Biosynthesis of complex iron–sulfur enzymes

Viral community analysis in a marine oxygen minimum zone indicates increased potential for viral manipulation of microbial physiological state

Microbial communities in oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) are known to have significant impacts on global biogeochemical cycles, but viral influence on microbial processes in these regions are much less studied. Here we provide baseline ecological patterns using microscopy and viral metagenomics from the Eastern Tropical North Pacific (ETNP) OMZ region that enhance our understanding of viruses in these climate-critical systems. While extracellular viral abundance decreased below the oxycline, viral diversity and lytic infection frequency remained high within the OMZ, demonstrating that viral influences on microbial communities were still substantial without the detectable presence of oxygen. Viral community composition was strongly related to oxygen concentration, with viral populations in low-oxygen portions of the water column being distinct from their surface layer counterparts. However, this divergence was not accompanied by the expected differences in viral-encoded auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) relating to nitrogen and sulfur metabolisms that are known to be performed by microbial communities in these low-oxygen and anoxic regions. Instead, several abundant AMGs were identified in the oxycline and OMZ that may modulate host responses to low-oxygen stress. We hypothesize that this is due to selection for viral-encoded genes that influence host survivability rather than modulating host metabolic reactions within the ETNP OMZ. Together, this study shows that viruses are not only diverse throughout the water column in the ETNP, including the OMZ, but their infection of microorganisms has the potential to alter host physiological state within these biogeochemically important regions of the ocean.

HydG, the "dangler" iron, and catalytic production of free CO and CN-: implications for [FeFe]-hydrogenase maturation

The organometallic H-cluster of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase consists of a [4Fe-4S] cubane bridged via a cysteinyl thiolate to a 2Fe subcluster ([2Fe]H) containing CO, CN-, and dithiomethylamine (DTMA) ligands. The H-cluster is synthesized by three dedicated maturation proteins: the radical SAM enzymes HydE and HydG synthesize the non-protein ligands, while the GTPase HydF serves as a scaffold for assembly of [2Fe]H prior to its delivery to the [FeFe]-hydrogenase containing the [4Fe-4S] cubane. HydG uses l-tyrosine as a substrate, cleaving it to produce p-cresol as well as the CO and CN- ligands to the H-cluster, although there is some question as to whether these are formed as free diatomics or as part of a [Fe(CO)2(CN)] synthon. Here we show that Clostridium acetobutylicum (C.a.) HydG catalyzes formation of multiple equivalents of free CO at rates comparable to those for CN- formation. Free CN- is also formed in excess molar equivalents over protein. A g = 8.9 EPR signal is observed for C.a. HydG reconstituted to load the 5th "dangler" iron of the auxiliary [4Fe-4S][FeCys] cluster and is assigned to this "dangler-loaded" cluster state. Free CO and CN- formation and the degree of activation of [FeFe]-hydrogenase all occur regardless of dangler loading, but are increased 10-35% in the dangler-loaded HydG; this indicates the dangler iron is not essential to this process but may affect relevant catalysis. During HydG turnover in the presence of myoglobin, the g = 8.9 signal remains unchanged, indicating that a [Fe(CO)2(CN)(Cys)] synthon is not formed at the dangler iron. Mutation of the only protein ligand to the dangler iron, H272, to alanine nearly completely abolishes both free CO formation and hydrogenase activation, however results show this is not due solely to the loss of the dangler iron. In experiments with wild type and H272A HydG, and with different degrees of dangler loading, we observe a consistent correlation between free CO/CN- formation and hydrogenase activation. Taken in full, our results point to free CO/CN-, but not an [Fe(CO)2(CN)(Cys)] synthon, as essential species in hydrogenase maturation.

