The role and sources of the 5`deoxyadenosyl radical

• Applicant: Professor Dr. János Rétey
• Subject Area: Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Term: from 1999 to 2005
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5177530

As paradigm of the carbon skeleton rearrangements in plants, reminding coenzyme B12-dependent enzymic reactions, the rearrangement of littorine to the tropane alkaloid hyoscyamine will be investigated. Our discovery that this rearrangement is stimulated by S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM), suggests the involvement of the 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical in the reaction. Littorine mutase will be isolated from hairy root cultures of Datura stramonium and its mechanism of action and molecular biology investigated. SAM as substitute for B12 in plants, i.e. as source of 5'deoxyadenosyl radical will be tested for generality. Research on coenzyme B12-dependent enzymes will be continued using coenzyme analogues. The synthesis of model catalysts will be completed.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1071: Radikale in der enzymatischen Katalyse