The goal of this research is to elucidate the structure and function of bacterial D.amino acid transaminase, an enzyme essential for the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. A gene encoding this enzyme has been cloned so that large amounts of it can be prepared in pure form and crystallized for X-ray diffraction studies. The specific objective of this award is to define the stereochemistry of this enzyme which apparently acts on L-amino acids as well as D.amino acids but at a much lower rate. Since this enzyme serves an essential function in bacteria and is not found in mammalian systems, it could be a valuable target for the development of inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents against bacterial infections.
