The Pseudouridine Synthases Proceed through a Glycal Intermediate.

ABSTRACT: The pseudouridine synthases isomerize (U) in RNA to pseudouridine (Ψ), and the mechanism that they follow has long been a question of interest. The recent elucidation of a product of the mechanistic probe 5-fluorouridine that had been epimerized to the arabino isomer suggested that the Ψ synthases might operate through a glycal intermediate formed by deprotonation of C2'. When that position in substrate U is deuterated, a primary kinetic isotope effect is observed, which indisputably indicates that the proposed deprotonation occurs during the isomerization of U to Ψ and establishes the mechanism followed by the Ψ synthases.

SUBMITTER: Veerareddygari GR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4929527 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature