Ribonucleotide reductases and their occurrence in microorganisms: a link to the 
RNA/DNA transition

Harder, Jens

doi:10.1111/j.1574-6976.1993.tb00023.x

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Ribonucleotide reductases and their occurrence in microorganisms: a link to the RNA/DNA transition

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Harder, Jens
Department of Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Max Planck Society;

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Harder, J. (1993). Ribonucleotide reductases and their occurrence in microorganisms: a link to the RNA/DNA transition. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 12(4), 273-292. doi:10.1111/j.1574-6976.1993.tb00023.x.

Cite as: https://hdl.handle.net/21.11116/0000-0004-9157-6

Abstract

The evolution of a deoxyribonucleotide synthesizing ribonucleotide reductase might have initiated the transition from the ancient RNA world into the prevailing DNA world. At least five classes of ribonucleotide reductases have evolved. The ancient enzyme has not been identified. A reconstruction of the first ribonucleotide reductase requires knowledge of contemporary enzymes and of microbial evolution. Experimental work on the former focuses on few organisms, whereas the latter is now well understood on the basis of ribosomal RNA sequences. Deoxyribonucleotide formation has not been investigated in many evolutionary important microorganisms. This review covers our knowledge on deoxyribonucleotide synthesis in microorganisms and the distribution of ribonucleotide reductases in nature. Ecological constraints on enzyme evolution and knowledge deficiencies emerge from complete coverage of the phylogenetic groups.