The Pseudouridine Synthases Proceed through a Glycal Intermediate

The pseudouridine synthases isomerize (U) in RNA to pseudouridine (Psi), and the mechanism that they follow has long been a question of interest. The recent elucidation of a product of the mechanistic probe 5-fluorouridine that had been epimerized to the arabino isomer suggested that the Psi synthases might operate through a glycal intermediate formed by deprotonation of C2'. When that position in substrate U is deuterated, a primary kinetic isotope effect is observed, which indisputably indicates that the proposed deprotonation occurs during the isomerization of U to Psi and establishes the mechanism followed by the Psi synthases.