hard structure that makes the fibre difficult to spin into yarn. On behalf of the organisation Bhartiya Gramotthan Sanstha (BGS) has an existing method been developed to process the Grewia optiva fibre. The method is developed to break down substances like pectin that is responsi-ble for the hard and stiff structure of the fibre. Degradable biological en-zymes were used as catalyser in the method. With a functioning method like this the applications of bast fibres could increase and contribute to the use of more natural fibres. The enzyme used to catalyse the chemical reaction and the cleavage of pec-tin molecules in this method was a pectate lyase EC 4.2.2.2. In this method EDTA was used as a chelator to efficient the chemical process. EDTA has been used as a chelator in earlier reports and showed good results. After the enzymatic treatment a weight reduction of the fibre was notable. In SEM-analysis separation between fibres and changes on the fibre surfaces was observed. These parameters are important and affect the spinning capability of the fibre. To test the spinning capability of the enzyme treated fibre they were spun in a ring spinning system, unfortunately not successfully. The surface changes and the separation shows that the enzymatic treatment had occurred and indicates that the method has developed in the right direction.

The enzyme L-methionine γ-lyase (MGL) utilizes a pyridoxal-5’-phosphate-cofactor in order to convert L-methionine to α-ketobutyrate, ammonia and methyl mercaptan. MGL is proposed to be a potential drug target since it is expressed in the human pathogens, Trichomonas vaginalis and Entamoeba histolytica, but not in humans. There is currently a need to find alternative drug targets for these pathogens, because the misuse and overuse of the currently prescribed drugs of choice, metronidazole and tinidazole, have lead to drug resistance. The overall goal of this thesis was to examine the chemistry of MGL 1 from T. vaginalis (TvMGL1) by probing the active site by site-directed mutagenesis and with fluorinated methionine analogs. The mutation of the active site residue Cys113 to Ser led to a 5-fold decrease in turnover rate for L-methionine relative to the wild-type enzyme. The results suggest that the active site C113 residue plays an important role in catalysis and is consistent with literature reports for MGL homologs from Pseudomonas putida and E. histolytica. Probing the active site of TvMGL1 with the fluorinated methionine analogs, L-difluoromethionine (DFM) and L-trifluoromethionine (TFM), were found to increase the turnover rate of the enzyme with an increase in fluorine substitution. The results suggest that the bulky fluorine atoms do not interfere with the Michaelis-Menten kinetics of the enzyme, and the γ-elimination step is rate determining. The second goal of this thesis was to identify the reactive intermediates generated by the processing of TFM and the uninvestigated DFM by TvMGL1, and to investigate the theoretical and experimental chemistry and biochemistry of these fluorinated groups (CF3S- and CF2HS-). The reactivity of the intermediates, generated from the processing of DFM by TvMGL1 was correlated to the cytotoxicity observed in model organisms expressing TvMGL1, and consistent with the hypothesis that the intermediates will result in the thioformylation of primary amines. The results suggest that cytotoxicity requires thioacylation of a single primary amine, while sequential cross-linking of primary amines is not an absolute requirement. The relationship between the chemical structure of the reactive intermediates produced from the enzymatic processing of these analogs and their cellular toxicity is discussed. Attempts at the synthesis of 3,3-difluoro-O-methyl-L-homoserine were undertaken in order to examine the catalytic mechanism of TvMGL1, since the compound is expected to inhibit the enzyme. To ensure that the oxo moiety does not impede the chemistry of the enzyme, the analog, O-methyl-L-homoserine was examined as a potential substrate for TvMGL1. Several synthetic routes to 3,3-difluoro-O-methyl-L-homoserine were examined; however, attempts to fluorinate the β-carbon atom of the starting material were unsuccessful.

