The interaction of methanol dehydrogenase and its electron acceptor, cytochrome cL in methylotrophic bacteria

Assessing Lanthanide-Dependent Methanol Dehydrogenase Activity: The Assay Matters

Artificial dye-coupled assays have been widely adopted as a rapid and convenient method to assess the activity of methanol dehydrogenases (MDH). Lanthanide(Ln)-dependent XoxF-MDHs are able to incorporate different lanthanides (Lns) in their active site. Dye-coupled assays showed that the earlier Lns exhibit a higher enzyme activity than the late Lns. Despite widespread use, there are limitations: oftentimes a pH of 9 and activators are required for the assay. Moreover, Ln-MDH variants are not obtained by isolation from the cells grown with the respective Ln, but by incubation of an apo-MDH with the Ln. Herein, we report the cultivation of Ln-dependent methanotroph Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV with nine different Lns, the isolation of the respective MDHs and the assessment of the enzyme activity using the dye-coupled assay. We compare these results with a protein-coupled assay using its physiological electron acceptor cytochrome cGJ (cyt cGJ ). Depending on the assay, two distinct trends are observed among the Ln series. The specific enzyme activity of La-, Ce- and Pr-MDH, as measured by the protein-coupled assay, exceeds that measured by the dye-coupled assay. This suggests that early Lns also have a positive effect on the interaction between XoxF-MDH and its cyt cGJ thereby increasing functional efficiency.

Enzymes, In Vivo Biocatalysis, and Metabolic Engineering for Enabling a Circular Economy and Sustainability

Since the industrial revolution, the rapid growth and development of global industries have depended largely upon the utilization of coal-derived chemicals, and more recently, the utilization of petroleum-based chemicals. These developments have followed a linear economy model (produce, consume, and dispose). As the world is facing a serious threat from the climate change crisis, a more sustainable solution for manufacturing, i.e., circular economy in which waste from the same or different industries can be used as feedstocks or resources for production offers an attractive industrial/business model. In nature, biological systems, i.e., microorganisms routinely use their enzymes and metabolic pathways to convert organic and inorganic wastes to synthesize biochemicals and energy required for their growth. Therefore, an understanding of how selected enzymes convert biobased feedstocks into special (bio)chemicals serves as an important basis from which to build on for applications in biocatalysis, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology to enable biobased processes that are greener and cleaner for the environment. This review article highlights the current state of knowledge regarding the enzymatic reactions used in converting biobased wastes (lignocellulosic biomass, sugar, phenolic acid, triglyceride, fatty acid, and glycerol) and greenhouse gases (CO₂ and CH₄) into value-added products and discusses the current progress made in their metabolic engineering. The commercial aspects and life cycle assessment of products from enzymatic and metabolic engineering are also discussed. Continued development in the field of metabolic engineering would offer diversified solutions which are sustainable and renewable for manufacturing valuable chemicals.

Switching Between Methanol Accumulation and Cell Growth by Expression Control of Methanol Dehydrogenase in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b Mutant

Methanotrophs have been used to convert methane to methanol at ambient temperature and pressure. In order to accumulate methanol using methanotrophs, methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) must be downregulated as it consumes methanol. Here, we describe a methanol production system wherein MDH expression is controlled by using methanotroph mutants. We used the MxaF knockout mutant of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. It could only grow with MDH (XoxF) which has a cerium ion in its active site and is only expressed by bacteria in media containing cerium ions. In the presence of 0 μM copper ion and 25 μM cerium ion, the mutant grew normally. Under conditions conducive to methanol production (10 μM copper ion and 0 μM cerium ion), cell growth was inhibited and methanol accumulated (2.6 μmol·mg⁻¹ dry cell weight·h⁻¹). The conversion efficiency of the accumulated methanol to the total amount of methane added to the reaction system was ~0.3%. The aforementioned conditions were repeatedly alternated by modulating the metal ion composition of the bacterial growth medium.

Heterologous expression, purification, and characterization of proteins in the lanthanome

Recent work has revealed that certain lanthanides-in particular, the more earth-abundant, lighter lanthanides-play essential roles in pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) dependent alcohol dehydrogenases from methylotrophic and non-methylotrophic bacteria. More recently, efforts of several laboratories have begun to identify the molecular players (the lanthanome) involved in selective uptake, recognition, and utilization of lanthanides within the cell. In this chapter, we present protocols for the heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, purification, and characterization of many of the currently known proteins that comprise the lanthanome of the model facultative methylotroph, Methylorubrum extorquens AM1. In addition to the methanol dehydrogenase XoxF, these proteins include the associated c-type cytochrome, XoxG, and solute binding protein, XoxJ. We also present new, streamlined protocols for purification of the highly selective lanthanide-binding protein, lanmodulin, and a solute binding protein for PQQ, PqqT. Finally, we discuss simple, spectroscopic methods for determining lanthanide- and PQQ-binding stoichiometry of proteins. We envision that these protocols will be useful to investigators identifying and characterizing novel members of the lanthanome in many organisms.

