Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

In Vitro Directed Evolution of a Restriction Endonuclease with More Stringent Specificity
Published on: March 25, 2020
External electric field will control the selectivity of enzymatic-like bond activations
Sason Shaik1, Sam P de Visser, Devesh Kumar
1Contribution from the Department of Organic Chemistry and the Lise Meitner-Minerva Center for Computational Quantum Chemistry, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel.
Abstract:
Controlling the selectivity of a chemical reaction is a Holy Grail in chemistry. This paper reports theoretical results of unprecedented effects induced by moderately strong electric fields on the selectivity of two competing nonpolar bond activation processes, C-H hydroxylation vs C=C epoxidation, promoted by an active species that is common to heme-enzymes and to metallo-organic catalysts. The molecular system by itself shows no selectivity whatsoever. However, the presence of an electric field induces absolute selectivity that can be controlled at will. Thus, the choice of the orientation and direction of the field vis-à-vis the molecular axes drives the reaction in the direction of complete C-H hydroxylation or complete C=C epoxidation.
Related Concept Videos
Enzyme Inhibition
Allosteric Proteins-ATCase
Aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the condensation of L-aspartate and carbamoyl phosphate to N-carbamoyl-L-aspartate. This reaction is the first step in pyrimidine biosynthesis. UTP and CTP, the end products of the pyrimidine synthesis pathway,...
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action
Reversible inhibitors like edrophonium bind to a specific part of the enzyme called the anionic catalytic site. They form noncovalent bonds, which means they are not strongly attached to the enzyme. This creates a temporary and less stable enzyme–inhibitor complex, leading to...

