Biomaterial Database

A conserved cysteine residue in yeast uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase is not essential for enzymatic activity. 1997

C Di Flumeri, and N H Acheson, and T Keng

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada. charlie@nexus.microimm.mcgill.ca

Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase catalyzes the fifth step of heme biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Studies utilizing sulfhydryl-specific reagents suggest that the enzyme requires a cysteine residue within the catalytic site. This hypothesis was tested directly by site-directed mutagenesis of highly conserved cysteine-52 to serine or alanine. Plasmids containing these mutations were able to complement a hem6 mutant strain. In addition, properties associated with decreased uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity were not detected in the mutant strain transformed with these mutant plasmids. These results suggest that the conserved cysteine-52 by itself is not essential for enzymatic activity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010957	Plasmids	Extrachromosomal, usually CIRCULAR DNA molecules that are self-replicating and transferable from one organism to another. They are found in a variety of bacterial, archaeal, fungal, algal, and plant species. They are used in GENETIC ENGINEERING as CLONING VECTORS.	Episomes,Episome,Plasmid
D003545	Cysteine	A thiol-containing non-essential amino acid that is oxidized to form CYSTINE.	Cysteine Hydrochloride,Half-Cystine,L-Cysteine,Zinc Cysteinate,Half Cystine,L Cysteine
D000409	Alanine	A non-essential amino acid that occurs in high levels in its free state in plasma. It is produced from pyruvate by transamination. It is involved in sugar and acid metabolism, increases IMMUNITY, and provides energy for muscle tissue, BRAIN, and the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Abufène,Alanine, L-Isomer,L-Alanine,Alanine, L Isomer,L Alanine,L-Isomer Alanine
D012441	Saccharomyces cerevisiae	A species of the genus SACCHAROMYCES, family Saccharomycetaceae, order Saccharomycetales, known as "baker's" or "brewer's" yeast. The dried form is used as a dietary supplement.	Baker's Yeast,Brewer's Yeast,Candida robusta,S. cerevisiae,Saccharomyces capensis,Saccharomyces italicus,Saccharomyces oviformis,Saccharomyces uvarum var. melibiosus,Yeast, Baker's,Yeast, Brewer's,Baker Yeast,S cerevisiae,Baker's Yeasts,Yeast, Baker
D012694	Serine	A non-essential amino acid occurring in natural form as the L-isomer. It is synthesized from GLYCINE or THREONINE. It is involved in the biosynthesis of PURINES; PYRIMIDINES; and other amino acids.	L-Serine,L Serine
D014170	Transformation, Genetic	Change brought about to an organisms genetic composition by unidirectional transfer (TRANSFECTION; TRANSDUCTION, GENETIC; CONJUGATION, GENETIC, etc.) and incorporation of foreign DNA into prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells by recombination of part or all of that DNA into the cell's genome.	Genetic Transformation,Genetic Transformations,Transformations, Genetic
D014575	Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase	An enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylation of UROPORPHYRINOGEN III to coproporphyrinogen III by the conversion of four acetate groups to four methyl groups. It is the fifth enzyme in the 8-enzyme biosynthetic pathway of HEME. Several forms of cutaneous PORPHYRIAS are results of this enzyme deficiency as in PORPHYRIA CUTANEA TARDA; and HEPATOERYTHROPOIETIC PORPHYRIA.	Uroporphyrinogen Carboxy-Lyase,Uroporphyrinogen III Decarboxylase,Carboxy-Lyase, Uroporphyrinogen,Decarboxylase, Uroporphyrinogen,Decarboxylase, Uroporphyrinogen III,Uroporphyrinogen Carboxy Lyase
D015966	Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control of gene action in fungi.	Fungal Gene Expression Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression, Fungal,Regulation, Gene Expression, Fungal
D015971	Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control of gene action in enzyme synthesis.	Enzymologic Gene Expression Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression, Enzymologic,Regulation, Gene Expression, Enzymologic
D016297	Mutagenesis, Site-Directed	Genetically engineered MUTAGENESIS at a specific site in the DNA molecule that introduces a base substitution, or an insertion or deletion.	Mutagenesis, Oligonucleotide-Directed,Mutagenesis, Site-Specific,Oligonucleotide-Directed Mutagenesis,Site-Directed Mutagenesis,Site-Specific Mutagenesis,Mutageneses, Oligonucleotide-Directed,Mutageneses, Site-Directed,Mutageneses, Site-Specific,Mutagenesis, Oligonucleotide Directed,Mutagenesis, Site Directed,Mutagenesis, Site Specific,Oligonucleotide Directed Mutagenesis,Oligonucleotide-Directed Mutageneses,Site Directed Mutagenesis,Site Specific Mutagenesis,Site-Directed Mutageneses,Site-Specific Mutageneses