title: Involvement of active site in self-association of proteins: a case of alpha-chymotrypsin.
abstract: The self-association of proteolytic enzymes can be looked upon as an interesting possibility of the manifestation of enzyme-substrate complex. Hence the involvement of active site in such processes is a centre of investigation for many years. In the case of alpha-chymotrypsin, considerable controversy exists with regard to the involvement of active site of the enzyme in its self-association. A historical perspective of the problem and an overview of the available evidence, for and against, is presented and critically analysed. Despite contradicting observations, accumulated evidence indicates that His-57 and Ser-195 at the active site are involved, at least partially, in the self-association; a few other groups such as Tyr-146 and Met-192 are also involved in such processes.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ramakrishna
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Pandit
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002918:Chymotrypsin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D002918:Chymotrypsin