1
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Polêto M, Allen KD, Lemkul JA. Structural Dynamics of the Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase Active Site Are Influenced by Coenzyme F 430 Modifications. Biochemistry 2024; 63:1783-1794. [PMID: 38914925 PMCID: PMC11256747 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) is a central player in methane biogeochemistry, governing methanogenesis and the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in methanogens and anaerobic methanotrophs (ANME), respectively. The prosthetic group of MCR is coenzyme F430, a nickel-containing tetrahydrocorphin. Several modified versions of F430 have been discovered, including the 172-methylthio-F430 (mtF430) used by ANME-1 MCR. Here, we employ molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the active site dynamics of MCR from Methanosarcina acetivorans and ANME-1 when bound to the canonical F430 compared to 172-thioether coenzyme F430 variants and substrates (methyl-coenzyme M and coenzyme B) for methane formation. Our simulations highlight the importance of the Gln to Val substitution in accommodating the 172 methylthio modification in ANME-1 MCR. Modifications at the 172 position disrupt the canonical substrate positioning in M. acetivorans MCR. However, in some replicates, active site reorganization to maintain substrate positioning suggests that the modified F430 variants could be accommodated in a methanogenic MCR. We additionally report the first quantitative estimate of MCR intrinsic electric fields that are pivotal in driving methane formation. Our results suggest that the electric field aligned along the CH3-S-CoM thioether bond facilitates homolytic bond cleavage, coinciding with the proposed catalytic mechanism. Structural perturbations, however, weaken and misalign these electric fields, emphasizing the importance of the active site structure in maintaining their integrity. In conclusion, our results deepen the understanding of MCR active site dynamics, the enzyme's organizational role in intrinsic electric fields for catalysis, and the interplay between active site structure and electrostatics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo
D. Polêto
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, 111 Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Kylie D. Allen
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, 111 Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Justin A. Lemkul
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, 111 Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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2
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Liu XY, Ma JY, Wang Y, Duan JL, Feng LJ, Zhu FP, Sun XD, Yan Z, Yuan XZ. Chemical Dynamics of Selenium Nanoparticles in Archaeal Systems. ACS NANO 2024; 18:15661-15670. [PMID: 38841753 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c01596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea, characterized by their cell membrane lipid molecules consisting of isoprenoid chains linked to glycerol-1-phosphate via ether bonds, exhibit exceptional adaptability to extreme environments. However, this distinct lipid architecture also complicates the interactions between methanogenic archaea and nanoparticles. This study addresses this challenge by exploring the interaction and transformation of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) within archaeal Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A. We demonstrated that the effects of SeNPs are highly concentration-dependent, with chemical stimulation of cellular processes at lower SeNPs concentrations as well as oxidative stress and metabolic disruption at higher concentrations. Notably, we observed the formation of a protein corona on SeNPs, characterized by the selective adsorption of enzymes critical for methylotrophic methanogenesis and those involved in selenium methylation, suggesting potential alterations in protein function and metabolic pathways. Furthermore, the intracellular transformation of SeNPs into both inorganic and organic selenium species highlighted their bioavailability and dynamic transformation within archaea. These findings provide vital insights into the nano-bio interface in archaeal systems, contributing to our understanding of archaeal catalysis and its broader applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yu Liu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, P. R. China
| | - Jing-Ya Ma
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, P. R. China
| | - Yue Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Lu Duan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, P. R. China
| | - Li-Juan Feng
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, P. R. China
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P. R. China
| | - Fan-Ping Zhu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Dong Sun
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, P. R. China
| | - Zhen Yan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, P. R. China
| | - Xian-Zheng Yuan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, P. R. China
- Sino-French Research Institute for Ecology and Environment, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, P. R. China
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3
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Camargo FP, Sakamoto IK, Delforno TP, Midoux C, Duarte ICS, Silva EL, Bize A, Varesche MBA. Microbial and functional characterization of granulated sludge from full-scale UASB thermophilic reactor applied to sugarcane vinasse treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2023; 44:3141-3160. [PMID: 35298346 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2052361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Considering the scarcity of data in the literature regarding phylogenetic and metabolic composition of different inocula, especially those from thermophilic conditions, this research aimed at characterizing the microbial community and preferable metabolic pathways of an UASB reactor sludge applied to the thermophilic treatment (55°C) of sugarcane vinasse, by means of shotgun metagenomics. After its metabolic potential was depicted, it was possible to observe several genes encoding enzymes that are of great importance to anaerobic digestion processes with different wastes as substrate, especially regarding the biodegradation of carbohydrates and ligninolytic compounds, glycerolypids, volatile fatty acids and alcohols metabolism and biogas (H2 and CH4) production. The genera identified in higher relative abundances for Bacteria domain were Sulfirimonas (37.52 ± 1.8%), possibly related to the sludge endogenic activity due to its strong relation with a peptidoglycan lyase enzymes family, followed by Fluviicola (5.01 ± 1.0%), Defluviitoga (4.36 ± 0.2%), Coprothermobacter (4.32 ± 0.5%), Fervidobacterium (2.93 ± 0.3%), Marinospirillum (2.75 ± 0.2%), Pseudomonas (2.14 ± 0.2%) and Flavobacterium (1.78 ± 0.1%), mostly related with carbohydrates fermentations and/or H2 production. For Archaea domain, Methanosarcina (0.61 ± 0.1%), Methanothermobacter (0.38 ± 0.0%), Methanoculleus (0.30 ± 0.1%), Thermococcus (0.03 ± 0.0%), Methanolobus (0.02 ± 1.8%), Methanobacterium (0.013 ± 0.0%), Aciduliprofundum and Pyrococcus (0.01 ± 0.0%) were the most dominant ones, being Methanosarcina the most related with methanogenesis. It was concluded that the robust inoculum description performed in this study may subside future biotechnological researches by using similar inocula (UASB sludges), focusing on the obtainment of value-added by-products by means of anaerobic digestion, such as volatile fatty acids, alcohols and biogas (H2 and CH4), by using several types of waste as substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franciele Pereira Camargo
- Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, School of Engineering of São Carlos, University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Isabel Kimiko Sakamoto
- Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, School of Engineering of São Carlos, University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos, Brazil
| | | | - Cédric Midoux
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, PRocédés biOtechnologiques au Service de l'Environnement (PROSE), Antony, France
| | | | - Edson Luiz Silva
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Ariane Bize
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, PRocédés biOtechnologiques au Service de l'Environnement (PROSE), Antony, France
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4
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Gagsteiger J, Jahn S, Heidinger L, Gericke L, Andexer JN, Friedrich T, Loenarz C, Layer G. A Cobalamin-Dependent Radical SAM Enzyme Catalyzes the Unique C α -Methylation of Glutamine in Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202204198. [PMID: 35638156 PMCID: PMC9401015 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202204198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Methyl‐coenzyme M reductase, which is responsible for the production of the greenhouse gas methane during biological methane formation, carries several unique posttranslational amino acid modifications, including a 2‐(S)‐methylglutamine. The enzyme responsible for the Cα‐methylation of this glutamine is not known. Herein, we identify and characterize a cobalamin‐dependent radical SAM enzyme as the glutamine C‐methyltransferase. The recombinant protein from Methanoculleus thermophilus binds cobalamin in a base‐off, His‐off conformation and contains a single [4Fe‐4S] cluster. The cobalamin cofactor cycles between the methyl‐cob(III)alamin, cob(II)alamin and cob(I)alamin states during catalysis and produces methylated substrate, 5′‐deoxyadenosine and S‐adenosyl‐l‐homocysteine in a 1 : 1 : 1 ratio. The newly identified glutamine C‐methyltransferase belongs to the class B radical SAM methyltransferases known to catalyze challenging methylation reactions of sp3‐hybridized carbon atoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Gagsteiger
