title: Coenzyme B12 Repurposed for Photoregulation of Gene Expression.
abstract: Old cofactor, new tricks: In enzymes, coenzyme B12 has a well-known function as a radical initiator through homolysis of the Co-C bond. It has recently been shown that nature has repurposed this cofactor as a photosensitive switch for the regulation of bacterial carotenoid biosynthesis. Co-C bond breakage is again the key event in this process, triggering huge conformational changes in the B12 -binding protein.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstraße 50/3, 8010, Graz, Austria. karl.gruber@uni-graz.at.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3485-9740
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. bernhard.kraeutler@uibk.ac.at.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2222-0587
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kräutler
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001665:Binding Sites; D003038:Cobamides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D020283:Photoreceptors, Microbial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011485:Protein Binding; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D016963:Thermus thermophilus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003038:Cobamides; D020283:Photoreceptors, Microbial; D004247:DNA; C000913:cobamamide
keywords: carotenoid biosynthesis; coenzyme B12; gene regulation; photoswitches