Molecular Mechanism of Inhibition of DNA Methylation by Zebularine

In this work, we have analyzed the molecular mechanism of inhibition of a C5-DNA methyltransferase by zebularine using classical and QM/MM simulations. We found that the reaction proceeds with the addition of an unprotonated cysteine to the C6 position of the ring followed by methyl transfer to the C5 position. However, while the first step is reversible and presents a moderate free-energy barrier, the second step presents a large free-energy barrier, preventing the formation of the methylated complex. This mechanistic proposal agrees with recent experimental observations that point to the formation of a reversible covalent complex between DNA containing zebularine and methyltransferases. T…