The Nature and Diversity 

 of Catalytic Proteins 



Paul D. Boyer 



Department of Physiological Chemistry 

 University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 



Most investigators, in considering the general topic of this lecture 

 series, "The Nature of Biological Diversity,"* are likely impressed with 

 both the breadth and the importance of the subject matter. I share 

 such a view, and indeed find the subtopic to which my remarks are 

 to be addressed, "The Nature and Diversity of Catalytic Proteins,'* to 

 be a subject of wide scope. In part our awe of these topics, as sci- 

 entists, reflects the wealth of experimental material to be considered, 

 together with the recognition that the totality of our present informa- 

 tion is meager compared to the scope of the subject, and. further, 

 is to a large extent only descriptive and superficial. We lack the 

 knowledge and the insight to develop the generalized concepts that 

 will give coherence and understanding to the diversity encountered. 

 In this presentation, an attempt will be made to give some important 

 generalizations about enzymes that appear valid at this time, to point 

 out various similarities and diversities which need further under- 

 standing, and to suggest some relationships and generalizations which 

 are indicated from present research developments. In illustration of 



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