Primary Citation of Related Structures:   1QAM, 1QAN, 1QAO, 1QAQ
PubMed Abstract: 
The rRNA methyltransferase ErmC' transfers methyl groups from S -adenosyl-l-methionine to atom N6 of an adenine base within the peptidyltransferase loop of 23 S rRNA, thus conferring antibiotic resistance against a number of macrolide antibiotics. The crystal structures of ErmC' and of its complexes with the cofactor S -adenosyl-l-methionine, the reaction product S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine and the methyltransferase inhibitor Sinefungin, respectively, show that the enzyme undergoes small conformational changes upon ligand binding ...
The rRNA methyltransferase ErmC' transfers methyl groups from S -adenosyl-l-methionine to atom N6 of an adenine base within the peptidyltransferase loop of 23 S rRNA, thus conferring antibiotic resistance against a number of macrolide antibiotics. The crystal structures of ErmC' and of its complexes with the cofactor S -adenosyl-l-methionine, the reaction product S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine and the methyltransferase inhibitor Sinefungin, respectively, show that the enzyme undergoes small conformational changes upon ligand binding. Overall, the ligand molecules bind to the protein in a similar mode as observed for other methyltransferases. Small differences between the binding of the amino acid parts of the different ligands are correlated with differences in their chemical structure. A model for the transition-state based on the atomic details of the active site is consistent with a one-step methyl-transfer mechanism and might serve as a first step towards the design of potent Erm inhibitors.
Related Citations: 
Crystal structure of ErmC', an RNA methyltransferase which mediates antibiotic resistance in bacteria Bussiere, D.E., Muchmore, S.W., Dealwis, C.G., Schluckebier, G., Nienaber, V.L., Edalji, R.P., Walter, K.A., Ladror, U.S., Holzman, T.F., Abad-Zapatero, C. (1998) Biochemistry 37: 7103
Organizational Affiliation: 
Abbott Laboratories, D46Y-AP 10, 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, IL, 60064, USA. gerd.schluckebier@abbott.com