Benchmark #1

Name of your protein: Glucose Oxidase

Species it is from: Penicillium amagasakiense

Its four letter PDB structure code: 1gpe

Benchmark #1

The protein glucose oxidase plays a pivotal role in contemporary experimental science,

primarily serving as a vessel for quantifying glucose levels within blood samples. In terms of

actual function, this enzyme has the ability to catalyze the oxidation of glucose, ultimately

transforming the sugar into gluconolactone. This reaction, catalyzed by glucose oxidase, is a

multi-step process—a noteworthy intermediate step involves the conversion of molecular oxygen

into hydrogen peroxide (HOOH). The levels of hydrogen peroxide are correlated to the levels of

the glucose in the blood, making this chemical reaction the key to determining glucose levels.

The use of glucose oxidase in determining glucose levels is extremely significant for a

large subset of the population: individuals living with diabetes. Diabetic patients constantly need

to monitor and regulate their blood glucose levels to maintain their heath in daily life, especially

because these levels are ever-changing and can be affected by so many factors (food, physical

activity, and even other factors for each individual diabetic person). Technology that implements

Glucose oxidase allows these people to quickly and accurately assess their own glucose levels,

helping them make informed decisions about their life. (This includes dietary choices, insulin

dosages, changes in physical activity, and overall diabetes management.) This technology has

significantly enhanced the quality of life for countless individuals, by allowing them to lead

healthier lives. They can be more active, while minimizing the risk of hyperglycemia or

hypoglycemia-related complications.
 Furthermore, glucose oxidase's applications actually extend beyond diabetes

management; it has found a place in various scientific fields, including biotechnology, the food

industry, and clinical diagnostics. Its versatility makes it a valuable asset for researchers and

healthcare professionals alike, driving advancements in both medical and non-medical domains.

Overall, glucose oxidase's role as an enzymatic catalyst holds profound implications for

improving health and enhancing scientific knowledge across diverse disciplines.

This is a model representation of glucose oxidase, highlighting its secondary structure of beta
sheets and alpha helices.
PDB ID: 1gpe
Mol* (D. Sehnal, S. Bittrich, M. Deshpande, R. Svobodová, K. Berka, V. Bazgier, S. Velankar,
S.K. Burley, J. Koča, A.S. Rose (2021) Mol* Viewer: modern web app for 3D visualization and
analysis of large biomolecular structures (2021) Nucleic Acids Research 49:W431-W437
https://doi.org/10.2210/pdb1gpepdb)

RCSB PDB: H.M. Berman, J. Westbrook, Z. Feng, G. Gilliland, T.N. Bhat, H. Weissig, I.N.
Shindyalov, P.E. Bourne, The Protein Data Bank (2000) Nucleic Acids Research 28: 235-242
https://doi.org/10.2210/pdb1gpepdb.
References

Bauer JA, Zámocká M, Majtán J, Bauerová-Hlinková V. Glucose Oxidase, an Enzyme "Ferrari":

Its Structure, Function, Production and Properties in the Light of Various Industrial and
Biotechnological Applications. Biomolecules. 2022 Mar 19;12(3):472. doi:
10.3390/biom12030472. PMID: 35327664; PMCID: PMC8946809.

McMillin JM. Blood Glucose. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods:
The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990.
Chapter 141. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK248/

Khatami SH, Vakili O, Ahmadi N, Soltani Fard E, Mousavi P, Khalvati B, Maleksabet A,

Savardashtaki A, Taheri-Anganeh M, Movahedpour A. Glucose oxidase: Applications, sources,
and recombinant production. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2022 Jun;69(3):939-950. doi:
10.1002/bab.2165. Epub 2021 Apr 15. PMID: 33840140.