Characterization of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CYP154H1 from the thermophilic soil bacterium Thermobifida fusca

A chimeric membrane enzyme and an engineered whole-cell biocatalyst for efficient 1-alkene production

Bioproduction of 1-alkenes from naturally abundant free fatty acids offers a promising avenue toward the next generation of hydrocarbon-based biofuels and green commodity chemicals. UndB is the only known membrane-bound 1-alkene-producing enzyme, with great potential for 1-alkene bioproduction, but the enzyme exhibits limited turnovers, thus restricting its widespread usage. Here, we explore the molecular basis of the limitation of UndB activity and substantially improve its catalytic power. We establish that the enzyme undergoes peroxide-mediated rapid inactivation during catalysis. To counteract this inactivation, we engineered a chimeric membrane enzyme by conjugating UndB with catalase that protected UndB against peroxide and enhanced its number of turnovers tremendously. Notably, our chimeric enzyme is the only example of a membrane enzyme successfully engineered with catalase. We subsequently constructed a whole-cell biocatalytic system and achieved remarkable efficiencies (up to 95%) in the biotransformation of a wide range of fatty acids (both aliphatic and aromatic) into corresponding 1-alkenes with numerous biotechnological applications.

Synthesis of Chiral Sulfoxides by A Cyclic Oxidation-Reduction Multi-Enzymatic Cascade Biocatalysis

Optically pure sulfoxides are valuable organosulfur compounds extensively employed in medicinal and organic synthesis. In this study, we present a biocatalytic oxidation-reduction cascade system designed for the preparation of enantiopure sulfoxides. The system involves the cooperation of a low-enantioselective chimeric oxidase SMO (styrene monooxygenase) with a high-enantioselective reductase MsrA (methionine sulfoxide reductase A), facilitating "non-selective oxidation and selective reduction" cycles for prochiral sulfide oxidation. The regeneration of requisite cofactors for MsrA and SMO was achieved via a cascade catalysis process involving three auxiliary enzymes, sustained by cost-effective D-glucose. Under the optimal reaction conditions, a series of heteroaryl alkyl, aryl alkyl and dialkyl sulfoxides in R configuration were synthesized through this "one-pot, one step" cascade reaction. The obtained compounds exhibited high yields of >90 % and demonstrated enantiomeric excess (ee) values exceeding 90 %. This study represents an unconventional and efficient biocatalytic way in utilizing the low-enantioselective oxidase for the synthesis of enantiopure sulfoxides.

Regiodivergent and Enantioselective Hydroxylation of C-H bonds by Synergistic Use of Protein Engineering and Exogenous Dual-Functional Small Molecules

It is a great challenge to optionally access diverse hydroxylation products from a given substrate bearing multiple reaction sites of sp³ and sp² C-H bonds. Herein, we report the highly selective divergent hydroxylation of alkylbenzenes by an engineered P450 peroxygenase driven by a dual-functional small molecule (DFSM). Using combinations of various P450BM3 variants with DFSMs enabled access to more than half of all possible hydroxylated products from each substrate with excellent regioselectivity (up to >99 %), enantioselectivity (up to >99 % ee), and high total turnover numbers (up to 80963). Crystal structure analysis, molecular dynamic simulations, and theoretical calculations revealed that synergistic effects between exogenous DFSMs and the protein environment controlled regio- and enantioselectivity. This work has implications for exogenous-molecule-modulated enzymatic regiodivergent and enantioselective hydroxylation with potential applications in synthetic chemistry.

Stable Isotope-Guided Metabolomics Reveals Polar-Functionalized Fatty-Acylated RiPPs from Streptomyces

Ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs) with polar-functionalized fatty acyl groups are a rarely found untapped class of natural products. Although polar-functionalized fatty-acylated RiPPs (PFARs) have potential as antimicrobial agents, the repertoire is still limited. Therefore, expanding the chemical space is expected to contribute to the development of pharmaceutical agents. In this study, we performed genome mining and stable isotope-guided comparative metabolomics to discover new PFAR natural products. We focused on the feature that PFARs incorporate l-arginine or l-lysine as the starter unit of the fatty acyl group and fed ¹³C₆,¹⁵N₄-l-arginine or ¹³C₆,¹⁵N₂-l-lysine to bacterial cultures. Metabolites were extracted and compared with those extracted from nonlabeled l-arginine or l-lysine fed cultures. We identified putative PFARs and successfully isolated solabiomycin A and B from Streptomyces lydicus NBRC 13 058 and albopeptin B from Streptomyces nigrescens HEK616, which contained a sulfoxide group in the labionin moiety. The gene disruption experiment indicated that solS, which encodes a putative flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(P))-binding protein, is involved in the sulfoxidation of aryl sulfides. The solabiomycins showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv with a minimum 95% inhibitory concentration (MIC₉₅) of 3.125 μg/mL, suggesting their potential as antituberculosis agents.

