The catalytic mechanism of nucleoside diphosphate kinases

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases catalyze the reversible transfer of the gamm a phosphate of nucleoside triphosphates to nucleoside diphosphates. This mi nireview presents recent advances in understanding the reaction mechanism u sing steady-state and fast kinetic studies, X-ray crystallography, and site -directed mutagenesis. We also briefly discuss the physiological relevance of in vitro studies.