Scientists Discover New Enzyme from Local Herb

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore (NTU Singapore) have discovered a new molecule which can join together chains of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. The new molecule was derived from a common medicinal plant found in Singapore and Southeast Asia, scientifically known as Clitoria ternatea, or Blue Butterfly Pea. The plant's blue flowers are used to make food coloring and are also commonly used as a traditional herb to enhance memory, as well as an anti-depressant and anti-stress agent.

The new molecule is named Butelase-1 after the plant's Malay name Bunga Telang. It acts as a ligase, joining longer chains of amino acids known as proteins or peptides together. Only three other known molecules have been discovered to perform this function, which is an important process in the development of new drugs. A key difference is that the new molecule can do the same process 10,000 times faster than the other three, without leaving any residue behind.

Lead scientist Professor James Tam said that the properties of the new molecule make it a very useful tool in protein biotechnology and the development of new peptide and protein therapeutics, including anti-cancer agents.

For more information, read the NTU news release at: http://media.ntu.edu.sg/NewsReleases/Pages/newsdetail.aspx?news=3e8147c0-1de3-44e3-aca3-c7892a9bd86e.