Resurrection and characterization of ancestral CYP11A1 enzymes

Mitochondrial cytochromes P450 presumably originated from a common microsomal P450 ancestor. However, it is still unknown how ancient mitochondrial P450s were able to retain their oxygenase function following relocation to the mitochondrial matrix and later emerged as enzymes specialized for steroid hormone biosynthesis in vertebrates. Here, we used the approach of ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) to resurrect ancient CYP11A1 enzymes and characterize their unique biochemical properties. Two ancestral CYP11A1 variants, CYP11A_Mammal_N101 and CYP11A_N1, as well as an extant bovine form were recombinantly expressed and purified to homogeneity. All enzymes showed characteristic P450 spectral properties and were able to convert cholesterol as well as other sterol substrates to pregnenolone, yet with different specificities. The vertebrate CYP11A_N1 ancestor preferred the cholesterol precursor, desmosterol, as substrate suggesting a convergent evolution of early cholesterol metabolism and CYP11A1 enzymes. Both ancestors were able to withstand increased levels of hydrogen peroxide but only the ancestor CYP11A_N1 showed increased thermostability (~ 25 °C increase in T₅₀ ) compared with the extant CYP11A1. The extraordinary robustness of ancient mitochondrial P450s, as demonstrated for CYP11A_N1, may have allowed them to stay active when presented with poorly compatible electron transfer proteins and resulting harmful ROS in the new environment of the mitochondrial matrix. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first study that describes the resurrection of ancient mitochondrial P450 enzymes. The results will help to understand and gain fundamental functional insights into the evolutionary origins of steroid hormone biosynthesis in animals.

Microbial Enzymes Used in Bioremediation

Emerging pollutants in nature are linked to various acute and chronic detriments in biotic components and subsequently deteriorate the ecosystem with serious hazards. Conventional methods for removing pollutants are not efficient; instead, they end up with the formation of secondary pollutants. Significant destructive impacts of pollutants are perinatal disorders, mortality, respiratory disorders, allergy, cancer, cardiovascular and mental disorders, and other harmful effects. The pollutant substrate can recognize different microbial enzymes at optimum conditions (temperature/pH/contact time/concentration) to efficiently transform them into other rather unharmful products. The most representative enzymes involved in bioremediation include cytochrome P450s, laccases, hydrolases, dehalogenases, dehydrogenases, proteases, and lipases, which have shown promising potential degradation of polymers, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated compounds, dyes, detergents, agrochemical compounds, etc. Such bioremediation is favored by various mechanisms such as oxidation, reduction, elimination, and ring-opening. The significant degradation of pollutants can be upgraded utilizing genetically engineered microorganisms that produce many recombinant enzymes through eco-friendly new technology. So far, few microbial enzymes have been exploited, and vast microbial diversity is still unexplored. This review would also be useful for further research to enhance the efficiency of degradation of xenobiotic pollutants, including agrochemical, microplastic, polyhalogenated compounds, and other hydrocarbons.

A Photoclick-Based High-Throughput Screening for the Directed Evolution of Decarboxylase OleT

Enzymatic oxidative decarboxylation is an up-and-coming reaction yet lacking efficient screening methods for the directed evolution of decarboxylases. Here, we describe a simple photoclick assay for the detection of decarboxylation products and its application in a proof-of-principle directed evolution study on the decarboxylase OleT. The assay was compatible with two frequently used OleT operation modes (directly using hydrogen peroxide as the enzyme's co-substrate or using a reductase partner) and the screening of saturation mutagenesis libraries identified two enzyme variants shifting the enzyme's substrate preference from long chain fatty acids toward styrene derivatives. Overall, this photoclick assay holds promise to speed-up the directed evolution of OleT and other decarboxylases.

CYP154C5 Regioselectivity in Steroid Hydroxylation Explored by Substrate Modifications and Protein Engineering*

CYP154C5 from Nocardia farcinica is a P450 monooxygenase able to hydroxylate a range of steroids with high regio- and stereoselectivity at the 16α-position. Using protein engineering and substrate modifications based on the crystal structure of CYP154C5, an altered regioselectivity of the enzyme in steroid hydroxylation had been achieved. Thus, conversion of progesterone by mutant CYP154C5 F92A resulted in formation of the corresponding 21-hydroxylated product 11-deoxycorticosterone in addition to 16α-hydroxylation. Using MD simulation, this altered regioselectivity appeared to result from an alternative binding mode of the steroid in the active site of mutant F92A. MD simulation further suggested that the entrance of water to the active site caused higher uncoupling in this mutant. Moreover, exclusive 15α-hydroxylation was observed for wild-type CYP154C5 in the conversion of 5α-androstan-3-one, lacking an oxy-functional group at C17. Overall, our data give valuable insight into the structure-function relationship of this cytochrome P450 monooxygenase for steroid hydroxylation.

