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Updated: Aug 1, 2025
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Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates
Published on: November 23, 2016
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Moonlighting enzymes: when cellular context defines specificity.
Munishwar Nath Gupta1, Vladimir N Uversky2
1Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India.
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|April 24, 2023
Summary
Protein moonlighting, where proteins perform multiple functions, is common, not exceptional. This review explores moonlighting proteins, their mechanisms, and roles in human diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Enzymology
Background:
- Absolute protein specificity is rare; proteins often exhibit multi-specificities.
- Promiscuity and moonlighting are key types of protein multi-specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the concept of enzyme specificity.
- To focus on protein moonlighting, its mechanisms, and relevance to human diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of protein specificity and moonlighting.
- Discussion of key examples of moonlighting proteins.
- Analysis of protein plasticity and intrinsic disorder in moonlighting.
Main Results:
- Protein moonlighting is a widespread phenomenon, challenging the notion of absolute specificity.
- Examples include crystallins, ceruloplasmin, metallothioneins, and enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.
- Protein plasticity and intrinsic disorder facilitate moonlighting functions.
Conclusions:
- Moonlighting proteins blur the lines between enzymes and other biologically active proteins.
- Understanding protein moonlighting is crucial for comprehending various biological processes.
- Moonlighting proteins play significant roles in the pathogenesis of human diseases.
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