InterPro domain: IPR023404

Radical SAM domains catalyze diverse reactions, including unusual methylations, isomerization, sulphur insertion, ring formation, anaerobic oxidation and protein radical formation. Evidence exists that these proteins generate a radical species by reductive cleavage of S:-adenosylmethionine (SAM) through an unusual Fe-S centre [ 1 , 2 ].

This entry represents radical SAM domains that form an alpha/beta horseshoe structure [ 3 ].

1. Radical SAM, a novel protein superfamily linking unresolved steps in familiar biosynthetic pathways with radical mechanisms: functional characterization using new analysis and information visualization methods. Nucleic Acids Res. 29, 1097-106
2. Crystal structure of the S-adenosylmethionine-dependent enzyme MoaA and its implications for molybdenum cofactor deficiency in humans. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 101, 12870-5
3. Post-translational modification of ribosomal proteins: structural and functional characterization of RimO from Thermotoga maritima, a radical S-adenosylmethionine methylthiotransferase. J. Biol. Chem. 285, 5792-801