Characterization of a thermophilic cytochrome P450 of the CYP203A subfamily from Binh Chau hot spring in Vietnam

Cytochromes P450 (CYPs or P450s) comprise a superfamily of heme-containing monooxygenases that are involved in a variety of biological processes. CYPs have broad utilities in industry, but most exhibit low thermostability, limiting their use on an industrial scale. Highly thermostable enzymes can be obtained from thermophiles in geothermal areas, including hot springs, offshore oil-producing wells and volcanoes. Here, we report the identification of a gene encoding for a thermophilic CYP from the Binh Chau hot spring metagenomic database, which was designated as P450-T2. The deduced amino acid sequence showed the highest identity of 73.15% with CYP203A1 of Rhodopseudomonas palustris, supporting that P450-T2 is a member of the CYP203A subfamily. Recombinant protein expression yielded 541 nm. The optimal temperature and pH of P450-T2 were 50 °C and 8.0, respectively. The half-life of P450-T2 was 50.2 min at 50 °C, and its melting temperature was 56.80 ± 0.08 °C. It was found to accept electrons from all tested redox partners systems, with BmCPR-Fdx2 being the most effective partner. Screening for putative substrates revealed binding of phenolic compounds, such as l-mimosine and emodin, suggesting a potential application of this new thermophilic P450 in the production of the corresponding hydroxylated products.

A Novel Thermostable Cytochrome P450 from Sequence-Based Metagenomics of Binh Chau Hot Spring as a Promising Catalyst for Testosterone Conversion

Biotechnological applications of cytochromes P450 show difficulties, such as low activity, thermal and/or solvent instability, narrow substrate specificity and redox partner dependence. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, an exploitation of novel thermophilic P450 enzymes from nature via uncultured approaches is desirable due to their great advantages that can resolve nearly all mentioned impediments. From the metagenomics library of the Binh Chau hot spring, an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a thermostable cytochrome P450—designated as P450-T3—which shared 66.6% amino acid sequence identity with CYP109C2 of Sorangium cellulosum So ce56 was selected for further identification and characterization. The ORF was synthesized artificially and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli C43(DE3) using the pET17b system. The purified enzyme had a molecular weight of approximately 43 kDa. The melting temperature of the purified enzyme was 76.2 °C and its apparent half-life at 60 °C was 38.7 min. Redox partner screening revealed that P450-T3 was reduced well by the mammalian AdR-Adx4-108 and the yeast Arh1-Etp1 redox partners. Lauric acid, palmitic acid, embelin, retinoic acid (all-trans) and retinoic acid (13-cis) demonstrated binding to P450-T3. Interestingly, P450-T3 also bound and converted testosterone. Overall, P450-T3 might become a good candidate for biocatalytic applications on a larger scale.

Cytochromes P450 (P450s): A review of the class system with a focus on prokaryotic P450s

Cytochromes P450 (P450s) are a large superfamily of heme-containing monooxygenases. P450s are found in all Kingdoms of life and exhibit incredible diversity, both at sequence level and also on a biochemical basis. In the majority of cases, P450s can be assigned into one of ten classes based on their associated redox partners, domain architecture and cellular localization. Prokaryotic P450s now represent a large diverse collection of annotated/known enzymes, of which many have great potential biocatalytic potential. The self-sufficient P450 classes (Class VII/VIII) have been explored significantly over the past decade, with many annotated and biochemically characterized members. It is clear that the prokaryotic P450 world is expanding rapidly, as the number of published genomes and metagenome studies increases, and more P450 families are identified and annotated (CYP families).

