Ribonucleotide Reductase M2 (RRM2) is a critical enzyme involved in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides from ribonucleotides, which are essential precursors for DNA synthesis and repair. This enzyme plays a pivotal role in maintaining the balance of the deoxyribonucleotide pool within cells, ensuring proper DNA replication and cell division.
RRM2 is one of the two non-identical subunits of ribonucleotide reductase, the other being RRM1. The RRM2 subunit is regulated in a cell-cycle-dependent manner, with its expression peaking during the S phase of the cell cycle. This regulation ensures that deoxyribonucleotide production is synchronized with DNA replication demands .
The enzyme catalyzes the reduction of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides through a complex mechanism involving radical generation and transfer. The active site of RRM2 contains a diiron-oxygen cluster, which is essential for the generation of a tyrosyl radical necessary for the reduction process .
RRM2 is ubiquitously expressed in proliferating cells, with higher expression levels observed in tissues with high proliferative rates, such as the bone marrow, thymus, and gastrointestinal tract . Its expression is also upregulated in various cancers, where it is often associated with poor prognosis .
The expression of RRM2 is regulated at multiple levels, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational modifications. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by cell cycle-dependent transcription factors, while post-transcriptional regulation involves microRNAs that target RRM2 mRNA for degradation . Post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, can also modulate the activity and stability of the RRM2 protein .
Given its essential role in DNA synthesis and repair, RRM2 is a potential target for cancer therapy. Inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase, such as hydroxyurea, have been used to treat certain cancers by disrupting DNA synthesis in rapidly proliferating tumor cells . Additionally, the overexpression of RRM2 in cancers makes it a valuable biomarker for prognosis and a potential target for therapeutic intervention .