PMID: 24596302

Authors:

Zhu C, Yi C

Title:

Switching Demethylation Activities between AlkB Family RNA/DNA Demethylases through Exchange of Active-Site Residues.

Journal:

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2014 Apr 1;53(14):3659-62. doi: 10.1002/anie.201310050., Epub 2014 Mar 5.

Abstract:

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.