Cofactor Assembly, Allosteric Regulation and Inhibitor Design

RNR catalyzes the reduction of nucleotides to deoxynucleotides in almost all organisms to provide the building blocks for DNA synthesis and repair. The central role of RNR in nucleic acid metabolism makes it a promising target for cancer therapeutics and antimicrobial agents. Human RNR consists of α and β subunits which form dynamic complexes. Our laboratory aims to answer three major questions about human RNR:

Study Fe₂-Y• cofactor assembly and repair

Trap and characterize the active α/β complex

Target the inactive state for RNR inhibitors