Biosynthesis of the catalytic H-cluster of [FeFe] hydrogenase: the roles of the Fe-S maturase proteins HydE, HydF, and HydG

[FeFe] hydrogenases carry out the redox interconversion of protons and molecular hydrogen (2H+ + 2e- ⇌ H2) at a complex Fe-S active site known as the H-cluster. The H-cluster consists of a [4Fe-4S] subcluster, denoted here as [4Fe]H, linked via a cysteine sulfur to an interesting organometallic [2Fe]H subcluster thought to be the subsite where the catalysis occurs. This [2Fe]H subcluster consists of two Fe atoms, linked with a bridging CO and a bridging SCH2NHCH2S azadithiolate (adt), with additional terminal CO and CN ligands bound to each Fe. Synthesizing such a complex organometallic unit is a fascinating problem in biochemistry, complicated by the toxic nature of both the CO and CN- species and the relative fragility of the azadithiolate bridge. It has been known for a number of years that this complex biosynthesis is carried out by a set of three essential Fe-S proteins, HydE, HydF, and HydG. HydF is a GTPase, while HydE and HydG are both members of the large family of radical S-adenosylmethionine (rSAM) enzymes. In this perspective we describe the history of research and discovery concerning these three Fe-S "maturase" proteins and describe recent evidence for a sequential biosynthetic pathway beginning with the synthesis of a mononuclear organometallic [Fe(ii)(CO)2CN(cysteine)] complex by the rSAM enzyme HydG and its subsequent activation by the second rSAM enzyme HydE to form a highly reactive Fe(i)(CO)2(CN)S species. In our model a pair of these Fe(i)(CO)2(CN)S units condense to form the [Fe(CO)2(CN)S]2 diamond core of the [2Fe]H cluster, requiring only the installation of the central CH2NHCH2 portion of the azadithiolate bridge, whose atoms are all sourced from the amino acid serine. This final step likely occurs with an interplay of HydE and HydF, the details of which yet remain to be elucidated.

Impact of Na+-Translocating NADH:Quinone Oxidoreductase on Iron Uptake and nqrM Expression in Vibrio cholerae

The Na⁺ ion-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NQR) from Vibrio cholerae is a membrane-bound respiratory enzyme which harbors flavins and Fe-S clusters as redox centers. The NQR is the main producer of the sodium motive force (SMF) and drives energy-dissipating processes such as flagellar rotation, substrate uptake, ATP synthesis, and cation-proton antiport. The NQR requires for its maturation, in addition to the six structural genes nqrABCDEF, a flavin attachment gene, apbE, and the nqrM gene, presumably encoding a Fe delivery protein. We here describe growth studies and quantitative real-time PCR for the V. cholerae O395N1 wild-type (wt) strain and its mutant Δnqr and ΔubiC strains, impaired in respiration. In a comparative proteome analysis, FeoB, the membrane subunit of the uptake system for Fe²⁺ (Feo), was increased in V. cholerae Δnqr In this study, the upregulation was confirmed on the mRNA level and resulted in improved growth rates of V. cholerae Δnqr with Fe²⁺ as an iron source. We studied the expression of feoB on other respiratory enzyme deletion mutants such as the ΔubiC mutant to determine whether iron transport is specific to the absence of NQR resulting from impaired respiration. We show that the nqr operon comprises, in addition to the structural nqrABCDEF genes, the downstream apbE and nqrM genes on the same operon and demonstrate induction of the nqr operon by iron in V. cholerae wt. In contrast, expression of the nqrM gene in V. cholerae Δnqr is repressed by iron. The lack of functional NQR has a strong impact on iron homeostasis in V. cholerae and demonstrates that central respiratory metabolism is interwoven with iron uptake and regulation.IMPORTANCE Investigating strategies of iron acquisition, storage, and delivery in Vibrio cholerae is a prerequisite to understand how this pathogen thrives in hostile, iron-limited environments such as the human host. In addition to highlighting the maturation of the respiratory complex NQR, this study points out the influence of NQR on iron metabolism, thereby making it a potential drug target for antibiotics.

