Mee Ahn
Doctor of Philosophy, (Chemistry)
Study Completed: 2007
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Citation
Thesis Title
Sustrate Analogues As Mechanistic Probes For 3-Deoxy-D-Arabino-Heptulosonate 7-Phosphate Synthase And 3-Deoxy-D-Manno-Octulosonate 8-Phosphate Synthase
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
Ms Ahn investigated mechanistic differences between two, closely related enzymes, DAH7P synthase and KDO8P synthase. Various phosphorylated, monosaccharide, substrate analogues were used as mechanistic probes. The main research aim was to synthesise alternative stereoisomers for d-E4P and d-A5P, the natural substrate of DAH7P synthase and KDO8P synthase, respectively. This is the first systematic study of the tolerance of both enzymes to configure changes of the aldol phosphate substrate. Her research has shown that the two enzymes have mechanistic differences. The findings will contribute to a greater understanding of the two enzymes and will help to develop novel antimicrobial targets.
Supervisors
Associate Professor Emily Parker
Associate Professor Gill Norris
Professor Geoff Jameson