[Substrate specificity of adenosine deaminase. The role of methyl groups at 2', 3', and 5'-carbon atoms of adenosine].

The substrate specifity of adenosine deaminase has been studied using C'-methyl derivatives of adenosine. On the basis of the correlation revealed between conformations of 2'- and 3'-C-methyladenosine and their substrate properties, a modified stereochemical model is suggested: the enzyme accepts the substrate within a N-type conformational range (4E----4T3----3E) of the furanose ring. The model was analysed in details using a number of C3'-modified adenosines and 5'-C-methyladenosine analogues with D-allo- and L-talo-configuration.