Activity assays of methanol dehydrogenases

The field of methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) has experienced revival in the recent decade due to the observation of lanthanide-dependent MDH, in addition to widely known calcium-MDH. With the advent of lanthanide-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases, the need for reliable assays to evaluate and compare activities between different MDHs is obvious: from extremophilic to neutrophilic organisms, or with different lanthanide ions in the active site. Here we outline four assays that have been reported for Ln-MDH, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the assays and their components. It should be noted, in 1990Day and Anthony produced a comprehensive summary in Methods in Enzymology on the available methods for Ca-MDH assays at the time (Day & Anthony, 1990). This chapter is an updated appraisal of the most important developments in the last 30years.

Understanding the chemistry of the artificial electron acceptors PES, PMS, DCPIP and Wurster's Blue in methanol dehydrogenase assays

Methanol dehydrogenases (MDH) have recently taken the spotlight with the discovery that a large portion of these enzymes in nature utilize lanthanides in their active sites. The kinetic parameters of these enzymes are determined with a spectrophotometric assay first described by Anthony and Zatman 55 years ago. This artificial assay uses alkylated phenazines, such as phenazine ethosulfate (PES) or phenazine methosulfate (PMS), as primary electron acceptors (EAs) and the electron transfer is further coupled to a dye. However, many groups have reported problems concerning the bleaching of the assay mixture in the absence of MDH and the reproducibility of those assays. Hence, the comparison of kinetic data among MDH enzymes of different species is often cumbersome. Using mass spectrometry, UV-Vis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, we show that the side reactions of the assay mixture are mainly due to the degradation of assay components. Light-induced demethylation (yielding formaldehyde and phenazine in the case of PMS) or oxidation of PES or PMS as well as a reaction with assay components (ammonia, cyanide) can occur. We suggest here a protocol to avoid these side reactions. Further, we describe a modified synthesis protocol for obtaining the alternative electron acceptor, Wurster's blue (WB), which serves both as EA and dye. The investigation of two lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenases from Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 and Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV with WB, along with handling recommendations, is presented. Lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenases. Understanding the chemistry of artificial electron acceptors and redox dyes can yield more reproducible results.

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of XoxG and XoxJ and Their Roles in Lanthanide-Dependent Methanol Dehydrogenase Activity

Lanthanide (Ln)-dependent methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) have recently been shown to be widespread in methylotrophic bacteria. Along with the core MDH protein, XoxF, these systems contain two other proteins, XoxG (a c-type cytochrome) and XoxJ (a periplasmic binding protein of unknown function), about which little is known. In this work, we have biochemically and structurally characterized these proteins from the methyltroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. In contrast to results obtained in an artificial assay system, assays of XoxFs metallated with LaIII , CeIII , and NdIII using their physiological electron acceptor, XoxG, display Ln-independent activities, but the Km for XoxG markedly increases from La to Nd. This result suggests that XoxG's redox properties are tuned specifically for lighter Lns in XoxF, an interpretation supported by the unusually low reduction potential of XoxG (+172 mV). The X-ray crystal structure of XoxG provides a structural basis for this reduction potential and insight into the XoxG-XoxF interaction. Finally, the X-ray crystal structure of XoxJ reveals a large hydrophobic cleft and suggests a role in the activation of XoxF. These studies enrich our understanding of the underlying chemical principles that enable the activity of XoxF with multiple lanthanides in vitro and in vivo.

Structure and function of the lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase XoxF from the methanotroph Methylomicrobium buryatense 5GB1C

In methylotrophic bacteria, which use one-carbon (C1) compounds as a carbon source, methanol is oxidized by pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) enzymes. Methylotrophic genomes generally encode two distinct MDHs, MxaF and XoxF. MxaF is a well-studied, calcium-dependent heterotetrameric enzyme whereas XoxF is a lanthanide-dependent homodimer. Recent studies suggest that XoxFs are likely the functional MDHs in many environments. In methanotrophs, methylotrophs that utilize methane, interactions between particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) and MxaF have been detected. To investigate the possibility of interactions between pMMO and XoxF, XoxF was isolated from the methanotroph Methylomicrobium buryatense 5GB1C (5G-XoxF). Purified 5G-XoxF exhibits a specific activity of 0.16 μmol DCPIP reduced min^-1 mg^-1. The 1.85 Å resolution crystal structure reveals a La(III) ion in the active site, in contrast to the calcium ion in MxaF. The overall fold is similar to other MDH structures, but 5G-XoxF is a monomer in solution. An interaction between 5G-XoxF and its cognate pMMO was detected by biolayer interferometry, with a K_D value of 50 ± 17 μM. These results suggest an alternative model of MDH-pMMO association, in which a XoxF monomer may bind to pMMO, and underscore the potential importance of lanthanide-dependent MDHs in biological methane oxidation.

