choosing amino acids for site specific mutations

[marilyn yoder]

qustion:

after some discussion with a resident gene jock, i was wondering if anyone
knows of a review, or other general article, concerning how to make decisions
on what to mutate a given amino acid to.  (please forgive the sentence
structure. i'm sure the grammer is incorrect, but every change i make i end up
losing meaning.)  in other words, given a specific amino acid, what are the
best choices to mutate into another one.

he has a protein, of unknown function and structure, in which they  have
identified conserved amino acids.  i was asked which amino acid i would chose
to substitute at a given position. although i gave him what i thought was some
really good advice, :) , they were in reality pure guesses.  i was wondering if
anyone has compiled any words of wisdom or experience on the subject.

many thanks,

marilyn yoder


-- 
Marilyn Yoder				phone:	816-235-1986
School of Biological Sciences		fax:	816-235-1503
Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics
University of Missouri-Kansas City	e-mail	myoder at cctr.umkc.edu
5100 Rockhill Rd
Kansas City,  MO  64110-2499