ABSTRACT
The de novo synthesis of building blocks for DNA proceedes via reduction of the corresponding ribonucleotides, a seemingly simple reaction where the net result is the removal of an oxygen at the 2’-position of the ribose moiety to form a 2’-deoxyribose derivative (Figure 1). However, this is truly a chemically demanding reaction requiring a radical initiator for high product yield (Robins et al., 1983). The enzyme capable of performing this reaction in vivo, ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), is faced with accomplishing a demanding task under a wide variety of environmental conditions. This is true in particular for growth of microorganisms.
