Proposed tetrahedral quaternary structure for Galactose Oxidase.

Galactose Oxidase has structural similarity to neuraminidase but its function and active site are very different. This preprint shows how a compact tetrahedral structure can be assembled from the X-ray crystal structure. This is the first protein reconstruction that confronts earlier physical measurements that suggest the native form is a monomer. The preprint therefore addresses the limitations of the earlier physical measurements.
Galactose oxidase is a copper enzyme with an aromatic electron-relay system connecting copper ions in adjacent subunits, thus allowing two-electron reduction of molecular oxygen. Apart from this novel feature the enzyme is similar to neuraminidases in having a channel from the active site to the enzyme exterior in order that substrate moieties can be oxidised while still part of a polysaccharide or glycoprotein.

Link here to the preprint.

Feedback most welcome.

Can you help to get this work published and more widely known?

I am interested to hear from anyone with a suggestion about a journal that might be receptive to the neuraminidase work. I would be especially delighted to hear from anyone who would be prepared to act as a referee.
Please bring this BLOG to the attention of any of your colleagues who might be interested.

Expert reviews of neuraminidase paper with author's comments

I have put together the reviews I received on the two occasions I tried to publish this work in high-profile journals. I have included my formal responses and later annotations. The reviews indicate a generally defensive position by X-ray crystallography experts. Have a look. I would appreciate your views.

Link

Please submit a Posting or email me direct at dvanselow@hotmail.com

Don Vanselow

New Native Structures in Neuraminidases

Following on from the theory, I have produced model quaternary structures for a number of neuraminidase enzymes, based on the x-ray crystal structures. Click on these links to view this paper. html linked here. An earlier pdf version is linked here. The paper is copyright 2007 to myself, Dr Don Vanselow, 54 Greenways Road, Glen Waverley, Victoria 3150. Australia. All rights reserved.

The Fundamental Biophysics of Protein Function

The theory of catalysis and other functions displayed by soft biomaterials such as proteins is described in the paper "The Role of Constraint in Catalysis and High-Affinity Binding by Proteins" published in the Biophysical Journal in May 2002. Use the link provided by clicking on the title of this Post.