Evolutionary mystery revealed by structures of a key enzyme in the synthesis of glycolipids

TL;DR - Structural studies of a key glycolipid-synthesis enzyme reveal an unexpected reaction mechanism and an intrinsic regulatory “brake” that arose during primate evolution. The findings connect enzyme architecture with both biochemical control and evolutionary history.

• The enzyme produces crucial sugar-carrying lipids.
• Its structures uncover a previously surprising catalytic mechanism.
• A built-in feature limits enzyme activity, functioning as a regulatory brake.
• The available summary attributes this brake to primate evolution but provides no experimental details.