Chapter 26: Q39P (page 1180)

Staphylococcus nuclease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of DNA. The reaction is catalyzed by Ca²⁺, Glu 43, and Arg 87. Explain how the metal catalyst facilitates this reaction. Recall that the nucleotides in DNA have phosphodiester linkages.

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Nitrogenous base in DNA

There are four nitrogenous bases that compose DNA. The nitrogenous base is adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). Adenine is paired with thymine with two hydrogen bonding while the cytosine is paired with guanine with three hydrogen bonding.

Hydrolysis of DNA

Ca⁺²decreases the pKa of water, forming calcium bound hydroxide ion, which is a better nucleophile than water. The positively charged nitrogen (of the guanidinium group) of arginine stabilizes the negatively charged oxygen formed when the P=O $π$ bond of the diester breaks and therefore makes it easier to form. Glutamine acid protonated the OR oxygen, thereby making it a weaker base and therefore a better leaving group when the P=O $π$ bond reforms.

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Staphylococcus nuclease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of DNA. The reaction is catalyzed by Ca²⁺, Glu 43, and Arg 87. Explain how the metal catalyst facilitates this reaction. Recall that the nucleotides in DNA have phosphodiester linkages.

Short Answer

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Nitrogenous base in DNA

Hydrolysis of DNA

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Staphylococcus nuclease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of DNA. The reaction is catalyzed by Ca2+, Glu 43, and Arg 87. Explain how the metal catalyst facilitates this reaction. Recall that the nucleotides in DNA have phosphodiester linkages.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Nitrogenous base in DNA

Hydrolysis of DNA

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Inorganic Chemistry

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Kinetics

Chemical Reactions

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The Earths Atmosphere

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Staphylococcus nuclease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of DNA. The reaction is catalyzed by Ca²⁺, Glu 43, and Arg 87. Explain how the metal catalyst facilitates this reaction. Recall that the nucleotides in DNA have phosphodiester linkages.