Impact of the lanthanide contraction on the activity of a lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase - a kinetic and DFT study

Interest in the bioinorganic chemistry of lanthanides is growing rapidly as more and more lanthanide-dependent bacteria are being discovered. Especially the earlier lanthanides have been shown to be preferentially utilized by bacteria that need these Lewis acids as cofactors in their alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes. Here, we investigate the impact of the lanthanide ions lanthanum(iii) to lutetium(iii) (excluding Pm) on the catalytic parameters (vmax, KM, kcat/KM) of a methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) isolated from Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV. Kinetic experiments and DFT calculations were used to discuss why only the earlier lanthanides (La-Gd) promote high MDH activity. Impact of Lewis acidity, coordination number preferences, stability constants and other properties that are a direct result of the lanthanide contraction are discussed in light of the two proposed mechanisms for MDH.

Similar but Not the Same: First Kinetic and Structural Analyses of a Methanol Dehydrogenase Containing a Europium Ion in the Active Site

Since the discovery of the biological relevance of rare earth elements (REEs) for numerous different bacteria, questions concerning the advantages of REEs in the active sites of methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) over calcium(II) and of why bacteria prefer light REEs have been a subject of debate. Here we report the cultivation and purification of the strictly REE-dependent methanotrophic bacterium Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV with europium(III), as well as structural and kinetic analyses of the first methanol dehydrogenase incorporating Eu in the active site. Crystal structure determination of the Eu-MDH demonstrated that overall no major structural changes were induced by conversion to this REE. Circular dichroism (CD) measurements were used to determine optimal conditions for kinetic assays, whereas inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) showed 70 % incorporation of Eu in the enzyme. Our studies explain why bacterial growth of SolV in the presence of Eu3+ is significantly slower than in the presence of La3+ /Ce3+ /Pr3+ : Eu-MDH possesses a decreased catalytic efficiency. Although REEs have similar properties, the differences in ionic radii and coordination numbers across the series significantly impact MDH efficiency.

Production of carbon-13-labeled cadaverine by engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum using carbon-13-labeled methanol as co-substrate

Methanol, a one-carbon compound, can be utilized by a variety of bacteria and other organisms as carbon and energy source and is regarded as a promising substrate for biotechnological production. In this study, a strain of non-methylotrophic Corynebacterium glutamicum, which was able to produce the polyamide building block cadaverine as non-native product, was engineered for co-utilization of methanol. Expression of the gene encoding NAD+-dependent methanol dehydrogenase (Mdh) from the natural methylotroph Bacillus methanolicus increased methanol oxidation. Deletion of the endogenous aldehyde dehydrogenase genes ald and fadH prevented methanol oxidation to carbon dioxide and formaldehyde detoxification via the linear formaldehyde dissimilation pathway. Heterologous expression of genes for the key enzymes hexulose-6-phosphate synthase and 6-phospho-3-hexuloisomerase of the ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) pathway in this strain restored growth in the presence of methanol or formaldehyde, which suggested efficient formaldehyde detoxification involving RuMP key enzymes. While growth with methanol as sole carbon source was not observed, the fate of 13C-methanol added as co-substrate to sugars was followed and the isotopologue distribution indicated incorporation into central metabolites and in vivo activity of the RuMP pathway. In addition, 13C-label from methanol was traced to the secreted product cadaverine. Thus, this synthetic biology approach led to a C. glutamicum strain that converted the non-natural carbon substrate methanol at least partially to the non-native product cadaverine.

Biological conversion of methane to liquid fuels: status and opportunities

Methane is the main component of natural gas and biogas. As an abundant energy source, methane is crucial not only to meet current energy needs but also to achieve a sustainable energy future. Conversion of methane to liquid fuels provides energy-dense products and therefore reduces costs for storage, transportation, and distribution. Compared to thermochemical processes, biological conversion has advantages such as high conversion efficiency and using environmentally friendly processes. This paper is a comprehensive review of studies on three promising groups of microorganisms (methanotrophs, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, and acetogens) that hold potential in converting methane to liquid fuels; their habitats, biochemical conversion mechanisms, performance in liquid fuels production, and genetic modification to enhance the conversion are also discussed. To date, methane-to-methanol conversion efficiencies (moles of methanol produced per mole methane consumed) of up to 80% have been reported. A number of issues that impede scale-up of this technology, such as mass transfer limitations of methane, inhibitory effects of H2S in biogas, usage of expensive chemicals as electron donors, and lack of native strains capable of converting methane to liquid fuels other than methanol, are discussed. Future perspectives and strategies in addressing these challenges are also discussed.

Structure and protein-protein interactions of methanol dehydrogenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

In the initial steps of their metabolic pathway, methanotrophic bacteria oxidize methane to methanol with methane monooxygenases (MMOs) and methanol to formaldehyde with methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs). Several lines of evidence suggest that the membrane-bound or particulate MMO (pMMO) and MDH interact to form a metabolic supercomplex. To further investigate the possible existence of such a supercomplex, native MDH from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) has been purified and characterized by size exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering and X-ray crystallography. M. capsulatus (Bath) MDH is primarily a dimer in solution, although an oligomeric species with a molecular mass of ∼450–560 kDa forms at higher protein concentrations. The 2.57 Å resolution crystal structure reveals an overall fold and α₂β₂ dimeric architecture similar to those of other MDH structures. In addition, biolayer interferometry studies demonstrate specific protein–protein interactions between MDH and M. capsulatus (Bath) pMMO as well as between MDH and the truncated recombinant periplasmic domains of M. capsulatus (Bath) pMMO (spmoB). These interactions exhibit K_D values of 833 ± 409 nM and 9.0 ± 7.7 μM, respectively. The biochemical data combined with analysis of the crystal lattice interactions observed in the MDH structure suggest a model in which MDH and pMMO associate not as a discrete, stoichiometric complex but as a larger assembly scaffolded by the intracytoplasmic membranes.