Structural insight into metallocofactor maturation in carbon monoxide dehydrogenase

The nickel-dependent carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) employs a unique heterometallic nickel-iron-sulfur cluster, termed the C-cluster, to catalyze the interconversion of CO and CO₂ Like other complex metalloenzymes, CODH requires dedicated assembly machinery to form the fully intact and functional C-cluster. In particular, nickel incorporation into the C-cluster depends on the maturation factor CooC; however, the mechanism of nickel insertion remains poorly understood. Here, we compare X-ray structures (1.50-2.48 Å resolution) of CODH from Desulfovibrio vulgaris (DvCODH) heterologously expressed in either the absence (DvCODH^-CooC) or presence (DvCODH^+CooC) of co-expressed CooC. We find that the C-cluster of DvCODH^-CooC is fully loaded with iron but does not contain any nickel. Interestingly, the so-called unique iron ion (Fe_u) occupies both its canonical site (80% occupancy) and the nickel site (20% occupancy), with addition of reductant causing further mismetallation of the nickel site (60% iron occupancy). We also demonstrate that a DvCODH variant that lacks a surface-accessible iron-sulfur cluster (the D-cluster) has a C-cluster that is also replete in iron but lacks nickel, despite co-expression with CooC. In this variant, all Fe_u is in its canonical location, and the nickel site is empty. This D-cluster-deficient CODH is inactive despite attempts to reconstitute it with nickel. Taken together, these results suggest that an empty nickel site is not sufficient for nickel incorporation. Based on our findings, we propose a model for C-cluster assembly that requires both CooC and a functioning D-cluster, involves precise redox-state control, and includes a two-step nickel-binding process.

Protein networks in the maturation of human iron-sulfur proteins

The biogenesis of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteins in humans is a multistage process occurring in different cellular compartments. The mitochondrial iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) assembly machinery composed of at least 17 proteins assembles mitochondrial Fe-S proteins. A cytosolic iron-sulfur assembly (CIA) machinery composed of at least 13 proteins has been more recently identified and shown to be responsible for the Fe-S cluster incorporation into cytosolic and nuclear Fe-S proteins. Cytosolic and nuclear Fe-S protein maturation requires not only the CIA machinery, but also the components of the mitochondrial ISC assembly machinery. An ISC export machinery, composed of a protein transporter located in the mitochondrial inner membrane, has been proposed to act in mediating the export process of a still unknown component that is required for the CIA machinery. Several functional and molecular aspects of the protein networks operative in the three machineries are still largely obscure. This Review focuses on the Fe-S protein maturation processes in humans with the specific aim of providing a molecular picture of the currently known protein-protein interaction networks. The human ISC and CIA machineries are presented, and the ISC export machinery is discussed with respect to possible molecules being the substrates of the mitochondrial protein transporter.

Expression, purification and function of cysteine desulfurase from Sulfobacillus acidophilus TPY isolated from deep-sea hydrothermal vent

The cysteine desulfurase (SufS) gene of Sulfobacillus acidophilus TPY, a Gram-positive bacterium isolated from deep-sea hydrothermal vent, was cloned and over-expressed in E. coli BL21. The recombinant SufS protein was purified by one-step affinity chromatography. The TPY SufS contained a well conserved motif RXGHHCA as found in that of other microorganisms, suggesting that it belonged to group II of cysteine desulfurase family. The recombinant TPY SufS could catalyze the conversion of l-cysteine to l-alanine and produce persulfide, and the enzyme activity was 95 μ/μL of sulfur ion per minute. The growth of E. coli BL21 was promoted by over-expressing TPY SufS in vivo or by directly adding recombinant TPY SufS in the medium (4.3-4.5 × 10⁸ cells/mL vs. 3.2-3.5 × 10⁸ cells/mL). Furthermore, the highest cell density of E. coli BL21 when the TPY SufS was over-expressed was about 3.5 times that of the control groups in the presence of sodium thiosulfate. These results indicate that the SUF system as the only assembly system of iron-sulfur clusters not only has significant roles in survival of S. acidophilus TPY, but also might be important for combating with high content of sulfide.