Whole-cell cascade for the preparation of enantiopure β-O-4 aryl ether compounds with glutathione recycling

Bacterial β-etherases and glutathione lyases are glutathione-dependent enzymes that catalyze the selective cleavage of β-O-4 aryl ether bonds found in lignin. Their glutathione (GSH) dependence is regarded as major limitation for their application in the production of aromatics from lignin polymer and oligomers, as stoichiometric glutathione amounts are required. Thus, recycling of the GSH cofactor by a NAD(P)H-dependent glutathione reductase was proposed previously. Herein, the use of a whole-cell catalyst was studied for efficient β-O-4 aryl ether bond cleavage with intracellular GSH supply and recycling. After optimization of the whole-cell catalyst as well as reaction conditions, up to 5 mM lignin model substrate 2,6-methoxyphenoxy-α-veratrylglycerone (2,6-MP-VG) were efficiently converted into 2,6-methoxyphenol (2,6-MP) and veratryl glycerone (VG) without addition of external GSH. Unexpectedly, no glucose supply was required for glutathione recycling within the cells up to this substrate concentration. To demonstrate the applicability of this whole-cell approach, a whole-cell cascade combining a stereoselective β-etherase (either LigE from Sphingobium sp. SYK-6 or LigF-NA from Novosphingobium aromaticivorans) and a glutathione lyase (LigG-TD from Thiobacillus denitrificans) was employed in the kinetic resolution of racemic 2,6-MP-VG. This way, enantiopure (S)- and (R)-2,6-MP-VG were obtained on semi-preparative scale without the need for external GSH supply.

Mechanistic Studies of Fatty Acid Activation by CYP152 Peroxygenases Reveal Unexpected Desaturase Activity

The majority of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) predominantly operate as monooxygenases, but recently a class of P450 enzymes was discovered, that can act as peroxygenases (CYP152). These enzymes convert fatty acids through oxidative decarboxylation, yielding terminal alkenes, and through α- and β-hydroxylation to yield hydroxy-fatty acids. Bioderived olefins may serve as biofuels, and hence understanding the mechanism and substrate scope of this class of enzymes is important. In this work, we report on the substrate scope and catalytic promiscuity of CYP OleT_JE and two of its orthologues from the CYP152 family, utilizing α-monosubstituted branched carboxylic acids. We identify α,β-desaturation as an unexpected dominant pathway for CYP OleT_JE with 2-methylbutyric acid. To rationalize product distributions arising from α/β-hydroxylation, oxidative decarboxylation, and desaturation depending on the substrate’s structure and binding pattern, a computational study was performed based on an active site complex of CYP OleT_JE containing the heme cofactor in the substrate binding pocket and 2-methylbutyric acid as substrate. It is shown that substrate positioning determines the accessibility of the oxidizing species (Compound I) to the substrate and hence the regio- and chemoselectivity of the reaction. Furthermore, the results show that, for 2-methylbutyric acid, α,β-desaturation is favorable because of a rate-determining α-hydrogen atom abstraction, which cannot proceed to decarboxylation. Moreover, substrate hydroxylation is energetically impeded due to the tight shape and size of the substrate binding pocket.

Biochemical Characterization of the Cytochrome P450 CYP107CB2 from Bacillus lehensis G1

The bioconversion of vitamin D3 catalyzed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) requires 25-hydroxylation and subsequent 1α-hydroxylation to produce the hormonal activated 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase catalyses the first step in the vitamin D3 biosynthetic pathway, essential in the de novo activation of vitamin D3. A CYP known as CYP107CB2 has been identified as a novel vitamin D hydroxylase in Bacillus lehensis G1. In order to deepen the understanding of this bacterial origin CYP107CB2, its detailed biological functions as well as biochemical characteristics were defined. CYP107CB2 was characterized through the absorption spectral analysis and accordingly, the enzyme was assayed for vitamin D3 hydroxylation activity. CYP-ligand characterization and catalysis optimization were conducted to increase the turnover of hydroxylated products in an NADPH-regenerating system. Results revealed that the over-expressed CYP107CB2 protein was dominantly cytosolic and the purified fraction showed a protein band at approximately 62 kDa on SDS-PAGE, indicative of CYP107CB2. Spectral analysis indicated that CYP107CB2 protein was properly folded and it was in the active form to catalyze vitamin D3 reaction at C25. HPLC and MS analysis from a reconstituted enzymatic reaction confirmed the hydroxylated products were 25-hydroxyitamin D3 and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 when the substrates vitamin D3 and 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 were used. Biochemical characterization shows that CYP107CB2 performed hydroxylation activity at 25 °C in pH 8 and successfully increased the production of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 up to four fold. These findings show that CYP107CB2 has a biologically relevant vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase activity and further suggest the contribution of CYP family to the metabolism of vitamin D3.

