Many bacterial pathogens release effector enzymes belonging to the large Fic family, which modify host targets with nucleotide monophosphates. Now, recombinantly produced Fic enzymes have been equipped with synthetic thiol-reactive nucleotide derivatives to make covalent binary probes. The reaction of modified Fic enzymes with their targets permits covalent substrate capture and the structural determination of low-affinity ternary enzyme–nucleotide–substrate complexes.
- Burak Gulen
- Marie Rosselin
- Aymelt Itzen
