ADP-ribosylation is a ubiquitous regulatory posttranslational modification involved in numerous key processes such as DNA repair, transcription, cell differentiation, apoptosis, and the pathogenic mechanism of certain bacterial toxins. Despite the importance of this reversible process, very little is known about the structure and mechanism of the hydrolases that catalyze removal of the ADP-ribose moiety. In the phototrophic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum, dinitrogenase reductase-activating glycohydrolase (DraG), a dimanganese enzyme that reversibly associates with the cell membrane, is a key player in the regulation of nitrogenase activity. DraG has long served as a model protein for ADP-ribosylhydrolases. Here, we present the crystal structure of DraG in the holo and ADP-ribose bound forms. We also present the structure of a reaction intermediate analogue and propose a detailed catalytic mechanism for protein de-ADP-ribosylation involving ring opening of the substrate ribose. In addition, the particular manganese coordination in DraG suggests a rationale for the enzyme's preference for manganese over magnesium, although not requiring a redox active metal for the reaction.binuclear dinuclear ͉ bioinorganic chemistry ͉ covalent modification ͉ nitrogen fixation ͉ posttranslational modifications P osttranslational modification of proteins by the attachment of chemical groups is used by cells from all kingdoms of life and occurs in several forms. Through the reversible covalent modification of specific amino acid side chains, enzyme activity, or protein function can be switched on and off as a rapid response to environmental stimuli. ADP-ribosylation is a posttranslational modification existing in two distinct forms, mono-and poly-ADPribosylation, resulting from the attachment of a single ADP-ribose moiety or a polymeric ADP-ribose chain structure, respectively, to the protein (1, 2).Mono-ADP-ribosylation was first discovered as a process used in the action of several bacterial toxins, including cholera-, diphtheria-, and pertussis toxin (3, 4). The pathogenesis of these diseases involves ADP-ribosylation of specific human proteins, catalyzed by the toxins, thereby affecting the activity of the modified proteins. In human physiology, mono-ADP-ribosylation is found in the regulation of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, as well as part of immune function (5, 6). Poly-ADP-ribosylation is involved in many fundamental processes such as DNA repair, transcription and cell differentiation, and is also implicated in carcinogenesis (6-8). Poly-ADP-ribosylation inhibitors are currently in phase II clinical trials for treatment of breast and ovarian cancer (9).Mono-ADP-ribosylation is catalyzed by ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs) and is specifically targeted to amino acids residues such as Arg, Asn, Glu, Asp, Cys, diphthamide, or phosphoserine. The reaction is stereospecific, using -NAD ϩ as a substrate, forming the ␣-anomer of the ADP-ribosylated amino acid and releasing nicotinamide (10) (Fig. 1). PolyADP-ribosylation i...