The catalytic mechanism of serine proteases: single proton versus double proton transfer.

The two possible mechanisms of proton transfer on the catalytic process of serine proteases (single or double proton transfer) have been analysed. Intermediate neglect of differential overlap calculations have been performed in the absence and in the presence of the substrate molecule and one water molecule localized in the active site. It is shown that, in the absence of the substrate and water, double proton transfer seems to be the most feasible mechanism. However, when these molecules are introduced in the calculation, the role played by them is to facilitate the formation of the zwitterionic structure (single proton transfer) and to destabilize the intermediate structure which leads to double proton transfer. All calculations were made in vacuo.