The "Pac-Man enzyme" (IMAGE)

University of Konstanz

The "Pac-Man enzyme"

Caption

The image shows a structural model of the recently discovered plastic depolymerase, modelled using AlphaFold3. It has a particularly wide-open active centre to which large substrates, such as polymer chains, can bind. Models of the substrates bound to the active centre (modelled using AutoDock 4) are shown on the right for the bioplastics PCL and LCAP (PE-12,12), and for the beta-lactam antibiotic ampicillin. To the far left of the structural model is a flexible tail to which the membrane anchor (lipid anchor) can be attached.

Credit

The ISME Journal, DOI 10.1093/ismejo/wrag203, Figure 7 cropped

Usage Restrictions

Only for press purposes

License

Original content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.