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische Biologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 19, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sören Jahn
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstr. 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lorenz Heidinger
- Institut für Biochemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Gericke
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstr. 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jennifer N Andexer
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstr. 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Friedrich
- Institut für Biochemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstr. 21, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Loenarz
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstr. 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gunhild Layer
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische Biologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 19, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
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5
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Gagsteiger J, Jahn S, Heidinger L, Gericke L, Andexer JN, Friedrich T, Loenarz C, Layer G. A Cobalamin‐Dependent Radical SAM Enzyme Catalyzes the Unique Cα‐Methylation of Glutamine in Methyl‐Coenzyme M Reductase. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202204198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Gagsteiger
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische Biologie GERMANY
| | - Sören Jahn
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie GERMANY
| | - Lorenz Heidinger
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Institut für Biochemie GERMANY
| | - Lukas Gericke
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie GERMANY
| | - Jennifer N. Andexer
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie GERMANY
| | - Thorsten Friedrich
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie Institut für Biochemie GERMANY
| | - Christoph Loenarz
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie GERMANY
| | - Gunhild Layer
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie Institut für Pharmazeutische Wissenschaften, Pharmazeutische Biologie Stefan-Meier-Str. 19 79104 Freiburg GERMANY
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6
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Lemaire O, Wagner T. A Structural View of Alkyl-Coenzyme M Reductases, the First Step of Alkane Anaerobic Oxidation Catalyzed by Archaea. Biochemistry 2022; 61:805-821. [PMID: 35500274 PMCID: PMC9118554 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Microbial anaerobic oxidation of alkanes intrigues the scientific community by way of its impact on the global carbon cycle, and its biotechnological applications. Archaea are proposed to degrade short- and long-chain alkanes to CO2 by reversing methanogenesis, a theoretically reversible process. The pathway would start with alkane activation, an endergonic step catalyzed by methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) homologues that would generate alkyl-thiols carried by coenzyme M. While the methane-generating MCR found in methanogens has been well characterized, the enzymatic activity of the putative alkane-fixing counterparts has not been validated so far. Such an absence of biochemical investigations contrasts with the current explosion of metagenomics data, which draws new potential alkane-oxidizing pathways in various archaeal phyla. Therefore, validating the physiological function of these putative alkane-fixing machines and investigating how their structures, catalytic mechanisms, and cofactors vary depending on the targeted alkane have become urgent needs. The first structural insights into the methane- and ethane-capturing MCRs highlighted unsuspected differences and proposed some explanations for their substrate specificity. This Perspective reviews the current physiological, biochemical, and structural knowledge of alkyl-CoM reductases and offers fresh ideas about the expected mechanistic and chemical differences among members of this broad family. We conclude with the challenges of the investigation of these particular enzymes, which might one day generate biofuels for our modern society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier
N. Lemaire
- Max Planck Institute for
Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Tristan Wagner
- Max Planck Institute for
Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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7
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Gendron A, Allen KD. Overview of Diverse Methyl/Alkyl-Coenzyme M Reductases and Considerations for Their Potential Heterologous Expression. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:867342. [PMID: 35547147 PMCID: PMC9081873 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.867342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) is an archaeal enzyme that catalyzes the final step of methanogenesis and the first step in the anaerobic oxidation of methane, the energy metabolisms of methanogens and anaerobic methanotrophs (ANME), respectively. Variants of MCR, known as alkyl-coenzyme M reductases, are involved in the anaerobic oxidation of short-chain alkanes including ethane, propane, and butane as well as the catabolism of long-chain alkanes from oil reservoirs. MCR is a dimer of heterotrimers (encoded by mcrABG) and requires the nickel-containing tetrapyrrole prosthetic group known as coenzyme F430. MCR houses a series of unusual post-translational modifications within its active site whose identities vary depending on the organism and whose functions remain unclear. Methanogenic MCRs are encoded in a highly conserved mcrBDCGA gene cluster, which encodes two accessory proteins, McrD and McrC, that are believed to be involved in the assembly and activation of MCR, respectively. The requirement of a unique and complex coenzyme, various unusual post-translational modifications, and many remaining questions surrounding assembly and activation of MCR largely limit in vitro experiments to native enzymes with recombinant methods only recently appearing. Production of MCRs in a heterologous host is an important step toward developing optimized biocatalytic systems for methane production as well as for bioconversion of methane and other alkanes into value-added compounds. This review will first summarize MCR catalysis and structure, followed by a discussion of advances and challenges related to the production of diverse MCRs in a heterologous host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kylie D. Allen
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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8
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Miyazaki Y, Oohora K, Hayashi T. Focusing on a nickel hydrocorphinoid in a protein matrix: methane generation by methyl-coenzyme M reductase with F430 cofactor and its models. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:1629-1639. [PMID: 35148362 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00840d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) containing a nickel hydrocorphinoid cofactor, F430, is an essential enzyme that catalyzes anaerobic methane generation and oxidation. The active Ni(I) species in MCR converts methyl-coenzyme M (CH3S-CoM) and coenzyme B (HS-CoB) to methane and heterodisulfide (CoM-S-S-CoB). Extensive experimental and theoretical studies focusing on the substrate-binding cavity including the F430 cofactor in MCR have suggested two principally different reaction mechanisms involving an organonickel CH3-Ni(III) species or a transient methyl radical species. In parallel with research on native MCR itself, the functionality of MCR has been investigated in the context of model complexes of F430 and recent protein-based functional models, which include a nickel complex. In the latter case, hemoproteins reconstituted with tetradehydro- and didehydrocorrinoid nickel complexes have been found to represent useful model systems that are responsible for methane generation. These efforts support the proposed mechanism of the enzymatic reaction and provide important insight into replicating the MCR-like methane-generation process. Furthermore, the modeling of MCR described here is expected to lead to understanding of protein-supported nickel porphyrinoid chemistry as well as the creation of MCR-inspired catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Miyazaki
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Koji Oohora
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Takashi Hayashi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan.