Characterization of CYP154F1 from Thermobifida fusca YX and Extension of Its Substrate Spectrum by Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Previous studies on cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP) from family 154 reported their substrate promiscuity and high activity. Hence, herein, the uncharacterized family member CYP154F1 is described. Screening of more than 100 organic compounds revealed that CYP154F1 preferably accepts small linear molecules with a carbon chain length of 8-10 atoms. In contrast to thoroughly characterized CYP154E1, CYP154F1 has a much narrower substrate spectrum and lower activity. A structural alignment of homology models of CYP154F1 and CYP154E1 revealed few differences in the active sites of both family members. By gradual mutagenesis of the CYP154F1 active site towards those of CYP154E1, a key residue accounting for the different activities of both enzymes was identified at position 234. Substitution of T234 for large hydrophobic amino acids led to up to tenfold higher conversion rates of small substrates, such as geraniol. Replacement of T234 by small hydrophobic amino acids, valine or alanine, resulted in mutants with extended substrate spectra. These mutants are able to convert some of the larger substrates of CYP154E1, such as (E)-stilbene and (+)-nootkatone.

Determinants of thermostability in the cytochrome P450 fold

Cytochromes P450 are found throughout the biosphere in a wide range of environments, serving a multitude of physiological functions. The ubiquity of the P450 fold suggests that it has been co-opted by evolution many times, and likely presents a useful compromise between structural stability and conformational flexibility. The diversity of substrates metabolized and reactions catalyzed by P450s makes them attractive starting materials for use as biocatalysts of commercially useful reactions. However, process conditions impose different requirements on enzymes to those in which they have evolved naturally. Most natural environments are relatively mild, and therefore most P450s have not been selected in Nature for the ability to withstand temperatures above ~40°C, yet industrial processes frequently require extended incubations at much higher temperatures. Thus, there has been considerable interest and effort invested in finding or engineering thermostable P450 systems. Numerous P450s have now been identified in thermophilic organisms and analysis of their structures provides information as to mechanisms by which the P450 fold can be stabilized. In addition, protein engineering, particularly by directed or artificial evolution, has revealed mutations that serve to stabilize particular mesophilic enzymes of interest. Here we review the current understanding of thermostability as it applies to the P450 fold, gleaned from the analysis of P450s characterized from thermophilic organisms and the parallel engineering of mesophilic forms for greater thermostability. We then present a perspective on how this information might be used to design stable P450 enzymes for industrial application. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cytochrome P450 biodiversity and biotechnology, edited by Erika Plettner, Gianfranco Gilardi, Luet Wong, Vlada Urlacher, Jared Goldstone.

Exploring substrate scope and stereoselectivity of P450 peroxygenase OleTJEin olefin-forming oxidative decarboxylation

The substrate scope of the mild olefin-forming oxidative decarboxylation of straight-chain C₄–C₂₂carboxylic acids catalyzed by P450 peroxygenase OleT_JEhas been extended to include structurally diverse carboxylic acids.

Thermophilic and alkaliphilic Actinobacteria: biology and potential applications

Microbes belonging to the phylum Actinobacteria are prolific sources of antibiotics, clinically useful bioactive compounds and industrially important enzymes. The focus of the current review is on the diversity and potential applications of thermophilic and alkaliphilic actinobacteria, which are highly diverse in their taxonomy and morphology with a variety of adaptations for surviving and thriving in hostile environments. The specific metabolic pathways in these actinobacteria are activated for elaborating pharmaceutically, agriculturally, and biotechnologically relevant biomolecules/bioactive compounds, which find multifarious applications.

Oxidative Decarboxylation of Short-Chain Fatty Acids to 1-Alkenes

The enzymatic oxidative decarboxylation of linear short-chain fatty acids (C4:0-C9:0) employing the P450 monooxygenase OleT, O2 as the oxidant, and NAD(P)H as the electron donor gave the corresponding terminal C3 to C8  alkenes with product titers of up to 0.93 g L(-1) and TTNs of >2000. Key to this process was the construction of an efficient electron-transfer chain employing putidaredoxin CamAB in combination with NAD(P)H recycling at the expense of glucose, formate, or phosphite. This system allows for the biocatalytic production of industrially important 1-alkenes, such as propene and 1-octene, from renewable resources for the first time.

Molecular characterization, modeling and docking of CYP107CB2 from Bacillus lehensis G1, an alkaliphile

