| Branching enzyme plays a key role in determining the final structure of glycogen or starch; this outcome structure is unique to every species, therefore the diversity of branching enzymes structures. While the biosynthesis of the polymers constitutes of three major steps, the last reaction of the pathway catalyzed by branching enzyme embodies the cleavage of the alpha-1,4 glycosidic bond and the transfer of the produced oligosaccharide to the specific alpha-1,6 position creating an alpha-1,6 branch point. This process results in highly branched polymeric structures, which represent major carbon sources and carbohydrate storage compounds in living organisms, and are essential both in nature and industry.;The structure of Escherichia coli glycogen branching enzyme has been solved both in the apo and holo forms. Binding to linear and cyclic oligosaccharides has been studied and showed seven external binding sites, but binding in the active site was not seen. Oligomers longer than previously used were investigated in an attempt to see binding in the catalytic center, only to discover more peripheral binding sites seemingly independent of each other. Examining the binding sites' locations and sugars' orientations indicates that these sites probably cooperate together in order to hold the long sugar polymer on the surface of the protein during the branching reaction. Hypotheses regarding the mode of binding between E. coli branching enzyme and the sugar during the reaction, and the roles for key binding sites and residues in the mechanism are proposed.;Rice branching enzyme I, a starch branching enzyme, was also previously crystallized and the structure of the truncated version was solved. Binding attempts on this protein showed surface binding sites as well. In an effort to better understand the mechanism of action of this enzyme, we crystallized the protein and soaked it in a 12-unit oligomer, which bound to the enzyme hanging over the active site without reaching into the groove. Two new binding sites were discovered for this protein and the residues involved were identified. There are several hydrogen bonds and aromatic stacking interactions within the binding sties. Hypotheses for the binding mode and reaction mechanism are proposed.;In addition, we have worked on ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylases that catalyze the first step in the biosynthesis pathway. The small subunit of the protein expresses as a homotetramer that is highly active. Although the potato tuber form was previously expressed in a collaborating laboratory at extremely small levels, and the protein was crystallized in the inactive form in the Geiger lab, our intensive attempts only succeeded in purifying the protein of interest, but the enzyme would precipitate instead of concentrating. |