In this study, the effects of bioprocess operation parameters on benzaldehyde lyase production were systematically investigated. For this purpose, the research program was carried out in mainly four parts. In the first part of the study, Escherichia coli K12 (ATCC 10798), having the highest benzaldehyde lyase production capacity, was selected as the host microorganism. Next, using the selected microorganism, the production medium was designed in terms of its carbon and nitrogen sources. Among the investigated media, the highest cell concentration and benzaldehyde lyase activity were obtained as 1.8 kg m-3 and 745 U cm-3, respectively, in the medium containing 8.0 kg m-3 glucose, 5.0 kg m-3 (NH4)2HPO4 and the salt solution. Thereafter, by using the designed medium, the effects of bioreactor operation parameters, i.e., oxygen transfer and pH, were investigated in pilot scale bioreactor. Oxygen transfer effects on benzaldehyde lyase production were investigated at QO/VR=0.5 vvm / N=250, 375, 500, 625, 750 min-1 and at QO/VR=0.7 vvm, N=750 min-1 conditions. The highest cell concentration and benzaldehyde lyase activity were obtained at 0.5 vvm, 500 min-1 condition as 2.3 kg m-3 and 860 U cm-3, respectively. Finally, the effect of pH was investigated for benzaldehyde lyase production process at Qo/VR=0.5 vvm, N=500 min-1 condition, at pHC=5.0, 6.4, 6.7, 7.0, 7.2 and 7.8 values. Among the investigated pH values, the highest cell concentration and enzyme activity were obtained at pHC=7.0 condition as 2.1 kg m-3 / 775 U cm-3. However, the values obtained at this condition, were lower than the values obtained at pHUC=7.2 uncontrolled pH operation. Hence, medium oxygen transfer condition and uncontrolled pH operation are found to be favorable for benzaldehyde lyase production.

In this study, the benzaldehyde lyase (BAL, EC 4.1.2.38) production in E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLySs as intracellular and in Bacillus species as extracellular were investigated, and comparison of the production capacity of the enzyme in the developed recombinant microorganisms were compared. For this purpose, firstly, PCR amplified bal gene was cloned into pRSETA vector which is under the control of strong T7 promoter and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS strain. With developed recombinant E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLySs cells, the effect of bioprocess parameters was systematically investigated. Among the investigated media, the highest cell concentration and benzaldehyde lyase activity were obtained as 2.0 kg m-3 and 1060 U cm-3, respectively, in the medium containing 20.0 kg m-3 glucose, 11.8 kg m-3 (NH4)2HPO4 and the salt solution. Thereafter, oxygen transfer effects on benzaldehyde lyase production were investigated at air inlet v rate of QO/VR = 0.5 vvm, and agitation rates of N=500 and 750 min-1 and at QO/VR = 0.7 vvm, N=750 min-1 in pilot scale bioreactor and the highest cell concentration and volumetric BAL activity were found as 1.7 kg m-3 and 990 U cm-3, respectively, at 0.5 vvm, 750 min-1 condition. Next, the signal DNA sequence of serine alkaline protease (SAP) from B. licheniformis DSM 1969 chromosomal DNA (pre-subC) was fused in front of the bal by using PCR-based gene splicing by overlap extension (SOE) method. The fusion product of hybrid gene first cloned into pUC19 plasmid, thereafter sub-cloned into pBR374 shuttle vector and recombinant plasmid was transferred into various Bacillus species. However, no extracellular production of benzaldehyde lyase was observed in none of the developed recombinant Bacillus species, probably because of ineffective secretion system, inefficient folding of heterologous protein, degradation of enzyme due to proteolytic activity or high inactivation rate of the enzyme.

Univ., Diss.--Regensburg, 2000.

Introdução: A acidemia 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutárica é causada pela deficiência da 3-hidroxi-3-metil-glutaril-CoA-liase, uma enzima do metabolismo da leucina, levando ao acúmulo, especialmente, do ácido 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutárico nos tecidos. Estudos sugerem que o estresse oxidativo pode contribuir para os danos neurológicos observados em algumas acidúrias orgânicas. Objetivo: Avaliar parâmetros de estresse oxidativo em pacientes com acidúria 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutárica antes e após o tratamento. Materiais e Métodos: Amostras de sangue e urina foram coletadas de pacientes no momento do diagnóstico e após tratamento com dieta com restrição de proteínas e suplementação de L-carnitina (100mg/kg/dia) e de controles. O TBA, um subproduto final da peroxidação lipídica, foi medido no plasma. A determinação do teor de carbonilas e de grupos sulfidrila, marcadores de dano oxidativo a proteínas, foi realizada no plasma. Para avaliar na urina a oxidação de proteínas, os níveis de di-tirosina foram medidos por autofluorescência. O ensaio da capacidade antioxidante urinária foi realizado utilizando um kit comercial. Os níveis de carnitina livre e isovalerilcarnitina foram analisados em amostras de sangue por espectrometria de massas em tandem usando o método de monitorização de reação múltipla (MRM). A concentração de proteínas foi determinada pelo método de biureto