Evolution in action

Chem Biol. 1995 Feb;2(2):71-5. doi: 10.1016/1074-5521(95)90278-3.

Abstract

The alpha/beta barrel enzyme phosphotriesterase from soil bacteria appears to have evolved the ability to hydrolyze the insecticide paraoxon at the diffusion limit in only a few decades. A newly-identified open reading frame from Escherichia coli may offer a clue to its origins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Aryldialkylphosphatase
  • Bacteria / enzymology*
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Esterases / biosynthesis*
  • Esterases / chemistry
  • Esterases / genetics
  • Insecticides / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Paraoxon / metabolism*
  • Soil Microbiology*

Substances

  • Insecticides
  • Esterases
  • Aryldialkylphosphatase
  • Paraoxon