DEBNATH PAL

Prof. DEBNATH PAL

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

30Years (1997-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 November 1999 in Journal of Molecular Biology
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Journal Article
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DPDEBNATH PAL
DEBNATH PAL
PCPinak Chakrabarti
Pinak Chakrabarti

1 September 2001 in Trends in Biochemical Sciences
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Journal Article
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MWManfred S. Weiss
Manfred S. Weiss
MBMaria Brandl
Maria Brandl
JSJürgen Sühnel
Jürgen Sühnel
DPDEBNATH PAL
DEBNATH PAL
RHRolf Hilgenfeld
Rolf Hilgenfeld

1 January 2001 in Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology
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Journal Article
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PCPinak Chakrabarti
Pinak Chakrabarti
DPDEBNATH PAL
DEBNATH PAL

1 August 2001 in Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics
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Journal Article
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DPDEBNATH PAL
DEBNATH PAL
PCPinak Chakrabarti
Pinak Chakrabarti
Of all the nonbonded interactions, hydrogen bond, because of its geometry involving polar atoms, is the most easily recognizable. Here we characterize two interactions involving the divalent sulfur of methionine (Met) residues that do not need any participation of proton. In one an oxygen atom of the main-chain carbonyl group or a carboxylate side chain is used. In another an aromatic atom interacting along the face of the ring is utilized. In these, the divalent sulfur behaves as an electrophile and the other electron-rich atom, a nucleophile. The stereochemistry of the interaction is such that the nucleophile tends to approach approximately along the extension of one of the covalent bonds to S. The nitrogen atom of histidine side chain is extensively used in these nonbonded contacts. There is no particular geometric pattern in the interaction of S with the edge of an aromatic ring, except when an N-H group in involved, which is found within 40° from the perpendicular to the sulfide plane, thus defining the geometry of hydrogen bond interaction involving the sulfur atom. As most of the Met residues which partake in such stereospecific interactions are buried, these would be important for the stability of the protein core, and their incorporation in the binding site would be useful for molecular recognition and optimization of the site's affinity for partners (especially containing aromatic and heteroaromatic groups). Mutational studies aimed at replacing Met by other residues would benefit from the delineation of these interactions.

1 January 2005 in Structure
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Journal Article
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DPDEBNATH PAL
DEBNATH PAL
DEDavid Eisenberg
David Eisenberg

1 August 1999 in Acta Crystallographica Section D Structural Biology
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Journal Article
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USUttamkumar Samanta
Uttamkumar Samanta
DPDEBNATH PAL
DEBNATH PAL
PCPinak Chakrabarti
Pinak Chakrabarti