Cytochrome P450s are a superfamily of heme monooxygenases which catalyze a wide range of biochemical reactions. The reactions involve the introduction of an oxygen atom into an inactivated carbon of a compound which is essential to produce an intermediate of a hydroxylated product. The diversity of chemical reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P450s has led to their increased demand in numerous industrial and biotechnology applications. A recent study showed that a gene sequence encoding a CYP was found in the genome of Bacillus lehensis G1, and this gene shared structural similarity with the bacterial vitamin D hydroxylase (Vdh) from Pseudonocardia autotrophica. The objectives of present study was to mine, for a novel CYP from a new isolate B. lehensis G1 alkaliphile and determine the biological properties and functionalities of CYP in this bacterium. Our study employed the usage of computational methods to search for the novel CYP from CYP structural databases to identify the conserved pattern, functional domain and sequence properties of the uncharacterized CYP from B. lehensis G1. A computational homology model of the protein's structure was generated and a docking analysis was performed to provide useful structural knowledge on the enzyme's possible substrate and their interaction. Sequence analysis indicated that the newly identified CYP, termed CYP107CB2, contained the fingerprint heme binding sequence motif FxxGxxxCxG at position 336-345 as well as other highly conserved motifs characteristic of cytochrome P450 proteins. Using docking studies, we identified Ser-79, Leu-81, Val-231, Val-279, Val-383, Ala-232, Thr-236 and Thr-283 as important active site residues capable of stabilizing interactions with several potential substrates, including vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3, in which all substrates docked proximally to the enzyme's heme center. Biochemical analysis indicated that CYP107CB2 is a biologically active protein to produce 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 from 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3. Based on these results, we conclude that the novel CYP107CB2 identified from B. lehensis G1 is a putative vitamin D hydroxylase which is possibly capable of catalyzing the bioconversion of parental vitamin D3 to calcitriol, or related metabolic products.

Enzyme-substrate complex structures of CYP154C5 shed light on its mode of highly selective steroid hydroxylation

CYP154C5 from Nocardia farcinica is a bacterial cytochrome P450 monooxygenase active on steroid molecules. The enzyme has recently been shown to exhibit exclusive regioselectivity and stereoselectivity in the conversion of various pregnans and androstans, yielding 16α-hydroxylated steroid products. This makes the enzyme an attractive candidate for industrial application in steroid hormone synthesis. Here, crystal structures of CYP154C5 in complex with four different steroid molecules were solved at resolutions of up to 1.9 Å. These are the first reported P450 structures from the CYP154 family in complex with a substrate. The active site of CYP154C5 forms a flattened hydrophobic channel with two opposing polar regions, perfectly resembling the size and polarity distribution of the steroids and thus resulting in highly specific steroid binding with Kd values in the range 10-100 nM. Key enzyme-substrate interactions were identified that accounted for the exclusive regioselectivity and stereoselectivity of the enzyme. Additionally, comparison of the four CYP154C5-steroid structures revealed distinct structural differences, explaining the observed variations in kinetic data obtained for this P450 with the steroids pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and nandrolone. This will facilitate the generation of variants with improved activity or altered selectivity in the future by means of protein engineering.

A Pseudomonas putida strain genetically engineered for 1,2,3-trichloropropane bioremediation

1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP) is a toxic compound that is recalcitrant to biodegradation in the environment. Attempts to isolate TCP-degrading organisms using enrichment cultivation have failed. A potential biodegradation pathway starts with hydrolytic dehalogenation to 2,3-dichloro-1-propanol (DCP), followed by oxidative metabolism. To obtain a practically applicable TCP-degrading organism, we introduced an engineered haloalkane dehalogenase with improved TCP degradation activity into the DCP-degrading bacterium Pseudomonas putida MC4. For this purpose, the dehalogenase gene (dhaA31) was cloned behind the constitutive dhlA promoter and was introduced into the genome of strain MC4 using a transposon delivery system. The transposon-located antibiotic resistance marker was subsequently removed using a resolvase step. Growth of the resulting engineered bacterium, P. putida MC4-5222, on TCP was indeed observed, and all organic chlorine was released as chloride. A packed-bed reactor with immobilized cells of strain MC4-5222 degraded >95% of influent TCP (0.33 mM) under continuous-flow conditions, with stoichiometric release of inorganic chloride. The results demonstrate the successful use of a laboratory-evolved dehalogenase and genetic engineering to produce an effective, plasmid-free, and stable whole-cell biocatalyst for the aerobic bioremediation of a recalcitrant chlorinated hydrocarbon.

Biotechnological production of chiral organic sulfoxides: current state and perspectives

Chiral organic sulfoxides (COSs) are important compounds that act as chiral auxiliaries in numerous asymmetric reactions and as intermediates in chiral drug synthesis. In addition to their optical resolution, stereoselective oxidation of sulfides can be used for COS production. This reaction is facilitated by oxygenases and peroxidases from various microbial resources. To meet the current demand for esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor used in the treatment of gastric-acid-related disorders, and the (S)-isomer of an organic sulfoxide compound, omeprazole, a successful biotechnological production method using a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO), was developed. In this review, we summarize the recent advancements in COS production using biocatalysts, including enzyme identification, protein engineering, and process development.

