Detection of Catalytically Linked Conformational Changes in Wild-Type Class Ia Ribonucleotide Reductase Using Reaction-Induced FTIR Spectroscopy.

The enzyme, ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), is essential for DNA synthesis in all cells. The class Ia RNR consists of two dimeric subunits, α and β, which form an active but unstable heterodimer of dimers, αβ. The structure of the wild-type form of the enzyme has been challenging to study due to the instability of the catalytic complex.