Scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore (NTU Singapore)
have discovered a new molecule which can join together chains of amino
acids, the building blocks of protein. The new molecule was derived from a
common medicinal plant found in Singapore and Southeast Asia, scientifically
known as Clitoria ternatea, or Blue Butterfly Pea. The plant's blue flowers
are used to make food coloring and are also commonly used as a traditional
herb to enhance memory, as well as an anti-depressant and anti-stress agent.

The new molecule is named Butelase-1 after the plant's Malay name Bunga
Telang. It acts as a ligase, joining longer chains of amino acids known as
proteins or peptides together. Only three other known molecules have been
discovered to perform this function, which is an important process in the
development of new drugs. A key difference is that the new molecule can do
the same process 10,000 times faster than the other three, without leaving
any residue behind.

Lead scientist Professor James Tam said that the properties of the new
molecule make it a very useful tool in protein biotechnology and the
development of new peptide and protein therapeutics, including anti-cancer
agents.

[media.ntu.edu]