AdoHcyase is a highly conserved protein[4] with about 430 to 470 amino acids. The family contains a glycine-rich region in the central part of AdoHcyase; a region thought to be involved in NAD-binding. AdoHcyase binds one NAD+ cofactor per subunit. This protein may use the morpheein model of allosteric regulation.[5]
Overall hydrolysis begins with dehydrogenative oxidation of the 3'-OH of the ribose by NAD+ (forming NADH). The resulting ketone is α-deprotonated to the enol before elimination of the homocysteine thiolate. Water then adds to the
a,b-unsaturated ketone
, before reduction of the resultant ketone by NADH.
AdoHcyase is encoded by the AHCY gene in humans,[6][7] which is believed to have a prognostic role in neuroblastoma.[8] AdoHcyase is significantly associated with adenosine deaminase deficiency, which classically manifests in severe combine immunodeficiency (SCID). Accumulated adenosine derivatives, dATPs, irreversibly bind to and inhibit AdoHcyase, promoting the buildup of S-adenosyl-L-homocystine (due to equilibrium constant favors S-adenosyl-L-homocystine), a potent inhibitor of methyl transfer reactions.[9]
