Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), in addition to its known metabolic functions, inactivates many DNA-dependent enzymes through conjugation to their critical amino groups. We have investigated the ability of PLP to inhibit bifunctional DNA repair glycosylases, which possess a catalytic amine. Of six enzymes tested, only endonuclease VIII-like protein 2 (NEIL2) was significantly inhibited by PLP. The inhibition was due to Schiff base formation between PLP and the enzyme. PLP-conjugated NEIL2 completely lost its ability to bind damaged DNA. Liquid chromatography/nanoelectrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry of the products of proteolysis of pyridoxylated NEIL2 identified Lys50 as the site of modification. Thus, the beta 2/beta 3 loop where Lys50 is located in NEIL2 is important for DNA binding, presumably lies next to a phosphate-binding site, and may represent a target for regulation of the enzyme activity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.