Ketosteroid isomerase (KSI) is one of the most proficient enzymes catalyzin
g an allylic isomerization reaction at a diffusion-controlled rate. In this
study of KSI, we have detailed the structures of its active site, the role
of various catalytic residues, and have explained the origin of the its fa
st reactivity by carrying out a detailed investigation of the enzymatic rea
ction mechanism. This investigation included the X-ray determination of 15
crystal structures of two homologous enzymes in free and complexed states (
with inhibitors) and extensive ab initio calculations of the interactions b
etween the active sites and the reaction intermediates. The catalytic resid
ues, through short strong hydrogen bonds, play the role of charge buffer to
stabilize the negative charge built up on the intermediates in the course
of the reaction. The hydrogen bond distances in the intermediate analogues
are found to be about 0.2 Angstrom shorter in the product analogues both ex
perimentally and theoretically.