An article has been published about TXRF trace analysis in life science, by a group at Stockholm University. The scientific paper, entitled “Metal-free ribonucleotide reduction powered by a DOPA radical in Mycoplasma pathogens” is published in Nature and involves research using the Bruker S2 Picofox TXRF.
Blue Scientific is the official distributor of Bruker TXRF in the UK, Ireland and Nordic Region (Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and Norway). If you have any questions please get in touch:
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RNR (Ribonucleotide Reductase)
Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is a catalyst for the only known de novo pathway in the production of all four essential deoxyribonucleotides for DNA synthesis. It is vital for all organisms with DNA as a genetic material. It’s also a current drug target.
Iron is required for function in aerobic, class I RNR that are present in all eukaryotes and many bacteria. Since this discovery, dinuclear metal sites have been considered necessary for generating and stabilising catalytic radicals for RNR activity.
Metal-Independent Radicals
The paper from Stockholm University discusses a group of RNR proteins in Mollicutes (including Mycoplasma pathogens) with a metal-independent stable radical, that resides on a modified tyrosyl residue.
Using structural, biochemical and spectroscopic characterisation, they found a stable 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) radical species. This species directly supports ribonucleotide reduction in vitro and in vivo. This challenges the previous assumption that a dinuclear metal site is necessary for aerobic ribonucleotide reductase.
The metal-independent radical requires new mechanisms to generate and stabilise radicals. These processes are targeted by RNR inhibitors. It’s possible that this RNR variant has advantages under metal starvation, induced by the immune system.
Organisms encoding this type of RNR (including some that are becoming resistant to antibiotics) are related to disorders in the respiratory, urinary and genital tracts. Further analysis of this RNR group and its co-factor generation mechanisms will provide new information about enzymatic chemistry. This could be useful for developing strategies to combat the pathogens that use it. The group suggest that the RNR subclass should be known as class Ie.
Read the Scientific Paper
The full paper is available in Nature International Journal of Science:
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TXRF Systems
TXRF is highly sensitive analytical technique for trace element analysis:
- Applications in a variety of fields
- Simultaneous multi-element trace analysis
- Low running costs (no consumables or maintenance)
- Convenient alternative to ICP-MS:
- Easier sample preparation
- Shorter sampling time
- More cost-effective
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Bruker S2 Picofox
Established TXRF system with ppb and ppm range detection limits, suitable for all trace analysis applications, with all the benefits of the technique.
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Bruker S4 TStar
Newest and highest specification system for ultra trace analysis with low sub-ppb detection limits, automation and high sample capacity.
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Further Information
For more information about TXRF trace analysis please get in touch. Blue Scientific is the official distributor of Bruker TXRF in the UK, Ireland and Nordic region, and we’re available to answer all your questions and advise on whether this analytical method would be suitable for your work:
