IISER MOHALI

Abstract: RIbonucleotide reductases (RNR's) catalyze the essential step of conversion of ribonucleoside diphosphates into deoxyribonucleotide diphosphates. These are important precursors to all DNA replication and repair machineries in all cells. RNR's have been classed into multiple classes based on their subunit architecture, cofactor that they use etc. Class Ib RNR's typically use Mn ion to generate a Tyr free radical, which is critical for the enzyme activity. Rich structural understanding of these is available on Class Ia RNR's, but that on Class Ib is emerging. Our laboratory has been involved in understanding structural principles of the activity of Class Ib RNR's, especially since these are present in Mycobacteria, the organism of choice of study in my group for many years. I will present crystallographic and CryoEM work on these enzymes.