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Structural evidence for gene duplication in the evolution of the acid proteases

Abstract

X-ray studies of acid proteases indicate a bilobal structure with a well defined active site cleft. An intramolecular two-fold symmetry axis relates two topologically similar domains and the active site residues. A possible mechanism for evolution by gene duplication, divergence and gene fusion is presented.

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Tang, J., James, M., Hsu, I. et al. Structural evidence for gene duplication in the evolution of the acid proteases. Nature 271, 618–621 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/271618a0

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