Spectroscopic Evidence of Reversible Disassembly of the [FeFe] Hydrogenase Active Site

[FeFe] hydrogenases are extremely active and efficient H₂-converting biocatalysts. Their active site comprises a unique [2Fe] subcluster bonded to a canonical [4Fe-4S] cluster. The [2Fe] subsite can be introduced into hydrogenases lacking an assembled H-cluster through incubation with a synthesized [2Fe]_H precursor, which initially produces the CO-inhibited state of the enzyme. We present FTIR spectroelectrochemical studies on the CO-inhibited state of the [FeFe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, DdHydAB. At very negative potentials, disassembly of the H-cluster and dissociation of the [2Fe] subcluster is observed. Subsequently raising the potential allows cofactor rebinding and H-cluster reassembly. This demonstrates how the stability of the [2Fe]-[4Fe-4S] intercluster bond depends on the applied potential and the presence of an inhibiting CO ligand on the [2Fe] subcluster. These results provide insight into the mechanisms of CO inhibition and H-cluster assembly in [FeFe] hydrogenases. A fundamental understanding of these properties will provide clues for designing better H₂-converting catalysts.

Differential effects of isc operon mutations on the biosynthesis and activity of key anaerobic metalloenzymes in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli has two machineries for the synthesis of FeS clusters, namely Isc (iron-sulfur cluster) and Suf (sulfur formation). The Isc machinery, encoded by the iscRSUA-hscBA-fdx-iscXoperon, plays a crucial role in the biogenesis of FeS clusters for the oxidoreductases of aerobic metabolism. Less is known, however, about the role of ISC in the maturation of key multi-subunit metalloenzymes of anaerobic metabolism. Here, we determined the contribution of each iscoperon gene product towards the functionality of the major anaerobic oxidoreductases in E. coli, including three [NiFe]-hydrogenases (Hyd), two respiratory formate dehydrogenases (FDH) and nitrate reductase (NAR). Mutants lacking the cysteine desulfurase, IscS, lacked activity of all six enzymes, as well as the activity of fumaratereductase, and this was due to deficiencies in enzyme biosynthesis, maturation or FeS cluster insertion into electron-transfer components. Notably, based on anaerobic growth characteristics and metabolite patterns, the activity of the radical-S-adenosylmethionine enzyme pyruvate formate-lyase activase was independent of IscS, suggesting that FeS biogenesis for this ancient enzyme has different requirements. Mutants lacking either the scaffold protein IscU, the ferredoxin Fdx or the chaperones HscA or HscB had similar enzyme phenotypes: five of the oxidoreductases were essentially inactive, with the exception being the Hyd-3 enzyme, which formed part of the H2-producing formate hydrogenlyase (FHL) complex. Neither the frataxin-homologue CyaY nor the IscX protein was essential for synthesis of the three Hyd enzymes. Thus, while IscS is essential for H2 production in E. coli, the other ISC components are non-essential.

Electron Spin Relaxation and Biochemical Characterization of the Hydrogenase Maturase HydF: Insights into [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-4S] Cluster Communication and Hydrogenase Activation

Nature utilizes [FeFe]-hydrogenase enzymes to catalyze the interconversion between H₂ and protons and electrons. Catalysis occurs at the H-cluster, a carbon monoxide-, cyanide-, and dithiomethylamine-coordinated 2Fe subcluster bridged via a cysteine to a [4Fe-4S] cluster. Biosynthesis of this unique metallocofactor is accomplished by three maturase enzymes denoted HydE, HydF, and HydG. HydE and HydG belong to the radical S-adenosylmethionine superfamily of enzymes and synthesize the nonprotein ligands of the H-cluster. These enzymes interact with HydF, a GTPase that acts as a scaffold or carrier protein during 2Fe subcluster assembly. Prior characterization of HydF demonstrated the protein exists in both dimeric and tetrameric states and coordinates both [4Fe-4S]^2+/+ and [2Fe-2S]^2+/+ clusters [Shepard, E. M., Byer, A. S., Betz, J. N., Peters, J. W., and Broderick, J. B. (2016) Biochemistry 55, 3514-3527]. Herein, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is utilized to characterize the [2Fe-2S]⁺ and [4Fe-4S]⁺ clusters bound to HydF. Examination of spin relaxation times using pulsed EPR in HydF samples exhibiting both [4Fe-4S]⁺ and [2Fe-2S]⁺ cluster EPR signals supports a model in which the two cluster types either are bound to widely separated sites on HydF or are not simultaneously bound to a single HydF species. Gel filtration chromatographic analyses of HydF spectroscopic samples strongly suggest the [2Fe-2S]⁺ and [4Fe-4S]⁺ clusters are coordinated to the dimeric form of the protein. Lastly, we examined the 2Fe subcluster-loaded form of HydF and showed the dimeric state is responsible for [FeFe]-hydrogenase activation. Together, the results indicate a specific role for the HydF dimer in the H-cluster biosynthesis pathway.