Quinone-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases and FAD-dependent alcohol oxidases

This review considers quinone-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases and FAD-dependent alcohol oxidases, enzymes that are present in numerous methylotrophic eu- and prokaryotes and significantly differ in their primary and quaternary structure. The cofactors of the enzymes are bound to the protein polypeptide chain through ionic and hydrophobic interactions. Microorganisms containing these enzymes are described. Methods for purification of the enzymes, their physicochemical properties, and spatial structures are considered. The supposed mechanism of action and practical application of these enzymes as well as their producers are discussed.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of MxaJ, a component of the methanol-oxidizing system operon from the marine bacterium Methylophaga aminisulfidivorans MPT

The methanol-oxidizing system (mox) is essential for methylotrophic bacteria to extract energy during the oxidoreduction reaction and consists of a series of electron-transfer proteins encoded by the mox operon. One of the key enzymes is the α₂β₂ methanol dehydrogenase complex (type I MDH), which converts methanol to formaldehyde during the 2e⁻ transfer through the prosthetic group pyrroloquinoline quinone. MxaJ, a product of mxaJ of the mox operon, is a component of the MDH complex and enhances the methanol-converting activity of the MDH complex. However, the exact functional mechanism of MxaJ in the complex is not clearly known. To investigate the functional role of MxaJ in MDH activity, an attempt was made to determine its crystal structure. Diffraction data were collected from a selenomethionine-substituted crystal to 1.92 Å resolution at the peak wavelength. The crystal belonged to the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁, with unit-cell parameters a = 37.127, b = 63.761, c = 99.246 Å. The asymmetric unit contained one MxaJ molecule with a calculated Matthews coefficient of 2.11 Ų Da⁻¹ and a solvent content of 41.7%. Three-dimensional structure determination of the MxaJ protein is currently in progress by the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion technique and model building.

Genomes of three methylotrophs from a single niche reveal the genetic and metabolic divergence of the methylophilaceae

The genomes of three representatives of the family Methylophilaceae, Methylotenera mobilis JLW8, Methylotenera versatilis 301, and Methylovorus glucosetrophus SIP3-4, all isolated from a single study site, Lake Washington in Seattle, WA, were completely sequenced. These were compared to each other and to the previously published genomes of Methylobacillus flagellatus KT and an unclassified Methylophilales strain, HTCC2181. Comparative analysis revealed that the core genome of Methylophilaceae may be as small as approximately 600 genes, while the pangenome may be as large as approximately 6,000 genes. Significant divergence between the genomes in terms of both gene content and gene and protein conservation was uncovered, including the varied presence of certain genes involved in methylotrophy. Overall, our data demonstrate that metabolic potentials can vary significantly between different species of Methylophilaceae, including organisms inhabiting the very same environment. These data suggest that genetic divergence among the members of this family may be responsible for their specialized and nonredundant functions in C₁ cycling, which in turn suggests means for their successful coexistence in their specific ecological niches.

Aromatic amino acid auxotrophs constructed by recombinant marker exchange in Methylophilus methylotrophus AS1 cells expressing the aroP-encoded transporter of Escherichia coli

The isolation of auxotrophic mutants, which is a prerequisite for a substantial genetic analysis and metabolic engineering of obligate methylotrophs, remains a rather complicated task. We describe a novel method of constructing mutants of the bacterium Methylophilus methylotrophus AS1 that are auxotrophic for aromatic amino acids. The procedure begins with the Mu-driven integration of the Escherichia coli gene aroP, which encodes the common aromatic amino acid transporter, into the genome of M. methylotrophus. The resulting recombinant strain, with improved permeability to certain amino acids and their analogues, was used for mutagenesis. Mutagenesis was carried out by recombinant substitution of the target genes in the chromosome by linear DNA using the FLP-excisable marker flanked with cloned homologous arms longer than 1,000 bp. M. methylotrophus AS1 genes trpE, tyrA, pheA, and aroG were cloned in E. coli, sequenced, disrupted in vitro using a Kmr marker, and electroporated into an aroP carrier recipient strain. This approach led to the construction of a set of marker-less M. methylotrophus AS1 mutants auxotrophic for aromatic amino acids. Thus, introduction of foreign amino acid transporter genes appeared promising for the following isolation of desired auxotrophs on the basis of different methylotrophic bacteria.

