Cryptic functions of enzymes in chemical catalysis

Using a number of examples, this article demonstrates how the functional groups responsible for the catalytic activity of an enzyme must be studied within the context of the enzyme-substrate complex. Very often a substrate will actively cooperate with the enzyme to bring about its own transformation. The so-called cryptic functions of enzymes are considered in the case of seryl proteases which, according to the type of substrate or structural modification introduced in the enzyme, may exhibit esterase, amidase, protease, racemase or dehydratase activity. The cryptic functions may possess a physiological significance which reflects the evolutionary history of the protein. Alternatively they may offer a simple way of exploiting the enzymes as catalysts capable of taking part in the chemical reactions of biotechnological interest but little physiological importance.This work is dedicated to Prof.E. Wünsch (München) at the occasion of his 60^th birthday.