Molecular Basis of Lipase Specificity

One of the most intriguing examples of protein specificity is the specificity of lipases for certain fatty acids, because the specificity criterion (chain length, double bonds) is located far (on a molecular scale) from the point of action (ester bonds). NMR spectroscopy gives us the unique possibility to observe single atoms in proteins under various circumstances. We are working on elucidating the molecular basis of lipase specificity by NMR spectroscopy. (Reinhard Wimmer, Kristian R. Poulsen, Steffen B. Petersen)