Visit the page by Amanda Erwood for DNA helicase. Ever wonder how DNA gets pried apart when it needs to be copied? Or how about when there is RNA to be made--how does the polymerase get in there? Look at this page to find out more.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Proteins you shouldn't miss: bifunctional enzyme
How many proteins contain two different enzymes, one of which makes a compound, and the other which breaks it down? (This may very well be the protein that inspired Stephen Wright's question of what would happen if you let a humidifier and dehumidifier duke it out in the same room.) How many proteins contain one form that is activated by one signal in muscle and inactivated by the same signal in liver?
To learn more, check out Alex Cortez's page on the bifunctional enzyme.
Proteins you shouldn't miss: malate synthase
Visit the page by Milton Herrold on malate synthase to see how it helps microorganisms as efficient as possible.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Proteins you shouldn't miss: choleratoxin
Though it was the year of the invasive protein, choleratoxin lost a close match to bacteriorhodopsin in the first round. Perhaps we were too calmed by its poppy-like appearance to take its venom seriously:
Check out Alyson de Walle's choleratoxin page to learn more.
Proteins you shouldn't miss: riboflavin synthase
Visit the page by Eric Prins for riboflavin synthase, a protein that faced an unfortunate early exit due to its match up with Final Four participant glutamine synthetase in the first round.
Riboflavin synthase, we hardly knew ye, and we are the poorer for it.
Friday, May 13, 2011
What's at stake
My fellow protein lovers, I present to you the Jane Richardson Cup:
The student's name and his or her winning structure will be displayed in the top medallion, and the names of the winner and the structure will be engraved on the base.
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