Glucose Isomerase
https://www.brendaenzymes.org/enzyme.php?ecno=5.3.1.5
Students are to select an enzyme of industrial interest. It may be an enzyme which is part of a commercial
product or it may be an enzyme which is part of a manufacturing process. Enzymes which do not apparently
fall into one of these two areas may also be selected after approval of the course instructor.
Your task is to complete a term paper on the selected enzyme. The report must be divided into the following
sections, which should each be around 2 pages in length:
1) Introduction - Introduce the enzyme, its discovery, use and the reaction it mediates in general terms. You
should include its size and chemical properties.
2) Structure - Describe structural aspects of the enzyme, such as the key residues present in the active site.
Are there important inhibitors and how do they interact with the enzyme and its active site? Are there possible
modifications that could be made to alter the specificity of the enzyme? If the same enzyme is found from
different sources, what structural features distinguish these enzymes?
3) Kinetics - Discuss what is known about the kinetic properties of the enzyme, such as KM and kCAT. Does
the enzyme follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics? Do modifications in the enzyme alter the kinetic parameters?
4) Applications - Describe how the enzyme is produced and used. What is its original source and its
commercial source? In what products is it found?
5) Conclusions - Briefly mention any technical challenges or opportunities for the future. Are people interested
in this enzyme now? Are there some gaps in our understanding? What is needed to increase the use or
effectiveness of this enzyme?