The 1.6Å X-ray Structure of the Unusual c-type Cytochrome, Cytochrome cL, from the Methylotrophic Bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens

The structure of cytochrome cL from Methylobacterium extorquens has been determined by X-ray crystallography to a resolution of 1.6 A. This unusually large, acidic cytochrome is the physiological electron acceptor for the quinoprotein methanol dehydrogenase in the periplasm of methylotrophic bacteria. Its amino acid sequence is completely different from that of other cytochromes but its X-ray structure reveals a core that is typical of class I cytochromes c, having alpha-helices folded into a compact structure enclosing the single haem c prosthetic group and leaving one edge of the haem exposed. The haem is bound through thioether bonds to Cys65 and Cys68, and the fifth ligand to the haem iron is provided by His69. Remarkably, the sixth ligand is provided by His112, and not by Met109, which had been shown to be the sixth ligand in solution. Cytochrome cL is unusual in having a disulphide bridge that tethers the long C-terminal extension to the body of the structure. The crystal structure reveals that, close to the inner haem propionate, there is tightly bound calcium ion that is likely to be involved in stabilization of the redox potential, and that may be important in the flow of electrons from reduced pyrroloquinoline quinone in methanol dehydrogenase to the haem of cytochrome cL. As predicted, both haem propionates are exposed to solvent, accounting for the unusual influence of pH on the redox potential of this cytochrome.

The quinoprotein dehydrogenases for methanol and glucose

This review summarises our current understanding of two of the main types of quinoprotein dehydrogenase in which pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is the only prosthetic group. These are the soluble methanol dehydrogenase and the membrane glucose dehydrogenase (mGDH). The membrane GDH has an additional N-terminal domain by which it is tightly anchored to the membrane, and a periplasmic domain whose structure has been modelled on the X-ray structure of the alpha-subunit of MDH which contains PQQ in the active site. This review discusses their structures and mechanisms, concentrating particularly on the pathways for electron transfer from the reduced PQQ, through the protein, to their electron acceptors. In MDH, this is the specific cytochrome c(L), the electron transfer pathway probably involving the unique disulphide ring in the active site. By contrast, mGDH contains a permanently bound ubiquinone, which acts as a single electron carrier, mediating electron transfer through the protein to the membrane ubiquinone.

X-ray structure of methanol dehydrogenase from Paracoccus denitrificans and molecular modeling of its interactions with cytochrome c-551i

The X-ray structure of methanol dehydrogenase (MEDH) from Paracoccus denitrificans (MEDH-PD) was determined at 2.5 A resolution using molecular replacement based on the structure of MEDH from Methylophilus methylotrophus W3A1 (MEDH-WA). The overall structures from the two bacteria are similar to each other except that the former has a longer C-terminal tail in each subunit and shows local differences in several insertion regions. The "X-ray sequence" of the segment alphaGly444-alphaLeu452 was established, including one insertion and seven replacements compared with the reported sequence. The primary electron acceptor of MEDH-PD is cytochrome c-551i (Cyt c551i). Based on the crystal structure of MEDH-PD and of the published structure of Cyt c551i, their interactions were investigated by molecular modeling. As a guide and starting point, the covalently attached cytochrome and PQQ domains of the alcohol dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida HK5 (ADH2B) were used. In the modeling, two molecules of Cyt c551i could be accommodated in their interaction with the MEDH heterotetramer in accordance with the two-fold molecular symmetry of the latter. Two models are proposed, in both of which electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions make major contributions to inter-protein binding. One of these models involves salt bridges from alphaArg99 of MEDH to the heme propionic acids of Cyt c551i and the other involves salt bridges from alphaArg426 of MEDH to Glu112 of Cyt c551i. Both involve salt bridges from alphaLys93 of MEDH to Asp75 of Cyt c551i. The size and nature of the cytochrome/quinoprotein heterodimer interfaces and calculations of electronic coupling and electron transfer rates favor one of these models over the other.

The role of the MxaD protein in the respiratory chain of Methylobacterium extorquens during growth on methanol

The largest of the gene clusters coding for proteins involved in methanol oxidation is the cluster mxaFJGIR(S)ACKLDEHB. Disruption of most of these genes leads to lack of growth on methanol. The previous results showed that the mutant lacking MxaD grows on methanol although at a low rate. This is explained by the low rate of methanol oxidation by whole cells. The specific activity of methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) is higher in the mutant but its electron acceptor (cytochrome c(L)) is unchanged. Using the purified proteins, it was shown that the rate of interaction of MDH and cytochrome c(L) was higher in the wild-type MDH containing some MxaD proteins, which was absent in the mutant MDH. It is suggested that the gene mxaD codes for the 17-kDa periplasmic protein that directly or indirectly stimulates the interaction between MDH and cytochrome c(L); its absence leads to a lower rate of respiration with methanol and therefore a lower growth rate on this substrate.