em amostras de plasma usando um kit comercial. Resultados e Discussão: Os resultados demonstraram um aumento significativo nos níveis de isovalerilcarnitina em sangue total, das concentrações plasmáticas de malondialdeído e urinárias de di-tirosina, além de uma redução significativa da capacidade antioxidante urinária e dos níveis sanguíneos de carnitina livre nos pacientes no momento do diagnóstico em relação aos controles. Verificou-se uma diminuição nas concentrações do malondialdeído plasmático e da di-tirosina na urina dos pacientes tratados, o que sugere um efeito de proteção do tratamento sobre a peroxidação de lípidos e do dano oxidativo a proteínas, bem como uma normalização dos níveis de L-carnitina durante o tratamento. Conclusões: Esses resultados permitem sugerir que o estresse oxidativo ocorre em pacientes com acidemia 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutárica e que o tratamento com a dieta restrita de proteína e suplementada com L-carnitina pode oferecer proteção contra o dano oxidativo a biomoléculas. / Introduction: The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acidemia is caused by the deficiency of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA lyase, an enzyme of leucine metabolism, leading to accumulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid in tissues. Studies have suggested that oxidative stress may contribute to the neurological damage observed in some organic acidurias. Objective: Evaluate oxidative stress parameters in patients with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria patiets before and after treatment. Materials and Methods: Blood and urine samples were collected from patients at diagnosis and after treatment with restricted protein diet and supplemented with L-carnitine (100mg/kg/dia) and from controls. TBA , an end subproduct of lipid peroxidation, was measured in plasma. Determination of carbonyl and sulphydryl content, biomarkers of oxidative damage to proteins, was done in plasma. To assess urine protein oxidation, levels of di-tyrosine were measured by autofluorescence. The assay of antioxidant urinary capacity was performed using a commercial kit. The levels of free carnitine and isovalerylcarnitine were analyzed in blood samples by tandem mass spectrometry using the method of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Protein content was determined by the biuret method for plasma samples using a commercial kit. Results and Discussion: The results demonstrated a significant increase of total blood isovalerylcarnitine, malondialdehyde plasma concentrations and di-tyrosine urinary levels and a significant reduction of the urinary antioxidant capacity and free-carnitine blood levels in pacients at diagnosis compared to controls. It was verified a decrease in plasma malondialdehyde concentrations and urinary di-tyrosine levels in treated patients, suggesting a protective effect of the treatment on lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative damage, as well as a normalization of L-carnitine levels during treatment. Conclusions: These results allow to suggest that oxidative stress occurs in 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA lyase deficient patients and treatment with restricted protein diet and L-carnitine may offer protection against oxidative damage.

Introdução: A acidemia 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutárica é causada pela deficiência da 3-hidroxi-3-metil-glutaril-CoA-liase, uma enzima do metabolismo da leucina, levando ao acúmulo, especialmente, do ácido 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutárico nos tecidos. Estudos sugerem que o estresse oxidativo pode contribuir para os danos neurológicos observados em algumas acidúrias orgânicas. Objetivo: Avaliar parâmetros de estresse oxidativo em pacientes com acidúria 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutárica antes e após o tratamento. Materiais e Métodos: Amostras de sangue e urina foram coletadas de pacientes no momento do diagnóstico e após tratamento com dieta com restrição de proteínas e suplementação de L-carnitina (100mg/kg/dia) e de controles. O TBA, um subproduto final da peroxidação lipídica, foi medido no plasma. A determinação do teor de carbonilas e de grupos sulfidrila, marcadores de dano oxidativo a proteínas, foi realizada no plasma. Para avaliar na urina a oxidação de proteínas, os níveis de di-tirosina foram medidos por autofluorescência. O ensaio da capacidade antioxidante urinária foi realizado utilizando um kit comercial. Os níveis de carnitina livre e isovalerilcarnitina foram analisados em amostras de sangue por espectrometria de massas em tandem usando o método de monitorização de reação múltipla (MRM). A concentração de proteínas foi determinada pelo método de biureto em amostras de plasma usando um kit comercial. Resultados e Discussão: Os resultados demonstraram um aumento significativo nos níveis de isovalerilcarnitina em sangue total, das concentrações plasmáticas de malondialdeído e urinárias de di-tirosina, além de uma redução significativa da capacidade antioxidante urinária e dos níveis sanguíneos de carnitina livre nos pacientes no momento do diagnóstico em relação aos controles. Verificou-se uma diminuição nas concentrações do malondialdeído plasmático