title: The diverse roles of flavin coenzymes--nature's most versatile thespians.
abstract: Flavin coenzymes play a variety of roles in biological systems. This Perspective highlights the chemical versatility of flavins by reviewing research on five flavoenzymes that have been studied in our laboratory. Each of the enzymes discussed in this review [the acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACDs), CDP-6-deoxy-l-threo-d-glycero-4-hexulose-3-dehydrase reductase (E3), CDP-4-aceto-3,6-dideoxygalactose synthase (YerE), UDP-galactopyranose mutase (UGM), and type II isopentenyl diphosphate:dimethylallyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI-2)] utilizes flavin in a distinct role. In particular, the catalytic mechanisms of two of these enzymes, UGM and IDI-2, may involve novel flavin chemistry.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Steven O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Mansoorabadi
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Thibodeaux
authors.forename: Hung-wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D003067:Coenzymes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005415:Flavins / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
chemical_list: D003067:Coenzymes; D005415:Flavins