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Function

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is an enzyme responsible for converting deoxyribonucleotides (dNTPs) from ribonucleotides (NTPs). It catalyzes this chemical reaction by removing the 2'-hydroxyl group of ribose ring of ribonucleotides. Therefore, this enzyme is also known as ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase (rNDP). In this way, this enzyme promotes the synthesis of precursors for regeneration and construction of DNA.

Because of its essential function for the structure of DNA, knowing that all cellular organisms have DNA as a hereditary structure, it is likely that RNR is present in all growing cells of all living beings. In addition, it is also speculated that the RNR played a key role in the transition from the "RNA world" to the "DNA world". In this question, RNR are subdivided into three classes, and the third class can function without oxygen and uses simple structures, thus, it is believed that this class is the oldest.

Classification and distribuition

RNRs can be classified into three distinct classes according to the method of generating thiyl ions triggered by the presence of a particular cofactor. RNRs I are characterized by having a complex quaternary structure and dependence on dioxygen to assemble the cysteine oxidant. RNRs I are present in viruses and in all domains of life and can be subdivided into RNR Ia, Ib, Ic, Id and Ie. RNRs Ia are the best characterized and will receive greater focus on this page. These enzymes present the diiron-tyrosyl radical and are composed of two types of subunits called R1 (or alpha) and R2 (or beta). The biggest difference between the Ia RNRs and the other class I RNRs is in the substitution of diiron-tyrosyl for other cofactors. For example, in RNR Ib, the two ferric ions are replaced by manganese. The cofactors present in the different class I RNRs are shown in the figure.

Although less studied, there are also class II and III RNRs, which are found only in microorganisms. Class II RNR has adenosylcobalamin, a vitamin B12 derivative, as a cofactor. Class III RNRs, on the other hand, use a [4Fe-4S]-activase to generate a stable glycyl radical capable of leading to the generation of the oxidant Cys at the active site of the RNR. The presence of RNRs of classes II and III is usually related to a better adaptation in environments with low oxygen availability, and RNRs III usually have their activity inhibited by oxygen. Complex eukaryotes, as they generally encode only RNR Ia, have low occupancy in hypoxic environments. Although they share an almost universal ribonucleotide reduction mechanism, the three classes of RNRs have low primary sequence similarity to each other, which may suggest independent emergence.

Several microorganisms are able to encode RNRs of different classes. In the case of Escherichia coli, RNR Ia is preferentially expressed in the growth phase under aerobic conditions, while RNR III is mainly expressed under anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, in environments with low iron availability or when there is biofilm formation, E. coli tends to preferentially express RNR Ib.

Relevance

Structural highlights

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