Radical SAM proteins catalyse diverse reactions, including unusual methylations, isomerisation, sulphur insertion, ring formation, anaerobic oxidation and protein radical formation.
23S rRNA (adenine(2503)-C(2))-methyltransferase (RlmN) specifically methylates position 2 of adenine 2503 in 23S rRNA and position 2 of adenine 37 in tRNAs. m2A2503 modification seems to play a crucial role in the proofreading step occurring at the peptidyl transferase centre and thus would serve to optimise ribosomal fidelity. Unmodified tRNA is not a suitable substrate for RlmN, which suggests that RlmN works in a late step during tRNA maturation. RlmN is a member of the Radical SAM superfamily.
Defined by 6 residues: GLU:B-105CYS:B-118CYS:B-125CYS:B-129CYS:B-132CYS:B-355