Enantioselective imidation of sulfides via enzyme-catalyzed intermolecular nitrogen-atom transfer

Engineering enzymes with novel reaction modes promises to expand the applications of biocatalysis in chemical synthesis and will enhance our understanding of how enzymes acquire new functions. The insertion of nitrogen-containing functional groups into unactivated C–H bonds is not catalyzed by known enzymes but was recently demonstrated using engineered variants of cytochrome P450_BM3 (CYP102A1) from Bacillus megaterium. Here, we extend this novel P450-catalyzed reaction to include intermolecular insertion of nitrogen into thioethers to form sulfimides. An examination of the reactivity of different P450_BM3 variants toward a range of substrates demonstrates that electronic properties of the substrates are important in this novel enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Moreover, amino acid substitutions have a large effect on the rate and stereoselectivity of sulfimidation, demonstrating that the protein plays a key role in determining reactivity and selectivity. These results provide a stepping stone for engineering more complex nitrogen-atom-transfer reactions in P450 enzymes and developing a more comprehensive biocatalytic repertoire.

Regio- and stereospecific hydroxylation of various steroids at the 16α position of the D ring by the Streptomyces griseus cytochrome P450 CYP154C3

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), which constitute a superfamily of heme-containing proteins, catalyze the direct oxidation of a variety of compounds in a regio- and stereospecific manner; therefore, they are promising catalysts for use in the oxyfunctionalization of chemicals. In the course of our comprehensive substrate screening for all 27 putative P450s encoded by the Streptomyces griseus genome, we found that Escherichia coli cells producing an S. griseus P450 (CYP154C3), which was fused C terminally with the P450 reductase domain (RED) of a self-sufficient P450 from Rhodococcus sp., could transform various steroids (testosterone, progesterone, Δ(4)-androstene-3,17-dione, adrenosterone, 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione, dehydroepiandrosterone, 4-pregnane-3,11,20-trione, and deoxycorticosterone) into their 16α-hydroxy derivatives as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometry analyses. The purified CYP154C3, which was not fused with RED, also catalyzed the regio- and stereospecific hydroxylation of these steroids at the same position with the aid of ferredoxin and ferredoxin reductase from spinach. The apparent equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) values of the binding between CYP154C3 and these steroids were less than 8 μM as determined by the heme spectral change, indicating that CYP154C3 strongly binds to these steroids. Furthermore, kinetic parameters of the CYP154C3-catalyzed hydroxylation of Δ(4)-androstene-3,17-dione were determined (Km, 31.9 ± 9.1 μM; kcat, 181 ± 4.5 s(-1)). We concluded that CYP154C3 is a steroid D-ring 16α-specific hydroxylase which has considerable potential for industrial applications. This is the first detailed enzymatic characterization of a P450 enzyme that has a steroid D-ring 16α-specific hydroxylation activity.

Selective steroid oxyfunctionalisation by CYP154C5, a bacterial cytochrome P450

Background

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases – able to regio- and stereoselectively hydroxylate non-activated carbon atoms – are important enzymes for the synthesis of valuable intermediates in the production of steroid hormones in the pharmaceutical industry. However, up to now only a few bacterial enzymes able to hydroxylate steroids have been reported. CYP154C5 from Nocardia farcinica IFM 10152, a bacterial P450 monooxygenase, was previously shown to convert testosterone to 16α-hydroxytestosterone. Since the hydroxylation at 16α-position is of special interest for the pharmaceutical industry, we have studied this enzyme in more detail to investigate its activity and selectivity in bioconversions of further steroids.

Results

CYP154C5 was coexpressed in Escherichia coli together with putidaredoxin and putidaredoxin reductase from Pseudomonas putida as redox partners for electron transfer and applied in bioconversions of various pregnanes and androstanes [pregnenolone (1), dehydroepiandrosterone (2), progesterone (3), androstenedione (4), testosterone (5) and nandrolone (6)]. Structure elucidation of the formed products revealed an exclusive regio- and stereoselectivity of CYP154C5, always yielding the corresponding 16α-hydroxylated steroids. Application of whole cells expressing the three components, P450, Pdx and PdR, in steroid biotransformations resulted in significantly higher conversions and total turnover numbers (TTN) compared to reactions using cell-free extracts. Additionally, considerably higher substrate loads (up to 15 mM) were tolerated by the whole-cell system. Furthermore, turnover numbers (TON) were determined for the six different steroids using whole cells. Thus, testosterone was found to be the worst substrate with a TON of only 0.8 μmol substrate consumed min^-1 μmol^-1 CYP154C5, while progesterone and pregnenolone were converted the fastest resulting in TON of 3.3 μmol substrate consumed min^-1 μmol^-1 CYP154C5.

