The Lively Corridor

Abstract

Jacques Monod attached as much importance to the manner in which ideas were expressed as to the ideas themselves. The study of regulatory enzymes was becoming one of the research topics of Jacques Monod's laboratory. First, the fact that Um-barger's observations were confirmed: the inhibitory effect of L-isoleucine was specific. One of the highlights of the symposium was, undoubtedly, Jacques Monod's presentation of the concluding remarks. These ideas were further elaborated in the Journal of Molecular Biology, in a review article entitled Allosteric proteins and cellular control systems. This text was written by Jacques Monod during 1962. Models of steric hindrance and allosteric effect were being completed by a less plausible model by direct interaction. The general discussion in the 1963 review finishes with the generalization of the concept of allosteric protein. These molecules would be the key component of any system of biological control, from the regulation of enzyme activity to enzymatic adaptation, passing by hormone action. The hypothesis is put forward that gene repressors are also allosteric proteins. In the course of the year 1963, the author presented to Jacques Monod a first draft of his thesis work. They then had to find a mechanism which would create interactions between identical sites within the oligomer. A presentation beginning with the mathematical model was finally adopted, which could not fail to please Jacques Monod by its highly theoretical and formal aspect.