Crystal structure of thebaine 6-O-demethylase from the morphine biosynthesis pathway.

Thebaine 6-O-demethylase (T6ODM) from Papaver somniferum (opium poppy), which belongs to the non-heme 2-oxoglutarate/Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenases (ODD) family, is a key enzyme in the morphine biosynthesis pathway. Initially, T6ODM was characterized as an enzyme catalyzing O-demethylation of thebaine to neopinone and oripavine to morphinone. However, the substrate range of T6ODM was recently expanded to a number of various benzylisoquinoline alkaloids.

On the Structure and Reaction Mechanism of Human Acireductone Dioxygenase.

Acireductone dioxygenase (ARD) is an intriguing enzyme from the methionine salvage pathway that is capable of catalysing two different oxidation reactions with the same substrate depending on the type of the metal ion in the active site. To date, the structural information regarding the ARD-acireductone complex is limited and possible reaction mechanisms are still under debate. The results of joint experimental and computational studies undertaken to advance knowledge about ARD are reported.

Rapid identification of tuberculosis epididymo-orchitis by INNO-LiPA Rif TB and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube tests: case report.

Diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is often missed or delayed because of nonspecific clinical and laboratory findings. Novel detection methods, such as polymerase chain reaction and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube, can aid in the diagnosis of active extrapulmonary TB. Here, we demonstrate a case of epididymo-orchitis as the sole presentation of TB in a 32-year-old man.