Conclusion

CYP154C5 from N. farcinica constitutes a promising catalyst due to its high regio- and stereoselectivity in the hydroxylation of different steroids as well as its efficient expression in E. coli at high yields. Using this enzyme, 16α-hydroxylated steroids, which are important precursors for the synthesis of high value steroidal drugs in the pharmaceutical industry, can be selectively produced on preparative scale with TTN (μmol substrate consumed μmol^-1 CYP154C5) exceeding 2000.

Identification and functional analysis of cytochrome P450 complement in Streptomyces virginiae IBL14

BACKGROUND

As well known, both natural and synthetic steroidal compounds are powerful endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) which can cause reproductive toxicity and affect cellular development in mammals and thus are generally regarded as serious contributors to water pollution. Streptomyces virginiae IBL14 is an effective degradative strain for many steroidal compounds and can also catalyze the C25 hydroxylation of diosgenin, the first-ever biotransformation found on the F-ring of diosgenin.

RESULTS

To completely elucidate the hydroxylation function of cytochrome P450 genes (CYPs) found during biotransformation of steroids by S. virginiae IBL14, the whole genome sequencing of this strain was carried out via 454 Sequencing Systems. The analytical results of BLASTP showed that the strain IBL14 contains 33 CYPs, 7 ferredoxins and 3 ferredoxin reductases in its 8.0 Mb linear chromosome. CYPs from S. virginiae IBL14 are phylogenetically closed to those of Streptomyces sp. Mg1 and Streptomyces sp. C. One new subfamily was found as per the fact that the CYP Svu001 in S. virginiae IBL14 shares 66% identity only to that (ZP_05001937, protein identifer) from Streptomyces sp. Mg1. Further analysis showed that among all of the 33 CYPs in S. virginiae IBL14, three CYPs are clustered with ferredoxins, one with ferredoxin and ferredoxin reductase and three CYPs with ATP/GTP binding proteins, four CYPs arranged with transcriptional regulatory genes and one CYP located on the upstream of an ATP-binding protein and transcriptional regulators as well as four CYPs associated with other functional genes involved in secondary metabolism and degradation.

CONCLUSIONS

These characteristics found in CYPs from S. virginiae IBL14 show that the EXXR motif in the K-helix is not absolutely conserved in CYP157 family and I-helix not absolutely essential for the CYP structure, too. Experimental results showed that both CYP Svh01 and CYP Svu022 are two hydroxylases, capable of bioconverting diosgenone into isonuatigenone and β-estradiol into estriol, respectively.

Regio- and stereoselectivity of P450-catalysed hydroxylation of steroids controlled by laboratory evolution

A current challenge in synthetic organic chemistry is the development of methods that allow the regio- and stereoselective oxidative C-H activation of natural or synthetic compounds with formation of the corresponding alcohols. Cytochrome P450 enzymes enable C-H activation at non-activated positions, but the simultaneous control of both regio- and stereoselectivity is problematic. Here, we demonstrate that directed evolution using iterative saturation mutagenesis provides a means to solve synthetic problems of this kind. Using P450 BM3(F87A) as the starting enzyme and testosterone as the substrate, which results in a 1:1 mixture of the 2β- and 15β-alcohols, mutants were obtained that are 96-97% selective for either of the two regioisomers, each with complete diastereoselectivity. The mutants can be used for selective oxidative hydroxylation of other steroids without performing additional mutagenesis experiments. Molecular dynamics simulations and docking experiments shed light on the origin of regio- and stereoselectivity.

Expression of CYP107Z13 in Streptomyces lividans TK54 catalyzes the oxidation of avermectin to 4″-oxo-avermectin

Streptomyces ahygroscopicus ZB01 has strong catalytic activity for the regiospecific oxidation of 4″-OH of avermectin to form 4″-oxo-avermectin. A cytochrome P450 gene from S. ahygroscopicus ZB01, cyp107z13, was cloned into pKC1139 to generate pKCZ1 and was transformed into Streptomyces lividans TK54, which does not have the ability to catalyze the conversion of avermectin. CYP107Z13, under the control of an ermE* promoter, was actively expressed in the TK54 recombinant strain as determined by a reduced CO difference spectrum analysis of the crude protein. Analysis of whole-cell biocatalytic activity by high-performance liquid chromatography revealed the recombinant to be able to oxidize avermectin regiospecifically to 4″-oxo-avermectin and CYP107Z13 to be a regioselective oxidase of avermectin. In addition, the whole-cell reaction conditions of the recombinant were optimized. Growth on medium ISP-2 at pH 6 was more conducive for the expression of CYP107Z13 than on medium PYG1 or at pH 7, and active cells of the recombinant strain had higher biocatalytic activity than resting cells.