FIGURE 1.

Activation of sulfatases by formylglycine-generating enzyme (FGE) and proposed sulfatase mechanism. a, FGE activates sulfatases by oxidizing an active site cysteine to a 2-formylglycyl residue (FGly). Previously determined sulfatase crystal structures indicate that the active site FGly is hydrated, suggesting that sulfate ester cleavage is mediated by a transesterification elimination mechanism (3). b, the sulfatase motif is located toward the N terminus of sulfatases and targets the appropriate cysteine (*) for modification by FGE. Black indicates an exact residue match; dark gray indicates conserved residues; light gray indicates similar residues.