e da di-tirosina na urina dos pacientes tratados, o que sugere um efeito de proteção do tratamento sobre a peroxidação de lípidos e do dano oxidativo a proteínas, bem como uma normalização dos níveis de L-carnitina durante o tratamento. Conclusões: Esses resultados permitem sugerir que o estresse oxidativo ocorre em pacientes com acidemia 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutárica e que o tratamento com a dieta restrita de proteína e suplementada com L-carnitina pode oferecer proteção contra o dano oxidativo a biomoléculas. / Introduction: The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acidemia is caused by the deficiency of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA lyase, an enzyme of leucine metabolism, leading to accumulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid in tissues. Studies have suggested that oxidative stress may contribute to the neurological damage observed in some organic acidurias. Objective: Evaluate oxidative stress parameters in patients with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria patiets before and after treatment. Materials and Methods: Blood and urine samples were collected from patients at diagnosis and after treatment with restricted protein diet and supplemented with L-carnitine (100mg/kg/dia) and from controls. TBA , an end subproduct of lipid peroxidation, was measured in plasma. Determination of carbonyl and sulphydryl content, biomarkers of oxidative damage to proteins, was done in plasma. To assess urine protein oxidation, levels of di-tyrosine were measured by autofluorescence. The assay of antioxidant urinary capacity was performed using a commercial kit. The levels of free carnitine and isovalerylcarnitine were analyzed in blood samples by tandem mass spectrometry using the method of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Protein content was determined by the biuret method for plasma samples using a commercial kit. Results and Discussion: The results demonstrated a significant increase of total blood isovalerylcarnitine, malondialdehyde plasma concentrations and di-tyrosine urinary levels and a significant reduction of the urinary antioxidant capacity and free-carnitine blood levels in pacients at diagnosis compared to controls. It was verified a decrease in plasma malondialdehyde concentrations and urinary di-tyrosine levels in treated patients, suggesting a protective effect of the treatment on lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative damage, as well as a normalization of L-carnitine levels during treatment. Conclusions: These results allow to suggest that oxidative stress occurs in 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA lyase deficient patients and treatment with restricted protein diet and L-carnitine may offer protection against oxidative damage.

Orientador: Jorge Vega / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T03:46:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gouvea_JorgeAlbertode_D.pdf: 1143224 bytes, checksum: 108744e4f1f8e8833644140838007856 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo:A aplicação de determinados reguladores de crescimento em plantas pode resultar na indução de resistência contra ataques subseqüentes de patógenos. Este fenômeno é conhecido como resistência sistêmica adquirida (SAR) e vários mecanismos estão envolvidos, entre eles a resposta de hipersensibilidade (HR), o aumento na atividade das enzimas peroxidases (POX) e da fenilalanina amônia-liase (PAL) nos tecidos resistentes. A fim de se detenninar o efeito do ácido salicílico (AS) e de um brassinolídeo (BR 16) na resposta hipersensível, plantas de feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cultivar Moruna (nc) foram tratadas com estes reguladores de crescimento e inoculadas com o Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV). Detenninou-se o número de lesões necróticas das folhas primárias e a atividade das enzimas guaiacol peroxidases (g-POX) e PAL. Houve uma redução significativa no número de lesões necróticas nas plantas tratadas com ambos os reguladores de crescimento e um aumento significativo na atividade das g-POX, mas nenhum efeito na atividade da PAL. O efeito da aplicação de AS e BR 16 na resposta suscetível foi verificado através da aplicação destes reguladores de crescimento em plantas de feijoeiro da cultivar lalo, inoculadas com o SBMV. Os tratamentos promoveram uma redução significativa na concentração viral na sa folha trifoliolada, 28 dias após a inoculação das folhas primárias. Os resultados indicam que as aplicações de ácido salicílico e do brassinolídeo BR 16 podem ter promovido uma indução de resistência tanto local quanto sistêmica, em plantas de feijoeiro. O aumento na atividade das enzimas g-POX, envolvidas nos processos de detoxificação de espécies reativas de oxigênio, promovido pelo tratamento com ambos os reguladores de crescimento, sugere uma participação destas na redução do número de lesões necróticas das plantas inoculadas com o SBMV / Abstract: The use of certain growth regulators in plants can result in the induction of resistance against attacks of some plant pathogens. This phenomenon is known as Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) and several mechanisms are involved in the induction of SAR.,among