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Updated: Nov 21, 2025
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Sequence-specific Labeling of Nucleic Acids and Proteins with Methyltransferases and Cofactor Analogues
Published on: November 22, 2014
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Common Mechanism for Target Specificity of Protein- and DNA-Targeting ADP-Ribosyltransferases
Toru Yoshida1, Hideaki Tsuge2,3,4
1Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University, 2-8-1 Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8681, Japan.
Toxins
|January 12, 2021
Summary
Bacterial pathogens use ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs) as virulence factors. This review explores how ARTs achieve target specificity, revealing common mechanisms for protein and DNA modification.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Bacterial pathogens employ ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs) as crucial virulence factors.
- The precise targeting of specific residues on substrates (proteins, DNA, antibiotics) by ARTs is vital for their function.
- The molecular mechanisms governing this substrate and residue specificity remain largely unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and elucidate the substrate recognition mechanisms of bacterial ADP-ribosyltransferases.
- To analyze the basis of target residue specificity in ARTs using structural data.
- To identify common principles underlying specificity across different substrate types.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of complex structures of ARTs with their substrates.
- Analysis of structural features dictating substrate binding and residue modification.
- Comparative analysis of specificity determinants in protein- and DNA-targeting ARTs.
Main Results:
- ARTs exhibit diverse strategies for recognizing their diverse substrates.
- Specific amino acid residues and structural motifs within ARTs are critical for target binding.
- Common structural mechanisms contribute to residue specificity in both protein- and DNA-modifying ARTs.
Conclusions:
- Understanding ART specificity provides insights into bacterial pathogenesis.
- Structural insights can guide the development of novel therapeutics targeting bacterial virulence.
- Common principles of specificity suggest conserved evolutionary strategies in ART function.
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