| 초록 |
Zymogens are inactive precursors, which are converted into active enzymes via the hydrolysis of peptide bonds by proteolytic enzymes. The conversion of zymogens into active enzymes plays an important role in the regulation of various biological phenomena. Considering the roles that zymogens, engineered zymogens may play an important part in constructing novel signaling pathways; but, such applications have not yet been widely reported. In this presentation, the concept of autoinhibition was applied to the design and engineering of a β-lactamase zymogen. Using this zymogen, a sensitive protease assay method was developed in which activation of the zymogen by proteases produces an amplified absorbance signal. The approach reported here can be adapted for engineering of zymogens as biological sensors and components of synthetic signaling pathways. |
