Neutrons observe vitamin B6-dependent enzyme activity useful for drug development

(DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have performed neutron structural analysis of a vitamin B6-dependent protein, potentially opening avenues for new antibiotics and drugs to battle diseases such as drug-resistant tuberculosis, malaria and diabetes. Specifically, the team used neutron crystallography to study the location of hydrogen atoms in aspartate aminotransferase, or AAT, an enzyme vital to the metabolism of certain amino acids.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news