So how exactly do you determine the structure and the functionality of something

that isvisibly impossible to see? The preferred technique for solving enzymes is called

crystallography. Using this, along with a few other analysis methods (see methods),

“Group 15 the Great” will set out with a plan of attack.

First, determine the general structure of the two villains: code names Cocaine and

Heroin. Once the molecular structure of these molecules is determined, they

should further be examined for anything in their structure which would help an

enzyme “grab hold” or bond to them. In most cases, this is the oxygen in the

molecule. Oxygen loves electrons and generally creates a negative charge on

one end of the molecule which can attract other molecules to it.

Meanwhile, the enzyme itself must be solved. In other words, the structure of the

actual binding site must be determined to see how the two molecules of cocaine

and heroin are able to fit in. Once the general shape of the enzyme’s

active site is determined, further analysis of the amino acids making up

the proteins in the active site need to be conducted. Specifically,

the oxygen groups on the cocaine and heroin molecules must match

up with specific amino acids in the active site in order to attract the molecules

to these sites. Also, flexibility in the amino acid sequence of

the protein should be determined- as flexibility in an active site

is crucial for an enzyme to act promiscuously.

If all these characteristics could be identified, then the mystery of the function of

MOLECULAR MAN (hCE1 Promiscuous enzyme) will be solved!