Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the methane monooxygenase hydroxylase protein from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

Methanobactin and the Link between Copper and Bacterial Methane Oxidation

Methanobactins (mbs) are low-molecular-mass (<1,200 Da) copper-binding peptides, or chalkophores, produced by many methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs). These molecules exhibit similarities to certain iron-binding siderophores but are expressed and secreted in response to copper limitation. Structurally, mbs are characterized by a pair of heterocyclic rings with associated thioamide groups that form the copper coordination site. One of the rings is always an oxazolone and the second ring an oxazolone, an imidazolone, or a pyrazinedione moiety. The mb molecule originates from a peptide precursor that undergoes a series of posttranslational modifications, including (i) ring formation, (ii) cleavage of a leader peptide sequence, and (iii) in some cases, addition of a sulfate group. Functionally, mbs represent the extracellular component of a copper acquisition system. Consistent with this role in copper acquisition, mbs have a high affinity for copper ions. Following binding, mbs rapidly reduce Cu(2+) to Cu(1+). In addition to binding copper, mbs will bind most transition metals and near-transition metals and protect the host methanotroph as well as other bacteria from toxic metals. Several other physiological functions have been assigned to mbs, based primarily on their redox and metal-binding properties. In this review, we examine the current state of knowledge of this novel type of metal-binding peptide. We also explore its potential applications, how mbs may alter the bioavailability of multiple metals, and the many roles mbs may play in the physiology of methanotrophs.

The binding of nitric oxide at the Cu(i) site of copper nitrite reductase and of inorganic models: DFT calculations of the energetics and EPR parameters of side-on and end-on structures

Density functional theory calculations have been used to probe the end-on and side-on bonding motifs of nitric oxide at the Cu(i) centre in the enzyme copper nitrite reductase and in three inorganic model systems. We find that irrespective of a range of functionals used, the end-on structure is preferred by up to 40 kJ mol(-1), although this preference is smaller for the enzyme than for the inorganic model systems. We have calculated the g-tensor and atomic hyperfine coupling constants for these structures. When compared to available experimental data, for one model compound the calculated EPR parameters definitely favour an end-on structure, although this preference is somewhat less for the enzyme. Our prediction of NO end-on binding in the enzyme is at variance with structural data.

Xenon and halogenated alkanes track putative substrate binding cavities in the soluble methane monooxygenase hydroxylase

To investigate the role of protein cavities in facilitating movement of the substrates, methane and dioxygen, in the soluble methane monooxygenase hydroxylase (MMOH), we determined the X-ray structures of MMOH from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) cocrystallized with dibromomethane or iodoethane, or by using crystals pressurized with xenon gas. The halogenated alkanes bind in two cavities within the alpha-subunit that extend from one surface of the protein to the buried dinuclear iron active site. Two additional binding sites were located in the beta-subunit. Pressurization of two crystal forms of MMOH with xenon resulted in the identification of six binding sites located exclusively in the alpha-subunit. These results indicate that hydrophobic species bind preferentially in preexisting cavities in MMOH and support the hypothesis that such cavities may play a functional role in sequestering and enhancing the availability of the physiological substrates for reaction at the active site.

Crystal structure of the hydroxylase component of methane monooxygenase from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

Methane monooxygenase (MMO), found in aerobic methanotrophic bacteria, catalyzes the O2-dependent conversion of methane to methanol. The soluble form of the enzyme (sMMO) consists of three components: a reductase, a regulatory "B" component (MMOB), and a hydroxylase component (MMOH), which contains a hydroxo-bridged dinuclear iron cluster. Two genera of methanotrophs, termed Type X and Type II, which differ markedly in cellular and metabolic characteristics, are known to produce the sMMO. The structure of MMOH from the Type X methanotroph Methylococcus capsulatus Bath (MMO Bath) has been reported recently. Two different structures were found for the essential diiron cluster, depending upon the temperature at which the diffraction data were collected. In order to extend the structural studies to the Type II methanotrophs and to determine whether one of the two known MMOH structures is generally applicable to the MMOH family, we have determined the crystal structure of the MMOH from Type II Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b (MMO OB3b) in two crystal forms to 2.0 A resolution, respectively, both determined at 18 degrees C. The crystal forms differ in that MMOB was present during crystallization of the second form. Both crystal forms, however, yielded very similar results for the structure of the MMOH. Most of the major structural features of the MMOH Bath were also maintained with high fidelity. The two irons of the active site cluster of MMOH OB3b are bridged by two OH (or one OH and one H2O), as well as both carboxylate oxygens of Glu alpha 144. This bis-mu-hydroxo-bridged "diamond core" structure, with a short Fe-Fe distance of 2.99 A, is unique for the resting state of proteins containing analogous diiron clusters, and is very similar to the structure reported for the cluster from flash frozen (-160 degrees C) crystals of MMOH Bath, suggesting a common active site structure for the soluble MMOHs. The high-resolution structure of MMOH OB3b indicates 26 consecutive amino acid sequence differences in the beta chain when compared to the previously reported sequence inferred from the cloned gene. Fifteen additional sequence differences distributed randomly over the three chains were also observed, including D alpha 209E, a ligand of one of the irons.

Crystal structure of a bacterial non-haem iron hydroxylase that catalyses the biological oxidation of methane

The 2.2 A crystal structure of the 251K alpha 2 beta 2 gamma 2 dimeric hydroxylase protein of methane monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) reveals the geometry of the catalytic di-iron core. The two iron atoms are bridged by exogenous hydroxide and acetate ligands and further coordinated by four glutamate residues, two histidine residues and a water molecule. The dinuclear iron centre lies in a hydrophobic active-site cavity for binding methane. An extended canyon runs between alpha beta pairs, which have many long alpha-helices, for possible docking of the reductase and coupling proteins required for catalysis.

Abduction of iron(III) from the soluble methane monooxygenase hydroxylase and reconstitution of the binuclear site with iron and manganese

The apo-form of the soluble methane monooxygenase hydroxylase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) was prepared via chelation of iron(III) with 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. The apohydroxylase was reconstituted by the anaerobic addition of Fe(II) followed by air oxidation. The enzyme thus prepared regained 85-90% of its original catalytic activity. The incorporation of two manganese(II) ions/mol of apohydroxylase was monitored by EPR spectroscopy. The Mn(II) ions occupy the native diiron active site and remain in the +2 oxidation state. The EPR data suggest strong coupling between the two Mn(II) ions and retention of the mu-hydroxo (alkoxo) bridge. The results of this study indicate that the M. capsulatus (Bath) hydroxylase contains a single diiron site.