This paper reports an example of thymidylate biosynthesis that occurs without an enzymatic nucleophile, and is found in organisms containing the thyX gene (encoding a flavin-dependent thymidylate synthase). Because several human pathogens depend on this biosynthetic pathway for DNA biosynthesis, it may be possible to develop new, highly selective antibiotics that target this enzyme.
- Eric M. Koehn
- Todd Fleischmann
- Amnon Kohen