Environmental Viral Genomes Shed New Light on Virus-Host Interactions in the Ocean

Viruses are diverse and play significant ecological roles in marine ecosystems. However, our knowledge of genome-level diversity in viruses is biased toward those isolated from few culturable hosts. Here, we determined 1,352 nonredundant complete viral genomes from marine environments. Lifting the uncertainty that clouds short incomplete sequences, whole-genome-wide analysis suggests that these environmental genomes represent hundreds of putative novel viral genera. Predicted hosts include dominant groups of marine bacteria and archaea with no isolated viruses to date. Some of the viral genomes encode many functionally related enzymes, suggesting a strong selection pressure on these marine viruses to control cellular metabolisms by accumulating genes.

Metagenomics has revealed the existence of numerous uncharacterized viral lineages, which are referred to as viral “dark matter.” However, our knowledge regarding viral genomes is biased toward culturable viruses. In this study, we analyzed 1,600 (1,352 nonredundant) complete double-stranded DNA viral genomes (10 to 211 kb) assembled from 52 marine viromes. Together with 244 previously reported uncultured viral genomes, a genome-wide comparison delineated 617 genus-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for these environmental viral genomes (EVGs). Of these, 600 OTUs contained no representatives from known viruses, thus putatively corresponding to novel viral genera. Predicted hosts of the EVGs included major groups of marine prokaryotes, such as marine group II Euryarchaeota and SAR86, from which no viruses have been isolated to date, as well as Flavobacteriaceae and SAR116. Our analysis indicates that marine cyanophages are already well represented in genome databases and that one of the EVGs likely represents a new cyanophage lineage. Several EVGs encode many enzymes that appear to function for an efficient utilization of iron-sulfur clusters or to enhance host survival. This suggests that there is a selection pressure on these marine viruses to accumulate genes for specific viral propagation strategies. Finally, we revealed that EVGs contribute to a 4-fold increase in the recruitment of photic-zone viromes compared with the use of current reference viral genomes.

IMPORTANCE Viruses are diverse and play significant ecological roles in marine ecosystems. However, our knowledge of genome-level diversity in viruses is biased toward those isolated from few culturable hosts. Here, we determined 1,352 nonredundant complete viral genomes from marine environments. Lifting the uncertainty that clouds short incomplete sequences, whole-genome-wide analysis suggests that these environmental genomes represent hundreds of putative novel viral genera. Predicted hosts include dominant groups of marine bacteria and archaea with no isolated viruses to date. Some of the viral genomes encode many functionally related enzymes, suggesting a strong selection pressure on these marine viruses to control cellular metabolisms by accumulating genes.

Identification of an Isothiocyanate on the HypEF Complex Suggests a Route for Efficient Cyanyl-Group Channeling during [NiFe]-Hydrogenase Cofactor Generation

