Modified Amino Acid in Metal-free Ribonucleotide Reductase (IMAGE)

Penn State

Modified Amino Acid in Metal-free Ribonucleotide Reductase

Caption

A metal-free ribonucleotide reductase--an enzyme required for DNA replication--from bacterial pathogens uses a post-translationally modified amino acid (pictured) to initiate an essential DNA biosynthesis reaction. The modification (indicated by arrow) is essential for initiation of ribonucleotide reduction. This metal-free enzyme could allow microbes associated with strep throat and pneumonia infections to more effectively proliferate during iron/manganese limitation imposed by the human immune system.

Credit

Gavin Palowitch, Penn State

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