Activation of Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase through a disorder-->order transition of the substrate-binding site mediated by a calcium-sodium-calcium metal triad.
The structural basis as to how metals regulate the functional state of a protein by altering or stabilizing its conformation has been characterized in relatively few cases because the metal-free form of the protein is often partially disordered and u ...
The structural basis as to how metals regulate the functional state of a protein by altering or stabilizing its conformation has been characterized in relatively few cases because the metal-free form of the protein is often partially disordered and unsuitable for crystallographic analysis. This is not the case, however, for Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase (BLA) for which the structure of the metal-free form is available. BLA is a hyperthermostable enzyme which is widely used in biotechnology, for example in the breakdown of starch or as a component of detergents. The determination of the structure of BLA in the metal-containing form, together with comparisons to the apo enzyme, will help us to understand the way in which metal ions can regulate enzyme activity.
Related Citations: 
Crystal Structure of Thermostable Alpha-Amylase from Bacillus Licheniformis Refined at 1.7 A Resolution Hwang, K.Y.,Song, H.K.,Chang, C.,Lee, J.,Lee, S.Y.,Kim, K.K.,Choe, S.,Sweet, R.M.,Suh, S.W. (1997) Mol.Cells 7: 251
Crystal Structure of Calcium-Depleted Bacillus Licheniformis Alpha-Amylase at 2.2 A Resolution Machius, M.,Wiegand, G.,Huber, R. (1995) J.Mol.Biol. 246: 545
Organizational Affiliation: 
Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany. machius@chop.swmed.edu