🚀 go-pugleaf

Alan \"Uncle Al\" Schwartz <uncleal0@ix.netcom.com> writes:

>Michael Johnson <mjohnson@gertrood.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>>Hi! 
>>I am currently planning an A-level chemistry investigation into the
>>reaction kinetics of the urea/urease reaction. Can anyone please point
>>me in the right direction in terms of methods of measuring rate,
>>inhibitors to the reaction, how to extract urease, structure etc. Any
>>websites, books or other additional innformation would also be handy.

>Merck Index, 12th Edition, #10009.  

>It would be interesting to exchange the nickel atom at the urea acitve 
>site for other transition metal atoms to see how it affects the enzyme.  
>One also wonders whether ancillary chemistry is accessible by providing 
>ligands like CO, olefins,isonitriles, etc. 

>Alan "Uncle Al" Schwartz

Actually, there are TWO nickel atoms in the urease active site. Various
researchers have tried to replace the nickel atoms with other transition
metals, to no avail. Divalent metals such as zinc, copper, iron, cobalt,
and the non-transition metal magnesium all fail. Manganese retains about
2% activity. 

For more details on urease, check out the work of R.P. Hausinger.

Steve.