HF-EPR, Raman, UV/VIS Light Spectroscopic, and DFT Studies of the Ribonucleotide Reductase R2 Tyrosyl Radical from Epstein-Barr Virus
2011

Study of the Tyrosyl Radical in Epstein-Barr Virus Ribonucleotide Reductase

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Tomter Ane B., Zoppellaro Giorgio, Schmitzberger Florian, Andersen Niels H., Barra Anne-Laure, Engman Henrik, Nordlund Pär, Andersson K. Kristoffer

Primary Institution: Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Hypothesis

The electronic and magnetic properties of the tyrosyl radical in Epstein-Barr virus ribonucleotide reductase R2 can be characterized using various spectroscopic techniques.

Conclusion

The study found that the tyrosyl radical in EBV R2 exhibits unique electromagnetic characteristics, indicating a different kind of tyrosyl radical compared to other studied R2s.

Supporting Evidence

  • The tyrosyl radical in EBV R2 shows a g1-value of 2.0080, indicating a positive charge nearby.
  • Resonance Raman spectroscopy revealed a C-O stretching frequency at 1508 cm−1 for the tyrosyl radical.
  • Comparative studies showed that EBV R2 has a lower affinity for Fe2+ than E. coli R2.

Takeaway

This study looks at a special part of a virus that helps it make DNA, showing how it works differently than similar parts in other organisms.

Methodology

The researchers used EPR, HF-EPR, UV/VIS, and resonance Raman spectroscopy to analyze the tyrosyl radical in EBV R2.

Limitations

The study could not clearly identify a water molecule as a hydrogen bond donor for the tyrosyl radical in EBV R2.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025022

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