them are the Hypersensitive Reaction (HR), the increase in the activity of some enzymes like peroxidases (POX) and Phenylalanine ammonia-Iyase (PAL). Two different growth regulators (salicylic acid "SA" and a brassinosteroid "BR 16") were used in order to determine the induction of local resistance in bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) of cultivar Moruna (nc). Afier the application, the plants were mechanically inoculated with Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV), genus Sobemovirus. The number of necrotic lesion was determined in the the primary leaves and the activity of the enzymes guaiacol peroxidases (g-POX) and Phenylalanine ammonia-Iyase (pAL) were also measured. There was a significant reduction in the number of necrotic lesions in the treated plants with both growth regulators and a significant increase in the activity ofthe g-POX, but there was no effect in the PAL activity. The effect ofthe application of SA and BR 16 in the induction of systemic resistance was verified through the application of these growth regulators in bean plants cultivar Jalo, inoculated with SBMV. The treatments promoted a significant reduction in the viral concentration in the SIDleaf, 28 days afier the inoculation of the primary leaves. The results indicated that the applications of SA and of the BR 16 promoted both local and systemic resistances. The increase in the activity of the guaiacol peroxidases, enzymes involved in the scavenning of reactive oxygen species, caused by the treatment with both growth regulators, suggested a contribution in the reduction of the number of necrotic lesions in the plants inoculated with SBMV. The use of SA and BR 16 did not change the activity of PAL, enzyme involved in the lignification process and in the mechanisms of plant defense against infections / Doutorado / Doutor em Biologia Vegetal

Abstract Enzymes catalyze chemical changes in biological systems. Therefore, to understand the chemistry of living systems, it is important to understand the enzyme structure and the chemistry of the enzyme's functional groups which are involved in catalysis. In this study, structure and function relationships of two enzymes, (1) α-methylacyl-CoA racemase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MCR) and (2) argininosuccinate lyase from Escherichia coli (eASL) have been studied using X-ray crystallography. The main focus of this study has been understanding the structure-function relationship of MCR. The eASL has been crystallized from a highly concentrated sample of purified recombinant α-methylacyl-CoA racemase in which it occurred as a minor impurity. The structure of eASL has been solved using molecular replacement at 2.44 Å resolution. The enzyme is a tetramer, but in this crystal form there is a dimer in the asymmetric unit. Each active site is constructed from loops of three different subunits. One of these catalytic loops, near residue Ser277 and Ser278, has been disordered in the previous structures of active lyases, but is very well ordered in this structure in one of the subunits due to the presence of two phosphate ions in the respective active site cavity. The positions of these phosphate ions indicate a plausible mode of binding of the succinate moiety of the substrate in the competent catalytic complex and therefore this structure has provided new information on the reaction mechanism of this class of enzymes. α-Methylacyl-CoA racemase (Amacr) catalyzes the racemization of α-methyl-branched CoA esters. An Amacr homologue from the eubacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, referred to as MCR, was taken as a model protein. MCR was purified, crystallized and the structure of unliganded protein was determined at 1.8 Å resolution using the MIRAS procedure. The structure shows that the enzyme is an interlocked dimer. To understand the reaction mechanism and the mode of substrate binding, several crystallographic binding studies were done using both wild type MCR and mutant H126A MCR crystals. In particular, the structures of the wild type MCR-complexes with (R, S)-ibuprofenoyl-CoA (1.85 Å), (R)-2-methylmyristoyl-CoA (1.6 Å) and (S)-2-methylmyristoyl-CoA (1.7 Å) were important in this respect. These crystal structures show that Asp156 and His126 are the two catalytic residues which are involved in proton donation and abstraction, respectively; when the (S)-enantiomeric substrate is bound in the active site and vice versa when the (R)-enantiomeric substrate is bound. The tight geometry of the active site also shows that His126 and Asp156 are involved in stabilizing the transition state. These crystal structures show that in the active site of MCR, there is one binding pocket for the CoA part and there are two different binding pockets (R-pocket and S-pocket) connected by a hydrophobic methionine rich surface for binding the fatty acyl part of the substrate. After substrate binding, proton abstraction takes place which produces a planar intermediate. Then, donation of a proton to the other side of the planar intermediate changes the configuration at the chiral center. During the stereochemical interconversion of the two enantiomers, the acyl group moves between R-pocket and S-pocket by sliding over the hydrophobic surface connecting these two pockets.