Genetic and biochemical characterization of the pathway in Pantoea citrea leading to pink disease of pineapple

Pink disease of pineapple, caused by Pantoea citrea, is characterized by a dark coloration on fruit slices after autoclaving. This coloration is initiated by the oxidation of glucose to gluconate, which is followed by further oxidation of gluconate to as yet unknown chromogenic compounds. To elucidate the biochemical pathway leading to pink disease, we generated six coloration-defective mutants of P. citrea that were still able to oxidize glucose into gluconate. Three mutants were found to be affected in genes involved in the biogenesis of c-type cytochromes, which are known for their role as specific electron acceptors linked to dehydrogenase activities. Three additional mutants were affected in different genes within an operon that probably encodes a 2-ketogluconate dehydrogenase protein. These six mutants were found to be unable to oxidize gluconate or 2-ketogluconate, resulting in an inability to produce the compound 2,5-diketogluconate (2,5-DKG). Thus, the production of 2,5-DKG by P. citrea appears to be responsible for the dark color characteristic of the pink disease of pineapple.

The molecular structure of an unusual cytochrome c2 determined at 2.0 A; the cytochrome cH from Methylobacterium extorquens

Cytochrome cH is the electron donor to the oxidase in methylotrophic bacteria. Its amino acid sequence suggests that it is a typical Class 1 cytochrome c, but some features of the sequence indicated that its structure might be of special interest. The structure of oxidized cytochrome cH has been solved to 2.0 A resolution by X-ray diffraction. It has the classical tertiary structure of the Class 1 cytochromes c but bears a closer gross resemblance to mitochondrial cytochrome c than to the bacterial cytochrome c2. The left-hand side of the haem cleft is unique; in particular, it is highly hydrophobic, the usual water is absent, and the "conserved" Tyr67 is replaced by tryptophan. A number of features of the structure demonstrate that the usual hydrogen bonding network involving water in the haem channel is not essential and that other mechanisms may exist for modulation of redox potentials in this cytochrome.

The biochemistry, physiology and genetics of PQQ and PQQ-containing enzymes

Pyrrolo-quinoline quinone (PQQ) is the non-covalently bound prosthetic group of many quinoproteins catalysing reactions in the periplasm of Gram-negative bacteria. Most of these involve the oxidation of alcohols or aldose sugars. PQQ is formed by fusion of glutamate and tyrosine, but details of the biosynthetic pathway are not known; a polypeptide precursor in the cytoplasm is probably involved, the completed PQQ being transported into the periplasm. In addition to the soluble methanol dehydrogenase of methylotrophs, there are three classes of alcohol dehydrogenases; type I is similar to methanol dehydrogenase; type II is a soluble quinohaemoprotein, having a C-terminal extension containing haem C; type III is similar but it has two additional subunits (one of which is a multihaem cytochrome c), bound in an unusual way to the periplasmic membrane. There are two types of glucose dehydrogenase; one is an atypical soluble quinoprotein which is probably not involved in energy transduction. The more widely distributed glucose dehydrogenases are integral membrane proteins, bound to the membrane by transmembrane helices at the N-terminus. The structures of the catalytic domains of type III alcohol dehydrogenase and membrane glucose dehydrogenase have been modelled successfully on the methanol dehydrogenase structure (determined by X-ray crystallography). Their mechanisms are likely to be similar in many ways and probably always involve a calcium ion (or other divalent cation) at the active site. The electron transport chains involving the soluble alcohol dehydrogenases usually consist only of soluble c-type cytochromes and the appropriate terminal oxidases. The membrane-bound quinohaemoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases pass electrons to membrane ubiquinone which is then oxidized directly by ubiquinol oxidases. The electron acceptor for membrane glucose dehydrogenase is ubiquinone which is subsequently oxidized directly by ubiquinol oxidases or by electron transfer chains involving cytochrome bc1, cytochrome c and cytochrome c oxidases. The function of most of these systems is to produce energy for growth on alcohol or aldose substrates, but there is some debate about the function of glucose dehydrogenases in those bacteria which contain one or more alternative pathways for glucose utilization. Synthesis of the quinoprotein respiratory systems requires production of PQQ, haem and the dehydrogenase subunits, transport of these into the periplasm, and incorporation together with divalent cations, into active quinoproteins and quinohaemoproteins. Six genes required for regulation of synthesis of methanol dehydrogenase have been identified in Methylobacterium, and there is evidence that two, two-component regulatory systems are involved.

The structure and function of the PQQ-containing quinoprotein dehydrogenases

Bacterial methanol and glucose dehydrogenases containing a novel type of prosthetic group, subsequently identified as pyrrolo-quinoline quinone (PQQ), were first described about 30 years ago. Quinoproteins were originally defined as proteins containing PQQ but this definition has since been broadened to include those proteins containing other types of quinone-containing prosthetic groups, and the X-ray structures of representatives of each type of quinoprotein have recently been published. This review is mainly concerned with the structure and function of the PQQ-containing methanol dehydrogenase, whose structure has been determined at high resolution, and related proteins. Their basic structure consists of a 'propeller' fold superbarrel made up of 8-sheet 'propeller blades' which are held together by novel tryptophan-docking motifs. In methanol dehydrogenase the PQQ in the active site is coordinated to a Ca2+ ion and is maintained in position by a stacked tryptophan and a novel 8-membered ring structure made up of a disulphide bridge between adjacent cysteine residues. This review describes these features and discusses them in relation to previously proposed mechanisms for this enzyme.

