# Radical SAM Enzymes: Molecular Mechanisms of Radical Initiation

> **NIH NIH R35** · MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY - BOZEMAN · 2021 · $92,285

## Abstract

Broderick, Joan B.
5R35GM131889-02
Administrative Supplement for Purchase of a Rapid Freeze Quench / Stopped Flow
Abstract/Summary of Project
 Radical SAM is one of the largest enzyme superfamilies known, with its members catalyzing a
remarkable diversity of reactions in all domains of life. Radical SAM enzymes are involved in the synthesis
of essential cofactors and antibiotics, repair of DNA damage, and the assembly of complex biological metal
clusters, among many other reactions. The presence of radical SAM enzymes in humans as well as in both
beneficial and pathogenic microbes lends high significance to understanding their fundamental properties
and mechanisms. The proposed research will develop a critical understanding of radical SAM mechanisms,
in particular the radical initiation process common to all enzymes in this large and diverse superfamily.
Research efforts will focus on trapping radical intermediates using rapid freeze-quench, cryoreduction,
annealing, and photolysis approaches. These intermediates will then be characterized by using
spectroscopic approaches such as electron paramagnetic resonance and electron-nuclear double
resonance, and structural approaches such as X-ray crystallography. The proposed supplement will allow
the purchase of needed stopped-flow mixing/ rapid-freeze-quench and UV-visible detection capability to
carry out these experiments..

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10389995
- **Project number:** 3R35GM131889-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY - BOZEMAN
- **Principal Investigator:** Joan B Broderick
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $92,285
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-06-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10389995

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10389995, Radical SAM Enzymes: Molecular Mechanisms of Radical Initiation (3R35GM131889-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10389995. Licensed CC0.

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