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9
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XFEL serial crystallography reveals the room temperature structure of methyl-coenzyme M reductase. J Inorg Biochem 2022; 230:111768. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2022.111768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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10
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Hahn CJ, Lemaire ON, Kahnt J, Engilberge S, Wegener G, Wagner T. Crystal structure of a key enzyme for anaerobic ethane activation. Science 2021; 373:118-121. [PMID: 34210888 DOI: 10.1126/science.abg1765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Ethane, the second most abundant hydrocarbon gas in the seafloor, is efficiently oxidized by anaerobic archaea in syntrophy with sulfate-reducing bacteria. Here, we report the 0.99-angstrom-resolution structure of the proposed ethane-activating enzyme and describe the specific traits that distinguish it from methane-generating and -consuming methyl-coenzyme M reductases. The widened catalytic chamber, harboring a dimethylated nickel-containing F430 cofactor, would adapt the chemistry of methyl-coenzyme M reductases for a two-carbon substrate. A sulfur from methionine replaces the oxygen from a canonical glutamine as the nickel lower-axial ligand, a feature conserved in thermophilic ethanotrophs. Specific loop extensions, a four-helix bundle dilatation, and posttranslational methylations result in the formation of a 33-angstrom-long hydrophobic tunnel, which guides the ethane to the buried active site as confirmed with xenon pressurization experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric J Hahn
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen 28359, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Kahnt
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Gunter Wegener
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen 28359, Germany. .,Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.,Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Tristan Wagner
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen 28359, Germany.
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11
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Liu A, Krushnamurthy PH, Subramanya KS, Mitchell DA, Mahanta N. Enzymatic thioamidation of peptide backbones. Methods Enzymol 2021; 656:459-494. [PMID: 34325795 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Thioamides are found in a few natural products and two known protein assemblies: the Escherichia coli ribosome and methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) from methane-metabolizing archaea. Compared to an amide, thioamides alter the physical and chemical properties of peptide backbones, including the conformation dynamics, proteolytic stability, hydrogen-bonding capabilities, and possibly reactivity of a protein when installed. Recently, there has been significant progress in elucidating enzymatic post-translational thioamide installation, with most work leveraging the archaeal MCR-modifying enzymes. This chapter describes the protocols used for the in vitro enzymatic thioamidation of MCR-derived peptides, including polypeptide overexpression, purification, reaction reconstitution, and mass spectrometry-based product analysis. In addition, we highlight the protocols used for the biochemical, kinetics, and binding studies using recombinant enzymes obtained heterologously from E. coli. We anticipate that these methods will serve to guide future studies on peptide post-translational thioamidation, as well as other peptide backbone modifications using a parallel workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andi Liu
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States; Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - P H Krushnamurthy
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
| | - K S Subramanya
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
| | - Douglas A Mitchell
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States; Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Nilkamal Mahanta
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.
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12
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Structural Insights into the Methane-Generating Enzyme from a Methoxydotrophic Methanogen Reveal a Restrained Gallery of Post-Translational Modifications. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9040837. [PMID: 33919946 PMCID: PMC8070964 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea operate an ancient, if not primordial, metabolic pathway that releases methane as an end-product. This last step is orchestrated by the methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR), which uses a nickel-containing F430-cofactor as the catalyst. MCR astounds the scientific world by its unique reaction chemistry, its numerous post-translational modifications, and its importance in biotechnology not only for production but also for capturing the greenhouse gas methane. In this report, we investigated MCR natively isolated from Methermicoccus shengliensis. This methanogen was isolated from a high-temperature oil reservoir and has recently been shown to convert lignin and coal derivatives into methane through a process called methoxydotrophic methanogenesis. A methoxydotrophic culture was obtained by growing M. shengliensis with 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate as the main carbon and energy source. Under these conditions, MCR represents more than 12% of the total protein content. The native MCR structure refined at a resolution of 1.6-Å precisely depicts the organization of a dimer of heterotrimers. Despite subtle surface remodeling and complete conservation of its active site with other homologues, MCR from the thermophile M. shengliensis contains the most limited number of post-translational modifications reported so far, questioning their physiological relevance in other relatives.
