adenyltransferase

Adenyltransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of an adenylyl group from ATP to an acceptor molecule. This process is crucial in various biological pathways, including DNA repair, nucleotide metabolism, and signal transduction. Adenyltransferases are classified based on their substrate specificity and the type of acceptor molecule they act upon. For example, DNA adenyltransferase is involved in the base excision repair pathway, where it adds an adenylyl group to the 3' end of DNA fragments, facilitating their repair.

The reaction catalyzed by adenyltransferase typically involves the following steps: the enzyme binds to the acceptor molecule and ATP, forming an enzyme-acceptor-ATP complex. The enzyme then catalyzes the transfer of the adenylyl group from ATP to the acceptor, resulting in the formation of ADP and the adenylylated acceptor. This reaction is reversible, allowing for the removal of the adenylyl group when necessary.

Adenyltransferases play a vital role in maintaining genomic stability and cellular homeostasis. Mutations in genes encoding adenyltransferases have been linked to various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, understanding the structure, function, and regulation of adenyltransferases is essential for developing targeted therapies for these conditions.