Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

Sequence-specific Labeling of Nucleic Acids and Proteins with Methyltransferases and Cofactor Analogues
Published on: November 22, 2014
The methylthiolation reaction mediated by the Radical-SAM enzymes
Mohamed Atta1, Simon Arragain, Marc Fontecave
1Institut de Recherches en Technologie et Sciences pour le Vivant IRTSV-LCBM, UMR 5249 CEA/CNRS/UJF, CEA-Grenoble, 17 avenue des Martyrs, 38054, Grenoble Cedex 09, France. mohamed.atta@cea.fr
Abstract:
Over the past 10 years, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the mechanistic enzymology of the Radical-SAM enzymes. It is now clear that these enzymes appear to be involved in a remarkably wide range of chemically challenging reactions. This review article highlights mechanistic and structural aspects of the methylthiotransferases (MTTases) sub-class of the Radical-SAM enzymes. The mechanism of methylthio insertion, now observed to be performed by three different enzymes is an exciting unsolved problem. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Radical SAM enzymes and Radical Enzymology.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols
Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
Radical Reactivity: Nucleophilic Radicals
Radical Reactivity: Electrophilic Radicals
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Radical Reactivity: Overview