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13
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Chen H, Gan Q, Fan C. Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase and Its Post-translational Modifications. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:578356. [PMID: 33162960 PMCID: PMC7581889 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.578356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) is a central enzyme in anaerobic microbial methane metabolism, which consists of methanogenesis and anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). MCR catalyzes the final step of methanogenesis and the first step of AOM to achieve the production and oxidation of methane, respectively. Besides a unique nickel tetrahydrocorphinoid (coenzyme F430), MCR also features several unusual post-translational modifications (PTMs), which are assumed to play important roles in regulating MCR functions. However, only few studies have been implemented on MCR PTMs. Therefore, to recapitulate current knowledge and prospect future studies, this review summarizes and discusses studies on MCR and its PTMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Qinglei Gan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Chenguang Fan
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
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14
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Shima S, Huang G, Wagner T, Ermler U. Structural Basis of Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenesis. Annu Rev Microbiol 2020; 74:713-733. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-011720-122807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Most methanogenic archaea use the rudimentary hydrogenotrophic pathway—from CO2and H2to methane—as the terminal step of microbial biomass degradation in anoxic habitats. The barely exergonic process that just conserves sufficient energy for a modest lifestyle involves chemically challenging reactions catalyzed by complex enzyme machineries with unique metal-containing cofactors. The basic strategy of the methanogenic energy metabolism is to covalently bind C1species to the C1carriers methanofuran, tetrahydromethanopterin, and coenzyme M at different oxidation states. The four reduction reactions from CO2to methane involve one molybdopterin-based two-electron reduction, two coenzyme F420–based hydride transfers, and one coenzyme F430–based radical process. For energy conservation, one ion-gradient-forming methyl transfer reaction is sufficient, albeit supported by a sophisticated energy-coupling process termed flavin-based electron bifurcation for driving the endergonic CO2reduction and fixation. Here, we review the knowledge about the structure-based catalytic mechanism of each enzyme of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seigo Shima
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Gangfeng Huang
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Tristan Wagner
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Ermler
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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15
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Catalytic activity regulation through post-translational modification: the expanding universe of protein diversity. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2020; 122:97-125. [PMID: 32951817 PMCID: PMC7320668 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2020.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Protein composition is restricted by the genetic code to a relatively small number of natural amino acids. Similarly, the known three-dimensional structures adopt a limited number of protein folds. However, proteins exert a large variety of functions and show a remarkable ability for regulation and immediate response to intracellular and extracellular stimuli. To some degree, the wide variability of protein function can be attributed to the post-translational modifications. Post-translational modifications have been observed in all kingdoms of life and give to proteins a significant degree of chemical and consequently functional and structural diversity. Their importance is partly reflected in the large number of genes dedicated to their regulation. So far, hundreds of post-translational modifications have been observed while it is believed that many more are to be discovered along with the technological advances in sequencing, proteomics, mass spectrometry and structural biology. Indeed, the number of studies which report novel post translational modifications is getting larger supporting the notion that their space is still largely unexplored. In this review we explore the impact of post-translational modifications on protein structure and function with emphasis on catalytic activity regulation. We present examples of proteins and protein families whose catalytic activity is substantially affected by the presence of post translational modifications and we describe the molecular basis which underlies the regulation of the protein function through these modifications. When available, we also summarize the current state of knowledge on the mechanisms which introduce these modifications to protein sites.
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16
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Nayak DD, Liu A, Agrawal N, Rodriguez-Carerro R, Dong SH, Mitchell DA, Nair SK, Metcalf WW. Functional interactions between posttranslationally modified amino acids of methyl-coenzyme M reductase in Methanosarcina acetivorans. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000507. [PMID: 32092071 PMCID: PMC7058361 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The enzyme methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) plays an important role in mediating global levels of methane by catalyzing a reversible reaction that leads to the production or consumption of this potent greenhouse gas in methanogenic and methanotrophic archaea. In methanogenic archaea, the alpha subunit of MCR (McrA) typically contains four to six posttranslationally modified amino acids near the active site. Recent studies have identified enzymes performing two of these modifications (thioglycine and 5-[S]-methylarginine), yet little is known about the formation and function of the remaining posttranslationally modified residues. Here, we provide in vivo evidence that a dedicated S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase encoded by a gene we designated methylcysteine modification (mcmA) is responsible for formation of S-methylcysteine in Methanosarcina acetivorans McrA. Phenotypic analysis of mutants incapable of cysteine methylation suggests that the S-methylcysteine residue might play a role in adaption to mesophilic conditions. To examine the interactions between the S-methylcysteine residue and the previously characterized thioglycine, 5-(S)-methylarginine modifications, we generated M. acetivorans mutants lacking the three known modification genes in all possible combinations. Phenotypic analyses revealed complex, physiologically relevant interactions between the modified residues, which alter the thermal stability of MCR in a combinatorial fashion that is not readily predictable from the phenotypes of single mutants. High-resolution crystal structures of inactive MCR lacking the modified amino acids were indistinguishable from the fully modified enzyme, suggesting that interactions between the posttranslationally modified residues do not exert a major influence on the static structure of the enzyme but rather serve to fine-tune the activity and efficiency of MCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipti D. Nayak
- Carl R. Woese Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Andi Liu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Neha Agrawal
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Roy Rodriguez-Carerro
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Shi-Hui Dong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Douglas A. Mitchell
- Carl R. Woese Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Satish K. Nair
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Center for Biophysics & Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - William W. Metcalf
- Carl R. Woese Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
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17
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Posttranslational Methylation of Arginine in Methyl Coenzyme M Reductase Has a Profound Impact on both Methanogenesis and Growth of Methanococcus maripaludis. J Bacteriol 2020; 202:JB.00654-19. [PMID: 31740491 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00654-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Catalyzing the key step for anaerobic production and/or oxidation of methane and likely other short-chain alkanes, methyl coenzyme M reductase (Mcr) and its homologs play a key role in the global carbon cycle. The McrA subunit possesses up to five conserved posttranslational modifications (PTMs) at its active site. It was previously suggested that methanogenesis marker protein 10 (Mmp10) could play an important role in methanogenesis. To systematically examine its physiological role, mmpX (locus tag MMP1554), the gene encoding Mmp10 in Methanococcus maripaludis, was deleted with a new genetic tool, resulting in the complete loss of the 5-C-(S)-methylarginine PTM of residue 275 in the McrA subunit. When the ΔmmpX mutant was complemented with the wild-type gene expressed by either a strong or a weak promoter, methylation was fully restored. Compared to the parental strain, maximal rates of methane formation by whole cells were reduced by 40 to 60% in the ΔmmpX mutant. The reduction in activity was fully reversed by the complement with the strong promoter. Site-directed mutagenesis of mmpX resulted in a differential loss of arginine methylation among the mutants in vivo, suggesting that activities of Mmp10 directly modulated methylation. R275 was present in a highly conserved PXRR275(A/S)R(G/A) signature sequence in McrAs. The only other protein in M. maripaludis containing a similar sequence was not methylated, suggesting that Mmp10 is specific for McrA. In conclusion, Mmp10 modulates the methyl-Arg PTM on McrA in a highly specific manner, which has a profound impact on Mcr activity.IMPORTANCE Mcr is the key enzyme in methanogenesis and a promising candidate for bioengineering the conversion of methane to liquid fuel. Our knowledge of Mcr is still limited. In terms of complexity, uniqueness, and environmental importance, Mcr is more comparable to photosynthetic reaction centers than conventional enzymes. PTMs have long been hypothesized to play key roles in modulating Mcr activity. Here, we directly link the mmpX gene to the arginine PTM of Mcr, demonstrate its association with methanogenesis activity, and offer insights into its substrate specificity and putative cofactor binding sites. This is also the first time that a PTM of McrA has been shown to have a substantial impact on both methanogenesis and growth in the absence of additional stressors.
