Definition of Alkyltransferase



Alkyltransferases belong to the group of such proteins which are involved in repairing the DNA by reversing the damage. They are present in the prokaryotic as well as eukaryotic cells. These proteins tend to remove the alkyl groups like methyl, ethyl etc. from the bases, guanine and thymine. The alkyltransferases which are present in E. coli have an ability to remove methyl group from the phosphate groups present in the backbone of the DNA.

 


The alkyl group which is removed from the base is transferred to the cysteine residue. In this way, both the bases present in the DNA get restored. These enzymes are known as suicide enzymes as they are used up during the process.

 

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