Fig. 3From: Cellular and molecular mechanisms of aspartoacylase and its role in Canavan diseaseOverview of the proposed catalytic mechanism of aspartoacylase. A First, water initiates a nucleophile attack on the NAA carbonyl group leading formation of B a tetrahedral intermediate and finally C the products. Green indicates residues coordinating Zn2+, purple indicates residues interacting with the substrate, and yellow indicates the catalytic active E178 residueBack to article page