An anchoring residue adjacent to the substrate access tunnel entrance of a nitrile hydratase directs its catalytic activity towards 3-cyanopyridine

Abstract

The βGlu50 residue located adjacent to the substrate access tunnel entrance of the nitrile hydratase from Pseudonocardia thermophila JCM3095 acts as an anchoring residue. Breaking the salt bridge between the β50 residue and its surrounding residues can increase the flexibility of the tunnel entrance structure and make it conducive to substrate migration.