[NiFe]–hydrogenases catalyze uptake and evolution of H₂ in a wide range of microorganisms. The enzyme is characterized by an inorganic nickel/ iron cofactor, the latter of which carries carbon monoxide and cyanide ligands. In vivo generation of these ligands requires a number of auxiliary proteins, the so–called Hyp family. Initially, HypF binds and activates the precursor metabolite carbamoyl phosphate. HypF catalyzes removal of phosphate and transfers the carbamate group to HypE. In an ATP–dependent condensation reaction, the C–terminal cysteinyl residue of HypE is modified to what has been interpreted as thiocyanate. This group is the direct precursor of the cyanide ligands of the [NiFe]–hydrogenase active site cofactor. We present a FT–IR analysis of HypE and HypF as isolated from E. coli. We follow the HypF–catalyzed cyanation of HypE in vitro and screen for the influence of carbamoyl phosphate and ATP. To elucidate on the differences between HypE and the HypEF complex, spectro–electrochemistry was used to map the vibrational Stark effect of naturally cyanated HypE. The IR signature of HypE could ultimately be assigned to isothiocyanate (–N=C=S) rather than thiocyanate (–S–C≡N). This has important implications for cyanyl–group channeling during [NiFe]–hydrogenase cofactor generation.

The importance of iron in the biosynthesis and assembly of [NiFe]-hydrogenases

[NiFe]-hydrogenases (Hyd) are redox-active metalloenzymes that catalyze the reversible oxidation of molecular hydrogen to protons and electrons. These enzymes are frequently heterodimeric and have a unique bimetallic active site in their catalytic large subunit and possess a complement of iron sulfur (Fe-S) clusters for electron transfer in the small subunit. Depending on environmental and metabolic requirements, the Fe-S cluster relay shows considerable variation among the Hyd, even employing high potential [4Fe-3S] clusters for improved oxygen tolerance. The general iron sulfur cluster (Isc) machinery is required for small subunit maturation, possibly providing standard [4Fe-4S], which are then modified as required in situ. The [NiFe] cofactor in the active site also has an iron ion to which one CO and two CN- diatomic ligands are attached. Specific accessory proteins synthesize these ligands and insert the cofactor into the apo-hydrogenase large subunit. Carbamoyl phosphate is the precursor of the CN- ligands, and recent experimental evidence suggests that endogenously generated CO2 might be one precursor of CO. Recent advances also indicate how the machineries responsible for cofactor generation obtain iron. Several transport systems for iron into bacterial cells exist; however, in Escherichia coli, it is mainly the ferrous iron transporter Feo and the ferric-citrate siderphore system Fec that are involved in delivering the metal for Hyd biosynthesis. Genetic analyses have provided evidence for the existence of key checkpoints during cofactor biosynthesis and enzyme assembly that ensure correct spatiotemporal maturation of these modular oxidoreductases.

Radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine chemistry in the synthesis of hydrogenase and nitrogenase metal cofactors

Nitrogenase, [FeFe]-hydrogenase, and [Fe]-hydrogenase enzymes perform catalysis at metal cofactors with biologically unusual non-protein ligands. The FeMo cofactor of nitrogenase has a MoFe7S9 cluster with a central carbon, whereas the H-cluster of [FeFe]-hydrogenase contains a 2Fe subcluster coordinated by cyanide and CO ligands as well as dithiomethylamine; the [Fe]-hydrogenase cofactor has CO and guanylylpyridinol ligands at a mononuclear iron site. Intriguingly, radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine enzymes are vital for the assembly of all three of these diverse cofactors. This minireview presents and discusses the current state of knowledge of the radical S-adenosylmethionine enzymes required for synthesis of these remarkable metal cofactors.