Quinoprotein-catalysed reactions

This review is concerned with the structure and function of the quinoprotein enzymes, sometimes called quinoenzymes. These have prosthetic groups containing quinones, the name thus being analogous to the flavoproteins containing flavin prosthetic groups. Pyrrolo-quinoline quinone (PQQ) is non-covalently attached, whereas tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ), topaquinone (TPQ) and lysine tyrosylquinone (LTQ) are derived from amino acid residues in the backbone of the enzymes. The mechanisms of the quinoproteins are reviewed and related to their recently determined three-dimensional structures. As expected, the quinone structures in the prosthetic groups play important roles in the mechanisms. A second common feature is the presence of a catalytic base (aspartate) at the active site which initiates the reactions by abstracting a proton from the substrate, and it is likely to be involved in multiple reactions in the mechanism. A third common feature of these enzymes is that the first part of the reaction produces a reduced prosthetic group; this part of the mechanism is fairly well understood. This is followed by an oxidative phase involving electron transfer reactions which remain poorly understood. In both types of dehydrogenase (containing PQQ and TTQ), electrons must pass from the reduced prosthetic group to redox centres in a second recipient protein (or protein domain), whereas in amine oxidases (containing TPQ or LTQ), electrons must be transferred to molecular oxygen by way of a redox-active copper ion in the protein.

Characterization of a novel methanol dehydrogenase containing a Ba2+ ion at the active site

The quinoprotein methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) contains a Ca2+ ion at the active site. Ca(2-)-free enzyme (from a processing mutant) was used to obtain enzyme containing Sr2+ or Ba2+, the Ba(2+)-MDH being the first enzyme to be described in which a Ba2+ ion functions at the active site. The activation energy for oxidation of methanol by Ba(2+)-MDH is less than half that of the reaction catalysed by Ca(2+)-MDH (a difference of 21.4 kJ/mol), and the Vmax value is 2-fold higher. The affinities of Ba(2+)-MDH for substrate and activator are very much less than those of Ca(2+)-MDH; the Km for methanol is 3.5 mM (compared with 3 microM) and the KA for ammonia is 52 mM (compared with 2 mM). The different activity of Ba(2+)-MDH is probably due to a change in the conformation of the active site, leading to a decrease in the free energy of substrate binding and hence a decrease in activation energy. The kinetic model for Ba(2+)-MDH with respect to substrate and activator is consistent with previous models for Ca(2+)-MDH. The pronounced deuterium isotope effect (6.0-7.6) is influenced by ammonia, and is consistent with activation of the pyrroloquinoline quinone reduction step by ammonia. Because of its low affinity for substrates, it is possible to prepare the oxidized form of Ba(2+)-MDH. No spectral intermediates could be detected during reduction by added substrate, and so it is not possible to distinguish between those mechanisms involving covalent substrate addition and those involving only hydride transfer.

Identification and nucleotide sequences of mxaA, mxaC, mxaK, mxaL, and mxaD genes from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1

The DNA sequence for a 4.4-kb HindIII-XhoI Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 DNA fragment that is known to contain three genes (mxaAKL) involved in incorporation of calcium into methanol dehydrogenase (I. W. Richardson and C. Anthony, Biochem. J. 287:709-7115, 1992) was determined. Five complete open reading frames and two partial open reading frames were found, suggesting that this region contains previously unidentified genes. A combination of sequence analysis, mutant complementation data, and gene expression studies showed that these genes correspond to mxaSACKLDorf1. Of the three previously unidentified genes (mxaC, mxaD, and orf1), mutant complementation studies showed that mxaC is required for methanol oxidation, while the function of the other two genes is still unknown.

The interaction of methanol dehydrogenase and its cytochrome electron acceptor

A fluorescence method is described for direct measurement of the interaction between methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) and its electron acceptor cytochrome cL. This has permitted a distinction to be made between factors affecting electron transfer and those affecting the initial binding or docking process. It was confirmed that the initial interaction is electrostatic, but previous conclusions with respect to the mechanism of EDTA inhibition have been modified. It is proposed that the initial 'docking' of MDH and cytochrome cL is by way of ionic interactions between lysyl residues on its surface and carboxylate groups on the surface of cytochrome cL. This interaction is not inhibited by EDTA, which we suggest acts by binding to nearby lysyl residues, thus preventing movement of the 'docked' cytochrome to its optimal position for electron transfer, which probably involves interaction with the hydrophobic funnel in the surface of MDH.

