Characterization and Reshaping of a Large and Hydrophobic Nucleophile Pocket in Lipases/Acyltransferases.

Lipases/acyltransferases, such as CpLIP2 from Candida parapsilosis and CduLAc from Candida dubliniensis, catalyze acyl transfer preferentially over hydrolysis if a suitable nucleophile is present, even in a medium with a high thermodynamic activity of water (a ). These enzymes are related to CAL-A from Moesziomyces antarcticus, which, in comparison, displays a lower acyl transfer ability. The 3D structures of wild types and mutants of CAL-A, CpLIP2, and CduLAc revealed differences in size and hydrophobicity of a large pocket located under the catalytic triad.