Why is histidine found in the active sites of so many enzymes?

Subject: Why is histidine found in the active sites of so many enzymes?

Date: Thu Apr 15 07:58:49 2004
Posted by Jithesh
Grade level: undergrad School: Rajiv Ghandhi Centre for Biotechnology
City: Trivandrum State/Province: Kerala Country: India
Area of science: Biochemistry
ID: 1082033929.Bc

Message:


Does the answer to the question depend on the pka of the histidine residue?
Or does the answer has something to do with the biosynthesis of histideine 
which involves ribose sugar, linking it to the RNA world.Histidine evolved from 
ribose moiety and persisted,making its way into the active sites of enzymes. 
With regards,
Jithesh

Re: Why is histidine found in the active sites of so many enzymes?

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