Structure and function of the two-component flavin-dependent methanesulfinate monooxygenase within bacterial sulfur assimilation

Oligomeric Changes Regulate Flavin Transfer in Two-Component FMN Reductases Involved in Sulfur Metabolism

The FMN reductases (SsuE and MsuE of the alkanesulfonate monooxygenase systems) supply reduced flavin to their partner monooxygenases for the desulfonation of alkanesulfonates. Flavin reductases that comprise two-component systems must be able to regulate both flavin reduction and transfer. One mechanism to control these distinct processes is through changes in the oligomeric state of the enzymes. Despite their similar overall structures, SsuE and MsuE showed clear differences in their oligomeric states in the presence of substrates. The oligomeric state of SsuE was converted from a tetramer to a dimer/tetramer equilibrium in the presence of FMN or NADPH in analytical ultracentrifugation studies. Conversely, MsuE shifted from a dimer to a single tetrameric state with FMN, and the NADPH substrate did not induce a similar oligomeric shift. There was a fast tetramer to dimer equilibrium shift occurring at the dimer/dimer interface in H/D-X investigations with apo SsuE. Formation of the SsuE/FMN complex slowed the tetramer/dimer conversion, leading to a slower exchange along the dimer/dimer interface. The oligomeric shift of the MsuE/FMN complex from a dimer to a distinct tetramer showed a decrease in H/D-X in the region around the π-helices at the dimer/dimer interface. Both SsuE and MsuE showed a comparable and significant increase in the melting temperature with the addition of FMN, indicating the conformers formed by each FMN-bound enzyme had increased stability. A mechanism that supports the different structural shifts is rationalized by the different roles these enzymes play in providing reduced flavin to single or multiple monooxygenase enzymes.

Crystal structure of MAB_4123, a putative flavin-dependent monooxygenase from Mycobacterium abscessus

Numerous bacteria from different phylae can perform desulfurization reactions of organosulfur compounds. In these degradation or detoxification pathways, two-component flavin-dependent monooxygenases that use flavins (FMN or FAD) as a cofactor play important roles as they catalyse the first steps of these metabolic routes. The TdsC or DszC and MsuC proteins belong to this class of enzymes as they process dibenzothiophene (DBT) and methanesulfinate. Elucidation of their X-ray structures in apo, ligand-bound and cofactor-bound forms has provided important molecular insights into their catalytic reaction. Mycobacterial species have also been shown to possess a DBT degradation pathway, but no structural information is available on these two-component flavin-dependent monooxygenases. In this study, the crystal structure of the uncharacterized MAB_4123 protein from the human pathogen Mycobacterium abscessus is presented. The structure solved at high resolution displays high similarity to homologs from Rhodococcus, Paenibacillus and Pseudomonas species. In silico docking approaches suggest that MAB_4123 binds FMN and may use it as a cofactor. Structural analysis strongly suggests that MAB_4123 is a two-component flavin-dependent monooxygenase that could act as a detoxifying enzyme of organosulfur compounds in mycobacteria.

Shorter Alkanesulfonate Carbon Chains Destabilize the Active Site Architecture of SsuD for Desulfonation

Bacteria have evolved to utilize alternative organosulfur sources when sulfur is limiting. The SsuE/SsuD and MsuE/MsuD enzymes expressed when sulfur sources are restricted, are responsible for providing specific bacteria with sulfur in the form of alkanesulfonates. In this study, we evaluated why two structurally and functionally similar FMNH₂-dependent monooxygenase enzymes (MsuD and SsuD) are needed for the acquisition of alkanesulfonates in some bacteria. In desulfonation assays, MsuD was able to utilize the entire range of alkanesulfonates (C1-C10). However, SsuD was not able to utilize smaller alkanesulfonate substrates. Interestingly, SsuD had a similar binding affinity for methanesulfonate (MES) (15 ± 1 μM) as MsuD (12 ± 1 μM) even though SsuD was not able to catalyze the desulfonation of the MES substrate. SsuD and MsuD showed decreased proteolytic susceptibility in the presence of FMNH₂ with MES and octanesulfonate (OCS). Tighter loop closure was observed for the MsuD/FMNH₂ complex with MES and OCS compared to SsuD under comparable conditions. Analysis of the SsuD/FMNH₂/MES structure using accelerated molecular dynamics simulations found three different conformations for MES, demonstrating the instability of the bound structure. Even when MES was bound in a similar fashion to OCS within the active site, the smaller alkane chain resulted in a shift of FMNH₂ so that it was no longer in a position to catalyze the desulfonation of MES. The active site of SsuD requires a longer alkane chain to maintain the appropriate architecture for desulfonation.

Structures of the alkanesulfonate monooxygenase MsuD provide insight into C-S bond cleavage, substrate scope, and an unexpected role for the tetramer

Bacterial two-component flavin-dependent monooxygenases cleave the stable C-S bond of environmental and anthropogenic organosulfur compounds. The monooxygenase MsuD converts methanesulfonate (MS-) to sulfite, completing the sulfur assimilation process during sulfate starvation, but the mechanism of this conversion remains unclear. To explore the mechanism of C-S bond cleavage, we report a series of crystal structures of MsuD from Pseudomonas fluorescens in different liganded states. This report provides the first crystal structures of an alkanesulfonate monooxygenase with a bound flavin and alkanesulfonate, elucidating the roles of the active site lid, the protein C terminus, and an active site loop in flavin and/or alkanesulfonate binding. These structures position MS- closest to the flavin N5 position, consistent with an N5-(hydro)peroxyflavin mechanism rather than a classical C4a-(hydro)peroxyflavin mechanism. A fully enclosed active site is observed in the ternary complex, mediated by interchain interaction of the C terminus at the tetramer interface. These structures identify an unexpected function of the protein C terminus in this protein family in stabilizing tetramer formation and the alkanesulfonate-binding site. Spurred by interest from the crystal structures, we conducted biochemical assays and molecular docking that redefine MsuD as a small- to medium-chain alkanesulfonate monooxygenase. Functional mutations verify the sulfonate-binding site and reveal the critical importance of the protein C terminus for monooxygenase function. These findings reveal a deeper understanding of MsuD's functionality at the molecular level and consequently how it operates within its role as part of the sulfur assimilation pathway.

Glycyl Radical Enzymes and Sulfonate Metabolism in the Microbiome

Sulfonates include diverse natural products and anthropogenic chemicals and are widespread in the environment. Many bacteria can degrade sulfonates and obtain sulfur, carbon, and energy for growth, playing important roles in the biogeochemical sulfur cycle. Cleavage of the inert sulfonate C-S bond involves a variety of enzymes, cofactors, and oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent catalytic mechanisms. Sulfonate degradation by strictly anaerobic bacteria was recently found to involve C-S bond cleavage through O₂-sensitive free radical chemistry, catalyzed by glycyl radical enzymes (GREs). The associated discoveries of new enzymes and metabolic pathways for sulfonate metabolism in diverse anaerobic bacteria have enriched our understanding of sulfonate chemistry in the anaerobic biosphere. An anaerobic environment of particular interest is the human gut microbiome, where sulfonate degradation by sulfate- and sulfite-reducing bacteria (SSRB) produces H₂S, a process linked to certain chronic diseases and conditions.