Transient dynamics of flavonoid metabolons tune chalcone synthase specificity (opens in new tab)

Cells achieve metabolic precision by assembling enzymes into dynamic complexes, but the regulatory mechanism of these metabolons is unclear. Here we characterize the chalcone synthase (CHS)–chalcone isomerase-like protein (CHIL) complex, a key component of flavonoid metabolons. While crystallography provides a static view, our analyses reveal that CHS undergoes rapid, reversible binding cycles with CHIL that regulate catalysis in real time. CHIL removes coenzyme A, an inhibitor of Claisen cyc...