The role of the novel disulphide ring in the active site of the quinoprotein methanol dehydrogenase from Methylobacterium extorquens

All cysteines in methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) from Methylobacterium extorquens are involved in intra-subunit disulphide bridge formation. One of these is between adjacent cysteine residues which form a novel ring structure in the active site. It is readily reduced, the reduced enzyme being inactive in electron transfer to cytochrome cL. The inactivation is not a result of major structural change or to modification of the prosthetic group pyrrolo-quinoline quinone (PQQ). The reduced enzyme appears to remain active with the artificial electron acceptor phenazine ethosulphate but this is because the dye re-oxidizes the adjacent thiols back to the original disulphide bridge. No free thiols were detected during the reaction cycle with cytochrome cL. Carboxymethylation of the thiols produced by reduction of the novel disulphide ring led to formation of active enzyme. Reconstitution of inactive Ca(2+)-free MDH with Ca2+ led to active enzyme containing the oxidized bridge and reduced quinol, PQQH2, consistent with the conclusion that no hydrogen transfer occurs between these groups in the active site. It is concluded that the disulphide ring in the active site of MDH does not function as a redox component of the reaction. The disulphide ring has no special function in the process of Ca2+ incorporation into the active site. It is suggested that this novel structure might function in the stabilization or protection of the free radical semiquinone form of the prosthetic group (PQQH.) from solvent at the entrance to the active site.

The refined structure of the quinoprotein methanol dehydrogenase from Methylobacterium extorquens at 1.94 A

BACKGROUND

Methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) is a bacterial periplasmic quinoprotein; it has pyrrolo-quinoline quinone (PQQ) as its prosthetic group, requires Ca2+ for activity and uses cytochrome cL as its electron acceptor. Low-resolution structures of MDH have already been determined.

RESULTS

The structure of the alpha 2 beta 2 tetramer of MDH from Methylobacterium extorquens has now been determined at 1.94 A with an R-factor of 19.85%.

CONCLUSIONS

The alpha-subunit of MDH has an eight-fold radial symmetry, with its eight beta-sheets stabilized by a novel tryptophan docking motif. The PQQ in the active site is held in place by a coplanar tryptophan and by a novel disulphide ring formed between adjacent cysteines which are bonded by an unusual non-planar trans peptide bond. One of the carbonyl oxygens of PQQ is bonded to the Ca2+, probably facilitating attack on the substrate, and the other carbonyl oxygen is out of the plane of the ring, confirming the presence of the predicted free-radical semiquinone form of the prosthetic group.

The structure and function of methanol dehydrogenase and related quinoproteins containing pyrrolo-quinoline quinone

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Denitrification and its control

Denitrification in bacteria comprises a series of four reduction reactions; for nitrate, nitrite, nitric oxide and nitrous oxide. Nitrogen gas is the final product. The nature of the enzymes catalysing these reactions is described along with the the properties of the underlying electron transport systems. The factors influencing the expression of the reductases for the four reactions are reviewed along with the effect of oxygen on the activities of the enzymes of denitrification. The main emphasis is on observations made with Paracoccus denitrificans and Pseudomonas stutzeri.

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic investigation of methanol dehydrogenase from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1

Single crystals of methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 have been grown by the vapour diffusion method. These crystals diffract to beyond 2 A resolution and are suitable for X-ray crystallography. They belong to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and have the following unit cell parameters: a = 66.79 A, b = 108.9 A, c = 188.9 A. One asymmetric unit contains an alpha 2 beta 2 tetramer of MDH and the location of the non-crystallographic 2-fold symmetry axis of this tetramer is defined by the paired positions of the binding sites of heavy atoms in four MDH-derivatives.

Characterization of mutant forms of the quinoprotein methanol dehydrogenase lacking an essential calcium ion

Methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) from Methylobacterium extorquens, Methylophilus methylotrophus, Paracoccus denitrificans and Hyphomicrobium X all contained a single atom of Ca2+ per alpha 2 beta 2 tetramer. The role of Ca2+ was investigated using the MDH from Methylobacterium extorquens. This was shown to be similar to the MDH from Hyphomicrobium X in having 2 mol of prosthetic group (pyrroloquinoline quinine; PQQ) per mol of tetramer, the PQQ being predominantly in the semiquinone form. MDH isolated from the methanol oxidation mutants MoxA-, K- and L- contained no Ca2+. They were identical with the enzyme isolated from wild-type bacteria with respect to molecular size, subunit configuration, pI, N-terminal amino acid sequence and stability under denaturing conditions (low pH, high urea and high guanidinium chloride) and in the nature and content of the prosthetic group (2 mol of PQQ per mol of MDH). They differed in their lack of Ca2+, the oxidation state of the extracted PQQ (fully oxidized), absence of the semiquinone form of PQQ in the enzyme, reactivity with the suicide inhibitor cyclopropanol and absorption spectrum, which indicated that PQQ is bound differently from that in normal MDH. Incubation of MDH from the mutants in calcium salts led to irreversible time-dependent reconstitution of full activity concomitant with restoration of a spectrum corresponding to that of fully reduced normal MDH. It is concluded that Ca2+ in MDH is directly or indirectly involved in binding PQQ in the active site. The MoxA, K and L proteins may be involved in maintaining a high Ca2+ concentration in the periplasm. It is more likely, however, that they fill a 'chaperone' function, stabilizing a configuration of MDH which permits incorporation of low concentrations of Ca2+ into the protein.