[FeFe]- and [NiFe]-hydrogenase diversity, mechanism, and maturation

The [FeFe]- and [NiFe]-hydrogenases catalyze the formal interconversion between hydrogen and protons and electrons, possess characteristic non-protein ligands at their catalytic sites and thus share common mechanistic features. Despite the similarities between these two types of hydrogenases, they clearly have distinct evolutionary origins and likely emerged from different selective pressures. [FeFe]-hydrogenases are widely distributed in fermentative anaerobic microorganisms and likely evolved under selective pressure to couple hydrogen production to the recycling of electron carriers that accumulate during anaerobic metabolism. In contrast, many [NiFe]-hydrogenases catalyze hydrogen oxidation as part of energy metabolism and were likely key enzymes in early life and arguably represent the predecessors of modern respiratory metabolism. Although the reversible combination of protons and electrons to generate hydrogen gas is the simplest of chemical reactions, the [FeFe]- and [NiFe]-hydrogenases have distinct mechanisms and differ in the fundamental chemistry associated with proton transfer and control of electron flow that also help to define catalytic bias. A unifying feature of these enzymes is that hydrogen activation itself has been restricted to one solution involving diatomic ligands (carbon monoxide and cyanide) bound to an Fe ion. On the other hand, and quite remarkably, the biosynthetic mechanisms to produce these ligands are exclusive to each type of enzyme. Furthermore, these mechanisms represent two independent solutions to the formation of complex bioinorganic active sites for catalyzing the simplest of chemical reactions, reversible hydrogen oxidation. As such, the [FeFe]- and [NiFe]-hydrogenases are arguably the most profound case of convergent evolution. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Fe/S proteins: Analysis, structure, function, biogenesis and diseases.

Depth-stratified functional and taxonomic niche specialization in the 'core' and 'flexible' Pacific Ocean Virome

Microbes drive myriad ecosystem processes, and their viruses modulate microbial-driven processes through mortality, horizontal gene transfer, and metabolic reprogramming by viral-encoded auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs). However, our knowledge of viral roles in the oceans is primarily limited to surface waters. Here we assess the depth distribution of protein clusters (PCs) in the first large-scale quantitative viral metagenomic data set that spans much of the pelagic depth continuum (the Pacific Ocean Virome; POV). This established 'core' (180 PCs; one-third new to science) and 'flexible' (423K PCs) community gene sets, including niche-defining genes in the latter (385 and 170 PCs are exclusive and core to the photic and aphotic zones, respectively). Taxonomic annotation suggested that tailed phages are ubiquitous, but not abundant (<5% of PCs) and revealed depth-related taxonomic patterns. Functional annotation, coupled with extensive analyses to document non-viral DNA contamination, uncovered 32 new AMGs (9 core, 20 photic and 3 aphotic) that introduce ways in which viruses manipulate infected host metabolism, and parallel depth-stratified host adaptations (for example, photic zone genes for iron-sulphur cluster modulation for phage production, and aphotic zone genes for high-pressure deep-sea survival). Finally, significant vertical flux of photic zone viruses to the deep sea was detected, which is critical for interpreting depth-related patterns in nature. Beyond the ecological advances outlined here, this catalog of viral core, flexible and niche-defining genes provides a resource for future investigation into the organization, function and evolution of microbial molecular networks to mechanistically understand and model viral roles in the biosphere.

H-cluster assembly during maturation of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase

The organometallic H-cluster at the active site of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase serves as the site of reversible binding and reduction of protons to produce H2. The H-cluster is unique in biology, and consists of a 2Fe subcluster tethered to a typical [4Fe-4S] cluster by a single cysteine ligand. The remaining ligands to the 2Fe subcluster include three carbon monoxides, two cyanides, and a dithiomethylamine. This mini-review will focus on the significant advances in recent years in understanding the pathway for H-cluster biosynthesis, as well as the structures, roles, and mechanisms of the three enzymes directly involved.

[FeFe]-hydrogenase maturation

Hydrogenases are metalloenzymes that catalyze the reversible reduction of protons at unusual metal centers. This Current Topic discusses recent advances in elucidating the steps involved in the biosynthesis of the complex metal cluster at the [FeFe]-hydrogenase (HydA) active site, known as the H-cluster. The H-cluster is composed of a 2Fe subcluster that is anchored within the active site by a bridging cysteine thiolate to a [4Fe-4S] cubane. The 2Fe subcluster contains carbon monoxide, cyanide, and bridging dithiolate ligands. H-cluster biosynthesis is now understood to occur stepwise; standard iron-sulfur cluster assembly machinery builds the [4Fe-4S] cubane of the H-cluster, while three specific maturase enzymes known as HydE, HydF, and HydG assemble the 2Fe subcluster. HydE and HydG are both radical S-adenosylmethionine enzymes that interact with an iron-sulfur cluster binding GTPase scaffold, HydF, during the construction of the 2Fe subcluster moiety. In an unprecedented biochemical reaction, HydG cleaves tyrosine and decomposes the resulting dehydroglycine into carbon monoxide and cyanide ligands. The role of HydE in the biosynthetic pathway remains undefined, although it is hypothesized to be critical for the synthesis of the bridging dithiolate. HydF is the site where the complete 2Fe subcluster is formed and ultimately delivered to the immature hydrogenase protein in the final step of [FeFe]-hydrogenase maturation. This work addresses the roles of and interactions among HydE, HydF, HydG, and HydA in the formation of the mature [FeFe]-hydrogenase.

