Base-flipping mutations of uracil DNA glycosylase: substrate rescue using a pyrene nucleotide wedge

The enzymatic base flipping by uracil DNA glycosylase is facilitated by a pyrene nucleotide wedge place opposite a uracil base in duplex DNA so as to preorganize the target base in an extrahelical conformation. Data show that a lock-and-key mechanism facilitates the enzyme mediated uracil recognition by the pyrene wedge substrate.