Core Insights - The research teams from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Xiamen University discovered a metal isomerase that catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of hexoses, revealing a sophisticated strategy for microbial metabolic balance through "one enzyme, dual functions" [1] Group 1: Research Findings - The study published in the journal Nature-Catalysis highlights the importance of hexose carbon-carbon bond cleavage as a key step in metabolism [1] - The research focused on the natural product "cycloheximide," analyzing the structure and function of the key enzyme Art22, which has significant antibacterial activity [1] - Art22 features a typical TIM barrel structure and can catalyze both the isomerization of ketohexoses and the oxidative cleavage of hexoses into short-chain compounds, releasing carbon dioxide [1] Group 2: Enzyme Functionality - Art22 performs isomerization and oxidative cleavage sequentially at the same active site, playing dual roles of "synthesis" and "degradation" within the microbial cell [1] - This dual functionality helps promote the generation of antibacterial molecules while simultaneously inactivating toxic byproducts, maintaining a delicate balance within the cell [1] Group 3: Implications - The research provides a novel understanding of sugar oxidative cleavage mechanisms, expanding the knowledge of metal enzyme catalytic reactions [1] - It offers new insights into microbial metabolic regulation and serves as a theoretical basis for the development of natural product drugs and enzyme engineering applications [1]

Core Insights - The research team discovered a metal isomerase with a new function in catalyzing hexose oxidative cleavage, revealing a sophisticated strategy for microbial metabolic balance through "one enzyme, dual function" [1][2] Group 1: Research Findings - The study elucidates a novel mechanism for carbohydrate oxidative cleavage, expanding the understanding of metal enzyme catalytic reactions [2] - The enzyme Art22, derived from the natural product "circular enediyne," exhibits a typical TIM barrel structure and can catalyze both hexose isomerization and oxidative cleavage [1] - Art22 performs isomerization and oxidative cleavage sequentially at the same active site, playing dual roles in synthesizing antibacterial molecules and deactivating toxic byproducts within the microbial cell [1]