Some microbes produce enzymes that break down potentially harmful compounds found in pollutants from fossil fuels, plastics or pesticides. Researchers from the University of Guelph make use of data obtained at the CMCF to understand the active site of one such enzyme.

Nov. 8, 2010

HMG/CHA aldolase from Pseudomonas putida is part of a larger pathway for breaking down harmful components of fossil fuel pollution and coal derivatives (fluorene and its analogues) and substances found in plastics and pesticides (phthalate isomers). The researchers have grown crystals of the enzyme and solved the crystal structure in order to better understand how the active site is organized. This has allowed them to propose a catalytic mechanism based on the structural features, kinetics and information available about related aldolases. PDB ID: 3NOJ.