In silico studies on the substrate specificity of an l-arabinose isomerase from Bacillus licheniformis

Abstract l -Arabinose isomerase (BLAI) from Bacillus licheniformis was found to be active only with l -arabinose, unlike other l -arabinose isomerases ( l -AIs) active with a variety of aldoses. Therefore, the differences in molecular interactions and substrate orientation in the active site of l -AIs have been examined and the residue at position 346 is proposed to be responsible for the unique substrate specificity of BLAI.