New Chemical Reaction For DNA Production In Bacteria And Viruses Discovered

Scientists have discovered a new chemical reaction for producing one of the four nucleotides, or building blocks, needed to build DNA. The reaction includes an unusual first step, or mechanism, and unlike other known reactions that produce the DNA building block, uses an enzyme that speeds up, or catalyzes, the reaction without bonding to any of the compounds, or substrates, in the reaction. This findings could help lead to development of new antibacterial and antiviral drugs.