Prenyl Transferase

PDB file 1UBW

Structure of chicken liver Farnesyl Pyrophosphate Synthase (Prenyl Transferase), solved by L. C. Tarshis, P. Proteau, C. D. Poulter, & J. C. Sacchettini in 1996.

Suggested display options:

With the protein displayed in wireframe, color chain.
Select hetero-ligand, display as sticks, and color CPK.
Examine the structure of the geranyl pyrophosphate substrate, with its branched hydrocarbon chain.

Now display the ligands as spacefill.
Where are the magnesium ions relative to the substrate? What role might they have?
Try to identify acidic enzyme residues that also interact with the magnesium. 

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