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Functional Characteristics and Catalytic Mechanisms of the Bacterial Hyaluronan Synthases
Author(s) -
Weigel Paul H.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1080/15216540214931
Subject(s) - catalysis , chemistry , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biophysics , biology
The first gene for a glycosaminoglycan synthase to be cloned was the hyaluronan (HA) synthase from S. pyogenes, which we reported in 1993. Since then, at least 20 bacterial, viral, or eukaryotic HA synthase gene or cDNA sequences and two bacterial chondroitin synthase genes have been reported. During the last decade a great deal has been elucidated about the structure, function, and mechanisms of action of the bacterial HA synthases, which are the focus of this review. Very rapid progress has been made in elucidating the mechanism of HA synthesis by the HA synthase from Pasteurella multocida . Although little of this information is applicable to understanding the mechanism of action of streptococcal HA synthases, good progress has also been made in understanding how these latter enzymes work.