The AlkB family demethylases AlkB, FTO, and ALKBH5 recognize differentially methylated RNA/DNA substrates, which results in their distinct biological roles. Here we identify key active-site residues that contribute to their substrate specificity. Swapping such active-site residues between the demethylases leads to partially switched demethylation activities. Combined evidence from X-ray structures and enzyme kinetics suggests a role of the active-site residues in substrate recognition. Such a divergent active-site sequence may aid the design of selective inhibitors that can discriminate these homologue RNA/DNA demethylases.
Switching Demethylation Activities between AlkB Family RNA/DNA Demethylases through Exchange of Active-Site Residues.,Zhu C, Yi C Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2014 Apr 1;53(14):3659-62. doi: 10.1002/anie.201310050., Epub 2014 Mar 5. PMID:24596302[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
↑ Zhu C, Yi C. Switching Demethylation Activities between AlkB Family RNA/DNA Demethylases through Exchange of Active-Site Residues. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2014 Apr 1;53(14):3659-62. doi: 10.1002/anie.201310050., Epub 2014 Mar 5. PMID:24596302 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.201310050
