title: Zinc-catalyzed sulfur alkyation:insights from protein farnesyltransferase.
abstract: Zinc metalloenzymes catalyze many important cellular reactions. Recently, the involvement of zinc in the catalysis of alkylation of sulfur groups has gained prominence. Current studies of the zinc metalloenzyme protein farnesyltransferase have shed light on its structure and catalytic mechanism, as well as the general mechanism of zinc-catalyzed sulfur alkylation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Box 3711, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Hightower
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Fierke
mesh_terms: D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000478:Alkylation; D002384:Catalysis; D011487:Protein Conformation; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013455:Sulfur; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; C064911:p21(ras) farnesyl-protein transferase; D015032:Zinc