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18
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Zhou S, Wang L. Unraveling the structural and chemical features of biological short hydrogen bonds. Chem Sci 2019; 10:7734-7745. [PMID: 31588321 PMCID: PMC6764281 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc01496a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Short hydrogen bonds are ubiquitous in biological macromolecules and exhibit distinctive proton potential energy surfaces and proton sharing properties.
The three-dimensional architecture of biomolecules often creates specialized structural elements, notably short hydrogen bonds that have donor–acceptor separations below 2.7 Å. In this work, we statistically analyze 1663 high-resolution biomolecular structures from the Protein Data Bank and demonstrate that short hydrogen bonds are prevalent in proteins, protein–ligand complexes and nucleic acids. From these biological macromolecules, we characterize the preferred location, connectivity and amino acid composition in short hydrogen bonds and hydrogen bond networks, and assess their possible functional importance. Using electronic structure calculations, we further uncover how the interplay of the structural and chemical features determines the proton potential energy surfaces and proton sharing conditions in biological short hydrogen bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengmin Zhou
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology , Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine , Rutgers University , Piscataway , NJ 08854 , USA .
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology , Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine , Rutgers University , Piscataway , NJ 08854 , USA .
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19
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Dong SH, Liu A, Mahanta N, Mitchell DA, Nair SK. Mechanistic Basis for Ribosomal Peptide Backbone Modifications. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2019; 5:842-851. [PMID: 31139720 PMCID: PMC6535971 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.9b00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
YcaO enzymes are known to catalyze the ATP-dependent formation of azoline heterocycles, thioamides, and (macro)lactamidines on peptide substrates. These enzymes are found in multiple biosynthetic pathways, including those for several different classes of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). However, there are major knowledge gaps in the mechanistic and structural underpinnings that govern each of the known YcaO-mediated modifications. Here, we present the first structure of any YcaO enzyme bound to its peptide substrate in the active site, specifically that from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii which is involved in the thioamidation of the α-subunit of methyl-coenzyme M reductase (McrA). The structural data are leveraged to identify and test the residues involved in substrate binding and catalysis by site-directed mutagenesis. We also show that thioamide-forming YcaOs can carry out the cyclodehydration of a related peptide substrate, which underscores the mechanistic conservation across the YcaO family and allows for the extrapolation of mechanistic details to azoline-forming YcaOs involved in RiPP biosynthesis. A bioinformatic survey of all YcaOs highlights the diverse sequence space in azoline-forming YcaOs and suggests their early divergence from a common ancestor. The data presented within provide a detailed molecular framework for understanding this family of enzymes, which reconcile several decades of prior data on RiPP cyclodehydratases. These studies also provide the foundational knowledge to impact our mechanistic understanding of additional RiPP biosynthetic classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Hui Dong
- Department
of Biochemistry, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Department of Microbiology, Department of Chemistry, and Center for Biophysics
and Quantitative Biology, University of
Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United
States
| | - Andi Liu
- Department
of Biochemistry, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Department of Microbiology, Department of Chemistry, and Center for Biophysics
and Quantitative Biology, University of
Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United
States
| | - Nilkamal Mahanta
- Department
of Biochemistry, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Department of Microbiology, Department of Chemistry, and Center for Biophysics
and Quantitative Biology, University of
Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United
States
| | - Douglas A. Mitchell
- Department
of Biochemistry, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Department of Microbiology, Department of Chemistry, and Center for Biophysics
and Quantitative Biology, University of
Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United
States
| | - Satish K. Nair
- Department
of Biochemistry, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Department of Microbiology, Department of Chemistry, and Center for Biophysics
and Quantitative Biology, University of
Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United
States
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20
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Radle MI, Miller DV, Laremore TN, Booker SJ. Methanogenesis marker protein 10 (Mmp10) from Methanosarcina acetivorans is a radical S-adenosylmethionine methylase that unexpectedly requires cobalamin. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:11712-11725. [PMID: 31113866 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.007609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Methyl coenzyme M reductase (MCR) catalyzes the last step in the biological production of methane by methanogenic archaea, as well as the first step in the anaerobic oxidation of methane to methanol by methanotrophic archaea. MCR contains a number of unique post-translational modifications in its α subunit, including thioglycine, 1-N-methylhistidine, S-methylcysteine, 5-C-(S)-methylarginine, and 2-C-(S)-methylglutamine. Recently, genes responsible for the thioglycine and methylarginine modifications have been identified in bioinformatics studies and in vivo complementation of select mutants; however, none of these reactions has been verified in vitro Herein, we purified and biochemically characterized the radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) protein MaMmp10, the product of the methanogenesis marker protein 10 gene in the methane-producing archaea Methanosarcina acetivorans Using an array of approaches, including kinetic assays, LC-MS-based quantification, and MALDI TOF-TOF MS analyses, we found that MaMmp10 catalyzes the methylation of the equivalent of Arg285 in a peptide substrate surrogate, but only in the presence of cobalamin. We noted that the methyl group derives from SAM, with cobalamin acting as an intermediate carrier, and that MaMmp10 contains a C-terminal cobalamin-binding domain. Given that Mmp10 has not been annotated as a cobalamin-binding protein, these findings suggest that cobalamin-dependent radical SAM proteins are more prevalent than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew I Radle
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Danielle V Miller
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Tatiana N Laremore
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Squire J Booker
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
