Iron requirement for the hydrogenase of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans

The structure and mechanism of iron-hydrogenases

Hydrogenases devoid of nickel and containing only Fe-S clusters have been found so far only in some strictly anaerobic bacteria. Four Fe-hydrogenases have been characterized: from Megasphaera elsdenii, Desulfovibrio vulgaris (strain Hildenborough), and two from Clostridium pasteurianum. All contain two or more [4Fe-4S]1+,2+ or F clusters and a unique type of Fe-S center termed the H cluster. The H cluster appears to be remarkably similar in all the hydrogenases, and is proposed as the site of H2 oxidation and H2 production. The F clusters serve to transfer electrons between the H cluster and the external electron carrier. In all of the hydrogenases the H cluster is comprised of at least three Fe atoms, and possibly six. In the oxidized state it contains two types of magnetically distinct Fe atoms, has an S = 1/2 spin state, and exhibits a novel rhombic EPR signal. The reduced cluster is diamagnetic (S = 0). The oxidized H cluster appears to undergo a conformation change upon reduction with H2 with an increase in Fe-Fe distances of about 0.5 A. Studies using resonance Raman, magnetic circular dichroism and electron spin echo spectroscopies suggest that the H cluster has significant non-sulfur coordination. The H cluster has two binding sites for CO, at least one of which can also bind O2. Binding to one site changes the EPR properties of the cluster and gives a photosensitive adduct, but does not affect catalytic activity. Binding to the other site, which only becomes exposed during the catalytic cycle, leads to loss of catalytic activity. Mechanisms of H2 activation and electron transfer are proposed to explain the effects of CO binding and the ability of one of the hydrogenases to preferentially catalyze H2 oxidation.

Purification and properties of soluble hydrogenase from Alcaligenes eutrophus H 16

The soluble hydrogenase (hydrogen: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.12.1.2) from Alcaligenes eutrophus H 16 was purified 68-fold with a yield of 20% and a final specific activity (NAD reduction) of about 54 mumol H2 oxidized/min per mg protein. The enzyme was shown to be homogenous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its molecular weight and isoelectric point were determined to be 205 000 and 4.85 respectively. The oxidized hydrogenase, as purified under aerobic conditions, was of high stability but not reactive. Reductive activation of the enzyme by H2, in the presence of catalytic amounts of NADH, or by reducing agents caused the hydrogenase to become unstable. The purified enzyme, in its active state, was able to reduce NAD, FMN, FAD, menaquinone, ubiquinone, cytochrome c, methylene blue, methyl viologen, benzyl viologen, phenazine methosulfate, janus green, 2,6-dichlorophenoloindophenol, ferricyanide and even oxygen. In addition to hydrogenase activitiy, the enzyme exhibited also diaphorase and NAD(P)H oxidase activity. The reversibility of hydrogenase function (i.e. H2 evolution from NADH, methyl viologen and benzyl viologen) was demonstrated. With respect to H2 as substrate, hydrogenase showed negative cooperativity; the Hill coefficient was n = 0.4. The apparent Km value for H2 was found to be 0.037 mM. The absorption spectrum of hydrogenase was typical for non-heme iron proteins, showing maxima (shoulders) at 380 and 420 nm. A flavin component could be extracted from native hydrogenase characterized by its absorption bands at 375 and 447 nm and a strong fluorescense at 526 nm.

Purification and properties of a hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris

The soluble hydrogenase of Desulfovibrio vulgaris was purified and some of its properties are described. The molecular weight was determined for the enzyme by sedimentation equilibrium (45,400) and amino acid analysis (44,800). The hydrogenase appears to be a loosely coiled molecule or to have a high axial ratio, which is reflected in an unusually low sedimentation coefficient (2.58S) and a low diffusion coefficient (D 5.85). The molecular weight of the hydrogenase (41,000), as calculated by the Svedberg equation, was in general agreement with the sedimentation equilibrium molecular weight. Amino acid analysis revealed the presence of six halfcystine residues per mole of enzyme and a total of 417 amino acid residues. The specificity of the hydrogenase and its capacity to reduce certain low potential dyes and cytochrome c(3) was studied. Metal analysis of the hydrogenase indicated the presence of 1 mole of ferrous iron per mole of enzyme.

Proteinase enzyme system of lactic streptococci. II. Role of membrane proteinase in cellular function

The effect of several environmental conditions on the structure and activity of a membrane-associated proteinase from Streptococcus lactis was investigated. The activity of the enzyme varied with pH. Before storage at 3 C, maximal activity occurred at pH 6.0, but was minimal at this pH after storage. At all pH values tested, the enzyme was inactivated after storage. After storage at 3 C, the enzyme showed gross structural alterations with a concomitant loss of activity. Gel filtration and sedimentation velocity data indicated that inactivation of the enzyme was the result of aggregation to higher molecular weight forms. p-Hydroxymercuribenzoate prevented inactivation of the enzyme during storage by preventing aggregation. Activity was correlated with disaggregation of polymer forms of the enzyme to an active monomer. The storage-inactivated enzyme could be reactivated by treatment of the enzyme with cysteine, glutathione, or ferrous ion. Glutathione enabled stored cells to produce acid at their original rate when subcultured in milk. This was attributed to the effect of glutathione on the membrane proteinase. The data suggested that the biological activity of stored cells may be dependent upon the activity of the membrane proteinase.

Proteinase enzyme system of lactic streptococci. I. Isolation and partial characterization

Proteinase activity of Streptococcus lactis cells was maximal at pH 6.0, but after storage at 3 C the minimal activity was observed at this pH. Activity lost as a result of storage could be restored by adding glutathione. Whole cells were fractionated into soluble (intracellular) and particulate fractions by sonic disruption; both fractions contained enzymatic activity. Activity of the soluble (intracellular) fraction was found to be stable to storage at 3 C, but was inhibited progressively with increasing concentrations of p-hydroxymercuribenzoate (PHMB). The enzymatic activity of this fraction was not activated by ferrous or magnesium ions or by cysteine. In contrast, activity of the particulate fraction was labile to storage at 3 C, and the reduction was comparable to that of stored cells. Furthermore, proteinase activity in the cells and the particulate fraction was not affected by addition of PHMB. The particulate fraction was activated by ferrous and magnesium ions and by cysteine. After storage, only ferrous ion and cysteine promoted reactivation; magnesium ion was totally ineffective. The enzyme(s) contained in the particulate fraction may be involved in decreased proteinase activity observed in whole cells and in the effect on growth of cells after storage.