Sun Kim
Papers
1
Total Citations
5
H-Index
1
About
Sun Kim is a structural biologist whose work illuminates the molecular machinery of vitamin B12 metabolism and bacterial physiology. Her research centers on the structural characterization of enzymes involved in coenzyme B12 biosynthesis and utilization, with a particular focus on ATP:cobalamin adenosyltransferases. Her most cited study, the 2008 crystal structure of a PduO-type adenosyltransferase from *Burkholderia thailandensis*, provided the first detailed view of how this enzyme catalyzes the conversion of cobalamin to adenosylcobalamin—the active coenzyme form that serves as a radical reservoir for enzymatic reactions. This work, which has garnered 5 citations, established a structural framework for understanding B12 activation across bacterial species. Kim’s contributions are significant for their implications in microbial metabolism and pathogenesis, as B12-dependent enzymes are critical for processes like fermentation and detoxification. Her structural insights have helped clarify how bacteria regulate coenzyme B12 production, with potential applications in biotechnology and antimicrobial development. Through her precise crystallographic analyses, Kim continues to advance our understanding of how metalloenzymes orchestrate complex biochemical transformations at the atomic level.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
- 1