CHM 4139 A
Assignment #1
For this assignment, you will pick a natural enzyme of your choice while respecting the following conditions (–20% if these conditions are not respected):
1. Cannot be an enzyme that I showed you in class
2. Cannot be a protease or aminotransferase
You will write a report describing this enzyme. ** I keep copies of all assignments from past courses. Do not plagiarize, as the evidence will be irrefutable. **
Goals
1. To learn about enzymes, using all the knowledge that you acquired in class
2. To learn how to do a comprehensive literature search on a specific topic
3. To learn how to write a report in a clear, concise and professional manner.
Instructions
1. Pick a natural enzyme that you like (except those listed above).
For help in choosing the enzyme, you can search on BRENDA (www.brenda- enzymes.org) or on the website of the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
(www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iubmb/enzyme)
2. Perform. a literature search to find out all that you can about this enzyme. These are the properties of the enzyme that you will need to cover in your assignment:
EC nomenclature, systematic name, nickname, and species from which it was isolated
Reaction catalyzed (show structures)
Number of amino acids in the sequence, molecular weight, oligomeric state
Cofactor used (if any), and its role in catalysis
Optimum pH and temperature
Kinetic parameters (KM and kcat), for natural substrates
Substrate specificity (i.e. list natural substrates known)
Catalytic residue(s) and type(s) of catalysis (other than “proximity and orientation catalysis” and “preferential transition state binding catalysis”)
Biological role
Active-site structure
Assay used to measure kinetic parameters (show reaction)
Inhibitor and type of inhibition
Mechanism
3. Write a report summarizing the findings from your literature review. Use the provided template to do this. It is crucial to find an enzyme for which you can report on all of the preceding properties.
4. Your report needs to cite a minimum of 5 research articles (not reviews) in which the
enzyme's properties are studied. Make sure that you read these articles in detail and cite them as you would in a research article. Additionally, deriving all your content from the introduction section of articles or ChatGPT or Wikipedia will not be accepted.
Requirements
Use the template provided
A minimum of 5 cited research articles, not reviews. (you will lose points if your references are not shown in a style. that is appropriate)
Append PDF files for all references used in your assignment.
If you think it useful, you can add text to describe in more detail any of the enzyme properties. Write in a clear style, i.e. you will lose points for grammar, syntax and orthographic errors. Be concise, clear, and specific.
Please ensure that your figures are not pixelated, and that the legends are clear.
DO NOT PLAGIARIZE FIGURE LEGENDS! Write them in your own words. It’s however OK to copy the image itself, as long as you state so and provide reference.
You need to provide me with an electronic copy (PDF format) of your report (on Brightspace NOT by email).
DUE DATE: November 4, 23:59. (–10% every day that it is late, starting at 00:00 on November 5)
Online resources
For finding general information on enzymes: www.brenda-enzymes.org, www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iubmb/enzyme
For searching research articles: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
For finding the structure of the enzyme: www.rcsb.org
Grading scheme (small variations are possible)
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Content
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10 points
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Figures
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20 points
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Quality of writing
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2 points
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References (including PDF files)
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3 points
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TOTAL
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35 points
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–10% every day that it is late, starting at 00:00 on November 5