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21
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Wide diversity of methane and short-chain alkane metabolisms in uncultured archaea. Nat Microbiol 2019; 4:603-613. [PMID: 30833729 PMCID: PMC6453112 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-019-0363-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Methanogenesis is an ancient metabolism of key ecological relevance, with direct impact on the evolution of Earth’s climate. Recent results suggest that the diversity of methane metabolisms and their derivations have probably been vastly underestimated. Here, by probing thousands of publicly available metagenomes for homologues of methyl-coenzyme M reductase complex (MCR), we have obtained ten metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) belonging to potential methanogenic, anaerobic methanotrophic and short-chain alkane oxidizing archaea. Five of these MAGs represent under-sampled (e.g., Verstraetearchaeota, Methanonatronarchaeia, ANME-1) or previously genomically undescribed (ANME-2c) archaeal lineages. The remaining five MAGs correspond to lineages that are only distantly related to previously known methanogens and span the entire archaeal phylogeny. Comprehensive comparative annotation significantly expands the metabolic diversity and energy conservation systems of MCR-bearing archaea. It also suggests the potential existence of a yet uncharacterized type of methanogenesis linked to short-chain alkane/fatty acid oxidation in a previously undescribed class of archaea (‘Ca. Methanoliparia’). We redefine a common core of marker genes specific to methanogenic, anaerobic methanotrophic and short-chain alkane-oxidizing archaea, and propose a possible scenario for the evolutionary and functional transitions that led to the emergence of such metabolic diversity.
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22
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Mahanta N, Szantai-Kis DM, Petersson EJ, Mitchell DA. Biosynthesis and Chemical Applications of Thioamides. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:142-163. [PMID: 30698414 PMCID: PMC6404778 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.8b01022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Thioamidation as a posttranslational modification is exceptionally rare, with only a few reported natural products and exactly one known protein example (methyl-coenzyme M reductase from methane-metabolizing archaea). Recently, there has been significant progress in elucidating the biosynthesis and function of several thioamide-containing natural compounds. Separate developments in the chemical installation of thioamides into peptides and proteins have enabled cell biology and biophysical studies to advance the current understanding of natural thioamides. This review highlights the various strategies used by Nature to install thioamides in peptidic scaffolds and the potential functions of this rare but important modification. We also discuss synthetic methods used for the site-selective incorporation of thioamides into polypeptides with a brief discussion of the physicochemical implications. This account will serve as a foundation for the further study of thioamides in natural products and their various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - D Miklos Szantai-Kis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine , University of Pennsylvania , 3700 Hamilton Walk , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19104 , United States
| | - E James Petersson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine , University of Pennsylvania , 3700 Hamilton Walk , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19104 , United States
- Department of Chemistry , University of Pennsylvania , 231 South 34th Street , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19104 , United States
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23
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Identification of a unique Radical SAM methyltransferase required for the sp 3-C-methylation of an arginine residue of methyl-coenzyme M reductase. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7404. [PMID: 29743535 PMCID: PMC5943407 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25716-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The biological formation of methane (methanogenesis) is a globally important process, which is exploited in biogas technology, but also contributes to global warming through the release of a potent greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. The last and methane-releasing step of methanogenesis is catalysed by the enzyme methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR), which carries several exceptional posttranslational amino acid modifications. Among these, a 5-C-(S)-methylarginine is located close to the active site of the enzyme. Here, we show that a unique Radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) methyltransferase is required for the methylation of the arginine residue. The gene encoding the methyltransferase is currently annotated as “methanogenesis marker 10” whose function was unknown until now. The deletion of the methyltransferase gene ma4551 in Methanosarcina acetivorans WWM1 leads to the production of an active MCR lacking the C-5-methylation of the respective arginine residue. The growth behaviour of the corresponding M. acetivorans mutant strain and the biophysical characterization of the isolated MCR indicate that the methylated arginine is important for MCR stability under stress conditions.
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24
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Abstract
Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) is an essential enzyme found strictly in methanogenic and methanotrophic archaea. MCR catalyzes a reversible reaction involved in the production and consumption of the potent greenhouse gas methane. The α-subunit of this enzyme (McrA) contains several unusual posttranslational modifications, including the only known naturally occurring example of protein thioamidation. We have recently demonstrated by genetic deletion and mass spectrometry that the tfuA and ycaO genes of Methanosarcina acetivorans are involved in thioamidation of Gly465 in the MCR active site. Modification to thioGly has been postulated to stabilize the active site structure of MCR. Herein, we report the in vitro reconstitution of ribosomal peptide thioamidation using heterologously expressed and purified YcaO and TfuA proteins from M. acetivorans Like other reported YcaO proteins, this reaction is ATP-dependent but requires an external sulfide source. We also reconstitute the thioamidation activity of two TfuA-independent YcaOs from the hyperthermophilic methanogenic archaea Methanopyrus kandleri and Methanocaldococcus jannaschii Using these proteins, we demonstrate the basis for substrate recognition and regioselectivity of thioamide formation based on extensive mutagenesis, biochemical, and binding studies. Finally, we report nucleotide-free and nucleotide-bound crystal structures for the YcaO proteins from M. kandleri Sequence and structure-guided mutagenesis with subsequent biochemical evaluation have allowed us to assign roles for residues involved in thioamidation and confirm that the reaction proceeds via backbone O-phosphorylation. These data assign a new biochemical reaction to the YcaO superfamily and paves the way for further characterization of additional peptide backbone posttranslational modifications.
