A bioactive molecule made by unusual salvage of radical SAM enzyme byproduct 5-deoxyadenosine blurs the boundary of primary and secondary metabolism.

ABSTRACT: 5-Deoxyadenosine (5dAdo) is the byproduct of many radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine enzyme reactions in all domains of life. 5dAdo is also an inhibitor of the radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine enzymes themselves, making it necessary for cells to construct pathways to recycle or dispose of this toxic metabolite. However, the specific pathways involved have long remained unexplored. Recent research demonstrated a growth advantage in certain organisms by using 5dAdo or intermediates as a sole carbon source and elucidated the corresponding salvage pathway. We now provide evidence using supernatant analysis by GC-MS for another 5dAdo recycling route. Specifically, in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (S. elongatus), the activity of promiscuous enzymes leads to the synt

SUBMITTER: Rapp J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8102628 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature