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An evolutionary biochemist's perspective on promiscuity.

Shelley D Copley1

  • 1Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|January 10, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Enzyme promiscuity, the ability of enzymes to perform unintended reactions, is common due to relaxed natural selection. These "accidental" enzyme functions offer valuable opportunities for discovering new biological roles and developing novel biotechnological tools.

Keywords:
enzymemolecular evolutionpromiscuitysubstrate ambiguity

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Enzymology

Background:

  • Enzyme promiscuity describes an enzyme's capacity to catalyze secondary reactions beyond its primary physiological function.
  • These promiscuous activities are often inefficient or involve substrates not encountered in vivo.
  • Natural selection favors enzymes that are 'good enough' for their intended function, rather than perfectly specific ones.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define and explain the concept of enzyme promiscuity.
  • To highlight the evolutionary basis and prevalence of enzyme promiscuity.
  • To underscore the significance of promiscuous activities for biological innovation and technological applications.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual review and synthesis of existing knowledge in evolutionary biochemistry.
  • Analysis of the relationship between enzyme specificity, natural selection, and functional evolution.
  • Discussion of the implications of enzyme promiscuity in various biological and technological contexts.

Main Results:

  • Enzyme promiscuity is a widespread phenomenon resulting from the dynamics of natural selection.
  • Promiscuous activities, though physiologically irrelevant, are not evolutionary dead ends.
  • These secondary functions represent a reservoir for the evolution of new enzyme capabilities.

Conclusions:

  • Enzyme promiscuity is a critical factor in the evolution of new biochemical functions.
  • Understanding enzyme promiscuity opens avenues for directed evolution and enzyme engineering.
  • Promiscuous enzymes serve as valuable targets for drug discovery and biotechnological tool development.