Three-dimensional views of a protein from an enzyme family could prove vital in understanding the nature of serious immunodeficiency disorders and has the potential of generating genetic diversity that could disarm dangerous disease causing agents like HIV and Hepatits B.
The Southern California University study offers the first mechanistic analysis of these enzymes that have the ability to mutate at the molecular level. The protein in these enzymes is critical in understanding biological processes for generation of high-affinity antibodies in response to killer viruses and other infection.
The 3-D protein structure helped the study team to deduce what probably goes wrong in patients with rare serious immune disorders leading to weakened immune systems. The X-ray view of the protein has potential for research in areas on therapeutic strategies that deals with problems arising from of one of the enzymes to either function properly or from working at inappropriate times and places, causing mutations in the genes that could lead to cancer and other diseases.
Via: sciencedaily