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25
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Lin YW. Structure and function of heme proteins regulated by diverse post-translational modifications. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 641:1-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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26
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Jia X, Xi B, Li M, Liu D, Hou J, Hao Y, Meng F. Metaproteomic analysis of the relationship between microbial community phylogeny, function and metabolic activity during biohydrogen-methane coproduction under short-term hydrothermal pretreatment from food waste. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2017; 245:1030-1039. [PMID: 28946205 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.08.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Short-term hydrothermal pretreatment (SHP) is an attractive method for food waste anaerobic digestion, which facilitates the solubilisation of recalcitrant particles. This study employed metaproteomic method to evaluate the relationships among microbial community phylogeny, function, and metabolic activity during two-stage anaerobic digestion under SHP (SHPT) from food waste. The presence of 651 bacterial proteins and 477 archaeal protein has been detected by liquid chromatography online linked to mass spectrometry, revealing a high metabolic heterogeneity during SHPT. The different stages of SHPT highlighted important roles for the bacterial proteins from Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Clostridia and the archaeal proteins from Methanosarcinales. The identified proteins related to biohydrogen production come from pyruvic acid decarboxylase and formic acid decomposition pathway in carbohydrate metabolism and methanogenesis from acetate, CO2 and a methylotrophic pathway during energy metabolism. This could provide functional evidence of the metabolic activities and biogas production during SHPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Jia
- Key Laboratory of Cleaner Production and Integrated Resource Utilization of China National Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Beidou Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Mingxiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Dongming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Jiaqi Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Yan Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Fanhua Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
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27
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Müller MM. Post-Translational Modifications of Protein Backbones: Unique Functions, Mechanisms, and Challenges. Biochemistry 2017; 57:177-185. [PMID: 29064683 PMCID: PMC5770884 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Post-translational
modifications (PTMs) dramatically enhance the
capabilities of proteins. They introduce new functionalities and dynamically
control protein activity by modulating intra- and intermolecular interactions.
Traditionally, PTMs have been considered as reversible attachments
to nucleophilic functional groups on amino acid side chains, whereas
the polypeptide backbone is often thought to be inert. This paradigm
is shifting as chemically and functionally diverse alterations of
the protein backbone are discovered. Importantly, backbone PTMs can
control protein structure and function just as side chain modifications
do and operate through unique mechanisms to achieve these features.
In this Perspective, I outline the various types of protein backbone
modifications discovered so far and highlight their contributions
to biology as well as the challenges in studying this versatile yet
poorly characterized class of PTMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel M Müller
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London , 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
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28
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Nayak DD, Mahanta N, Mitchell DA, Metcalf WW. Post-translational thioamidation of methyl-coenzyme M reductase, a key enzyme in methanogenic and methanotrophic Archaea. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28880150 PMCID: PMC5589413 DOI: 10.7554/elife.29218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR), found in strictly anaerobic methanogenic and methanotrophic archaea, catalyzes the reversible production and consumption of the potent greenhouse gas methane. The α subunit of MCR (McrA) contains several unusual post-translational modifications, including a rare thioamidation of glycine. Based on the presumed function of homologous genes involved in the biosynthesis of thioviridamide, a thioamide-containing natural product, we hypothesized that the archaeal tfuA and ycaO genes would be responsible for post-translational installation of thioglycine into McrA. Mass spectrometric characterization of McrA from the methanogenic archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans lacking tfuA and/or ycaO revealed the presence of glycine, rather than thioglycine, supporting this hypothesis. Phenotypic characterization of the ∆ycaO-tfuA mutant revealed a severe growth rate defect on substrates with low free energy yields and at elevated temperatures (39°C - 45°C). Our analyses support a role for thioglycine in stabilizing the protein secondary structure near the active site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipti D Nayak
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, United States
| | - Nilkamal Mahanta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, United States
| | - Douglas A Mitchell
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, United States.,Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, United States
| | - William W Metcalf
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, United States.,Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, United States
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Jia X, Xi BD, Li MX, Yang Y, Wang Y. Metaproteomics analysis of the functional insights into microbial communities of combined hydrogen and methane production by anaerobic fermentation from reed straw. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183158. [PMID: 28817657 PMCID: PMC5560556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A metaproteomic approach was used to analyse the proteins expressed and provide functional evidence of key metabolic pathways in the combined production of hydrogen and methane by anaerobic fermentation (CHMP-AF) for reed straw utilisation. The functions and structures of bacteria and archaea populations show significant succession in the CHMP-AF process. There are many kinds of bacterial functional proteins, mainly belonging to phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes, that are involved in carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Ferredoxin-NADP reductase, present in bacteria in genus Azotobacter, is an important enzyme for NADH/NAD+ equilibrium regulation in hydrogen production. The archaeal functional proteins are mainly involved in methane metabolism in energy metabolism, such as acetyl-CoA decarboxylase, and methyl-coenzyme M reductase, and the acetic acid pathway exhibited the highest proportion of the total. The archaea of genus Methanosarcina in phylum Euryarchaeota can produce methane under the effect of multi-functional proteins through acetic acid, CO2 reduction, and methyl nutrient pathways. The study demonstrates metaproteomics as a new way of uncovering community functional and metabolic activity. The combined information was used to identify the metabolic pathways and organisms crucial for lignocellulosic biomass degradation and biogas production. This also regulates the process from its protein levels and improves the efficiency of biogas production using reed straw biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Jia
