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529: CO2 and You!

Closed since almost 14 years ago

Advanced Overall Design

Summary

Created
March 14, 2012
Expires
Max points
100
Description

Help fix this novel carbon-fixing enzyme. Try varying loop length and structures to make better scoring interactions with the ligand. In this puzzle, the first of a series, up to 7 residues can be added, and up to 10 can be removed. If you are new to Foldit, make sure you have completed Intro Puzzle 5-2, 7-1 through 7-4, 8-1 & 8-2 before trying this Advanced Science Puzzle. More info in the puzzle comments.

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Comments

CEiben Lv 1

Good question. Ligand 419 (B1) is actually a cofactor which aids in catalysis, and doesn't leave the enzyme (meaning it can be very buried since it only needs to find its way in once). Ligand 420 (C1) is the substrate which needs to get in and out of the enzyme. Enzymes are known to breath and be flexible, so there is some leeway, but it is theoretically possible to build a loop that would close off the active site completely. On the other hand, there are natural enzymes that have "caps" which close off the active site during catalysis before opening it back up to solvent. Basically it's safer to leave a space for the 420 (C1) to get in/out, but its theoretically possible to design a cap which is meant to open and close (though I don't know of any rationally designed examples off hand).

salish99 Lv 1

Does the CO2 adhere to the surface of the ligands for conversion, or how is the actual chemistry envisioned?
Adsoption, migration, conversion, or first anexchange of electrons in the vicinity of the protein, followed by dissolution of the CO2 molecule and reconfiguration?

jakbinimbol Lv 1

How do we add or remove residues?
Beta Helix said we can add 7 and remove up to 10.
I see only the mutate tool. We can only change but not add or remove.

spvincent Lv 1

You need to be in design mode (press 4) and ctrl-click on the residue where you want to add/delete.

beta_helix Staff Lv 1

Sorry, I have added these instructions:

If you are new to Foldit, make sure you have completed Intro Puzzle 5-2, 7-1 through 7-4, 8-1 & 8-2

CEiben Lv 1

This enzyme catalyzes a critical step in a new CO2 fixation pathway in which 1 carbon molecules are built up into larger molecules that work with native metabolism. So this enzyme doesn't work with CO2 directly and is only one step in a pathway.