Metal-free class Ie ribonucleotide reductase from pathogens initiates catalysis with a tyrosine-derived dihydroxyphenylalanine radical
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
- Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (United States)
- Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)
All cells obtain 2'-deoxyribonucleotides for DNA synthesis through the activity of a ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). The class I RNRs found in humans and pathogenic bacteria differ in (i) use of Fe(II), Mn(II), or both for activation of the dinuclear-metallocofactor subunit, β; (ii) reaction of the reduced dimetal center with dioxygen or superoxide for this activation; (iii) requirement (or lack thereof) for a flavoprotein activase, NrdI, to provide the superoxide from O2; and (iv) use of either a stable tyrosyl radical or a high-valent dimetal cluster to initiate each turnover by oxidizing a cysteine residue in the α subunit to a radical (Cys•). The use of manganese by bacterial class I, subclass b-d RNRs, which contrasts with the exclusive use of iron by the eukaryotic Ia enzymes, appears to be a countermeasure of certain pathogens against iron deprivation imposed by their hosts. Here, we report a metal-free type of class I RNR (subclass e) from two human pathogens. The Cys• in its α subunit is generated by a stable, tyrosine-derived dihydroxyphenylalanine radical (DOPA•) in β. The three-electron oxidation producing DOPA• occurs in Escherichia coli only if the β is coexpressed with the NrdI activase encoded adjacently in the pathogen genome. We conclude the independence of this new RNR from transition metals, or the requirement for a single metal ion only transiently for activation, may afford the pathogens an even more potent countermeasure against transition metal-directed innate immunity.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Searle Scholars Program; National Institutes of Health (NIH); USDOE Office of Science (SC); National Cancer Institute (NCI); National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS); Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor
- Grant/Contract Number:
- GM119707; GM116353; AC02-06CH11357; ACB-12002; AGM-12006; 1S10OD012289-01A1; 085P1000817
- OSTI ID:
- 1499708
- Journal Information:
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 115, Issue 40; ISSN 0027-8424
- Publisher:
- National Academy of SciencesCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- ENGLISH
Web of Science
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