Search

α-Amylases are endo-acting retaining enzymes of glycoside hydrolase family 13 with a catalytic (β/α)8-domain containing an inserted loop referred to as domain B and a C-terminal anti-parallel β-sheet termed domain C. New insights integrate the roles of Ca2 + , different substrates, and proteinaceous inhibitors for α-amylases. Isozyme specific effects of Ca2 + on the 80% sequence identical barley α-amylases AMY1 and AMY2 are not obvious from the two crystal structures, containing three superimposable Ca2 + with identical ligands. A fully hydrated fourth Ca2 + at the interface of the AMY2/barley α-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor (BASI) complex interacts with catalytic groups in AMY2, and Ca2 + occupies an identical position in AMY1 with thiomaltotetraose bound at two surface sites. EDTA-treatment, DSC, and activity assays indicate that AMY1 has the highest affinity for Ca2 + . Subsite mapping has revealed that AMY1 has ten functional subsites which can be modified by means protein engineering to modulate t...