The retaining β-Kdo glycosyltransferase WbbB uses a double-displacement mechanism with an intermediate adduct rearrangement step

Abstract

WbbB is a structurally unusual retaining glycosyltransferase. Here, the authors show that WbbB forms an Asp232-Kdo adduct prior to transfer to the saccharide acceptor. Therefore, unlike any previously studied glycosyltransferase, WbbB uses the double-displacement mechanism first proposed in 1953.