X-ray structures of a hydrolytic antibody and of complexes elucidate catalytic pathway from substrate binding and transition state stabilization through water attack and product release.

The x-ray structures of the unliganded esterase-like catalytic antibody D2.3 and its complexes with a substrate analogue and with one of the reaction products are analyzed. Together with the structure of the phosphonate transition state analogue hapten complex, these crystal structures provide a complete description of the reaction pathway. At alkaline pH, D2.3 acts by preferential stabilization of the negatively charged oxyanion intermediate of the reaction that results from hydroxide attack on the substrate. A tyrosine residue plays a crucial role in catalysis: it activates the ester substrate and, together with an asparagine, it stabilizes the oxyanion intermediate. A canal allows facile diffusion of water molecules to the reaction center that is deeply buried in the structure. Residues bordering this canal provide targets for mutagenesis to introduce a general base in the vicinity of the reaction center.