Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine
A biochemistry perspective summarizing our studies on the Moco and antifungal peptidyl nucleoside biosyntheses came out as ASAP. This perspective summarizes the works mainly achieved by Brad Hover, Ph.D., and Edward Lilla (Ph.D. to be soon…!). These discoveries were made through characterization of unique C-C bond forming radical SAM enzymes. Congratulations to the two talented students!!
Brad’s JACS 2015 paper about the peptide rescue of GG-motif mutations was selected for the JACS young investigator virtual issue. In this paper, we reported that some of the mutations in MoaA that cause human Moco deficiency disease could be rescued by a synthetic peptide, suggesting potentials for the future development of a novel therapeutics. Interestingly, this study also revealed that the C-terminal tail of MoaA is involved in the radical initiation during the MoaA catalysis.
Edward won the poster award in the Biochemistry Department retreat. He presented his work on the mechanistic study of MoaC using the uncleavable substrate analog (published in 2015 Biochemistry). In this work, Edward found a MS evidence for the covalent linkage of the dead-end inhibitor with MoaC. Congratulations!! This is Edward’s second time for the same award; his first award was in 2014 for his work on NikJ/PolH characterization. This is the lab’s fifth straight year poster award since the lab’s establishment in 2011. Last year, Abhi won the award.
In the recent review article in the Current Opinion in Chemical Biology by Guenter Schwarz, our MoaC structure paper (PNAS 2015) was referenced and highlighted as an article of outstanding interest. This review paper nicely summarizes the current status of the research in Moco biosynthesis and human Moco deficiency disease. The author referenced four of our original research publication with the PNAS 2015 paper as the work that settled the discussion about the functions of MoaA and MoaC.
Each year, ~4 students receive poster awards during our department retreat. This year, Abhi received a poster award, joining our previous recipients; Edward (2014 retreat) and Brad (2011 and 2013 retreat). So far, we have a record of four-straight years!! (note: we did not have retreat in 2012)