- Key Laboratory of Cleaner Production and Integrated Resource Utilization of China National Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, China
| | - Bei-Dou Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Xiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cleaner Production and Integrated Resource Utilization of China National Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, China
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Phylogenetic and Structural Comparisons of the Three Types of Methyl Coenzyme M Reductase from Methanococcales and Methanobacteriales. J Bacteriol 2017; 199:JB.00197-17. [PMID: 28559298 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00197-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The phylogenetically diverse family of methanogenic archaea universally use methyl coenzyme M reductase (MCR) for catalyzing the final methane-forming reaction step of the methanogenic energy metabolism. Some methanogens of the orders Methanobacteriales and Methanococcales contain two isoenzymes. Comprehensive phylogenetic analyses on the basis of all three subunits grouped MCRs from Methanobacteriales and Methanococcales into three distinct types: (i) MCRs from Methanobacteriales, (ii) MCRs from Methanobacteriales and Methanococcales, and (iii) MCRs from Methanococcales The first and second types contain MCR isoenzymes I and II from Methanothermobacter marburgensis, respectively; therefore, they were designated MCR type I and type II and accordingly; the third one was designated MCR type III. For comparison with the known MCR type I and type II structures, we determined the structure of MCR type III from Methanotorris formicicus and Methanothermococcus thermolithotrophicus As predicted, the three MCR types revealed highly similar overall structures and virtually identical active site architectures reflecting the chemically challenging mechanism of methane formation. Pronounced differences were found at the protein surface with respect to loop geometries and electrostatic properties, which also involve the entrance of the active-site funnel. In addition, the C-terminal end of the γ-subunit is prolonged by an extra helix after helix γ8 in MCR type II and type III, which is, however, differently arranged in the two MCR types. MCR types I, II, and III share most of the posttranslational modifications which appear to fine-tune the enzymatic catalysis. Interestingly, MCR type III lacks the methyl-cysteine but possesses in subunit α of M. formicicus a 6-hydroxy-tryptophan, which thus far has been found only in the α-amanitin toxin peptide but not in proteins.IMPORTANCE Methyl coenzyme M reductase (MCR) represents a prime target for the mitigation of methane releases. Phylogenetic analyses of MCRs suggested several distinct sequence clusters; those from Methanobacteriales and Methanococcales were subdivided into three types: MCR type I from Methanobacteriales, MCR type II from Methanobacteriales and Methanococcales, and the newly designated MCR type III exclusively from Methanococcales We determined the first X-ray structures for an MCR type III. Detailed analyses revealed substantial differences between the three types only in the peripheral region. The subtle modifications identified and electrostatic profiles suggested enhanced substrate binding for MCR type III. In addition, MCR type III from Methanotorris formicicus contains 6-hydroxy-tryptophan, a new posttranslational modification that thus far has been found only in the α-amanitin toxin.
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Bai L, Fujishiro T, Huang G, Koch J, Takabayashi A, Yokono M, Tanaka A, Xu T, Hu X, Ermler U, Shima S. Towards artificial methanogenesis: biosynthesis of the [Fe]-hydrogenase cofactor and characterization of the semi-synthetic hydrogenase. Faraday Discuss 2017; 198:37-58. [DOI: 10.1039/c6fd00209a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The greenhouse gas and energy carrier methane is produced on Earth mainly by methanogenic archaea. In the hydrogenotrophic methanogenic pathway the reduction of one CO2 to one methane molecule requires four molecules of H2 containing eight electrons. Four of the electrons from two H2 are supplied for reduction of an electron carrier F420, which is catalyzed by F420-reducing [NiFe]-hydrogenase under nickel-sufficient conditions. The same reaction is catalysed under nickel-limiting conditions by [Fe]-hydrogenase coupled with a reaction catalyzed by F420-dependent methylene tetrahydromethanopterin dehydrogenase. [Fe]-hydrogenase contains an iron-guanylylpyridinol (FeGP) cofactor for H2 activation at the active site. FeII of FeGP is coordinated to a pyridinol-nitrogen, an acyl-carbon, two CO and a cysteine-thiolate. We report here on comparative genomic analyses of biosynthetic genes of the FeGP cofactor, which are primarily located in a hmd-co-occurring (hcg) gene cluster. One of the gene products is HcgB which transfers the guanosine monophosphate (GMP) moiety from guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to a pyridinol precursor. Crystal structure analysis of HcgB from Methanococcus maripaludis and its complex with 6-carboxymethyl-3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-2-pyridinol confirmed the physiological guanylyltransferase reaction. Furthermore, we tested the properties of semi-synthetic [Fe]-hydrogenases using the [Fe]-hydrogenase apoenzyme from several methanogenic archaea and a mimic of the FeGP cofactor. On the basis of the enzymatic reactions involved in the methanogenic pathway, we came up with an idea how the methanogenic pathway could be simplified to develop an artificial methanogenesis system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Bai
- Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie
- 35043 Marburg
- Germany
| | - Takashi Fujishiro
- Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie
- 35043 Marburg
- Germany
| | - Gangfeng Huang
- Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie
- 35043 Marburg
- Germany
| | - Jürgen Koch
- Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie
- 35043 Marburg
- Germany
| | - Atsushi Takabayashi
- The Institute of Low Temperature Science
- Hokkaido University
- Sapporo 060-0819
- Japan
| | - Makio Yokono
- The Institute of Low Temperature Science
- Hokkaido University
- Sapporo 060-0819
- Japan
| | - Ayumi Tanaka
- The Institute of Low Temperature Science
- Hokkaido University
- Sapporo 060-0819
- Japan
| | - Tao Xu
- Institute of Chemical Science and Engineering
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- 1015 Lausanne
- Switzerland
| | - Xile Hu
- Institute of Chemical Science and Engineering
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- 1015 Lausanne
- Switzerland
| | - Ulrich Ermler
- Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysik
- 60438 Frankfurt/Main
- Germany
| | - Seigo Shima
- Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie
- 35043 Marburg
- Germany
- PRESTO
- Japan, Science and Technology Agency (JST)
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Shima S. Biologische Methanbildung: Bestätigung des Reaktionsmechanismus durch spektroskopische Charakterisierung eines Schlüsselintermediats. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201606269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seigo Shima
- Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie; Karl-von-Frisch Straße 10 35043 Marburg Deutschland
- CREST; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST); Saitama Japan
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Shima S. The Biological Methane-Forming Reaction: Mechanism Confirmed Through Spectroscopic Characterization of a Key Intermediate. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016; 55:13648-13649. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201606269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seigo Shima
- Max Planck Institute für terrestrische Mikrobiologie; Karl-von-Frisch Straße 10 35043 Marburg Germany
- CREST; Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST); Saitama Japan
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