E. coli Ribonucleotide Reductase β2 Subunit Inactivation by Triapine Occurs through Binding of a Triapine–Fe(II) Adduct

Abstract

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), which supplies the building blocks for DNA biosynthesis and its repair, has been linked to human diseases and is emerging as a therapeutic target. Here, we present a mechanistic investigation of triapine (3AP), a clinically relevant small molecule that inhibits the tyrosyl radical within the RNR β 2 subunit. Solvent kinetic isotope effects reveal that proton transfer is not rate-limiting for inhibition of Y122• of E. coli RNR β 2 by the pertinent 3AP-Fe(II) adduct. Vibrational spectroscopy further demonstrates that unlike inhibition of the β 2 tyrosyl radical by hydroxyurea, a carboxylate containing proton wire is not at play. Binding measurements reveal a low nanomolar affinity (K d ∼ 6 nM) of 3AP-Fe(II) for β 2 . Taken together, these data should prompt further development of RNR inactivators based on the triapine scaffold for therapeutic applications.