Escherichia coli RIC is able to donate iron to iron-sulfur clusters

Escherichia coli RIC (Repair of Iron Centers) is a diiron protein previously reported to be involved in the repair of iron-sulfur proteins damaged by oxidative or nitrosative stresses, and proposed to act as an iron donor. This possible role of RIC was now examined specifically by evaluating its ability to donate iron ions to apo-iron-sulfur proteins, determining the iron binding constants and assessing the lability of its iron ions. We show, by UV-visible, EPR and resonance Raman spectroscopies that RIC may participate in the synthesis of an iron-sulfur cluster in the apo-forms of the spinach ferredoxin and IscU when in the presence of the sulfide donating system IscS and L-cysteine. Iron binding assays allowed determining the as-isolated and fully reduced RIC dissociation constants for the ferric and ferrous iron of 10-27 M and 10-13 M, respectively. Mössbauer studies revealed that the RIC iron ions are labile, namely when the center is in the mixed-valence redox form as compared with the (μ-oxo) diferric one. Altogether, these results suggest that RIC is capable of delivering iron for the formation of iron-sulfur clusters.

Nonenzymatic synthesis of the P-cluster in the nitrogenase MoFe protein: evidence of the involvement of all-ferrous [Fe4S4](0) intermediates

The P-cluster in the nitrogenase MoFe protein is a [Fe₈S₇] cluster and represents the most complex FeS cluster found in Nature. To date, the exact mechanism of the in vivo synthesis of the P-cluster remains unclear. What is known is that the precursor to the P-cluster is a pair of neighboring [Fe₄S₄]-like clusters found on the ΔnifH MoFe protein, a protein expressed in the absence of the nitrogenase Fe protein (NifH). Moreover, incubation of the ΔnifH MoFe protein with NifH and MgATP results in the synthesis of the MoFe protein P-clusters. To improve our understanding of the mechanism of this reaction, we conducted a magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopic study of the [Fe₄S₄]-like clusters on the ΔnifH MoFe protein. Reducing the ΔnifH MoFe protein with Ti(III) citrate results in the quenching of the S = ¹/₂ electron paramagnetic resonance signal associated with the [Fe₄S₄]⁺ state of the clusters. MCD spectroscopy reveals this reduction results in all four 4Fe clusters being converted into the unusual, all-ferrous [Fe₄S₄]⁰ state. Subsequent increases of the redox potential generate new clusters. Most significantly, one of these newly formed clusters is the P-cluster, which represents approximately 20–25% of the converted Fe concentration. The other two clusters are an X cluster, of unknown structure, and a classic [Fe₄S₄] cluster, which represents approximately 30–35% of the Fe concentration. Diamagnetic FeS clusters may also have been generated but, because of their low spectral intensity, would not have been identified. These results demonstrate that the nitrogenase P-cluster can be generated in the absence of NifH and MgATP.

Inferring the relation between transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation from expression compendia

Background

Publicly available expression compendia that measure both mRNAs and sRNAs provide a promising resource to simultaneously infer the transcriptional and the posttranscriptional network. To maximally exploit the information contained in such compendia, we propose an analysis flow that combines publicly available expression compendia and sequence-based predictions to infer novel sRNA-target interactions and to reconstruct the relation between the sRNA and the transcriptional network.

Results

We relied on module inference to construct modules of coexpressed genes (sRNAs). TFs and sRNAs were assigned to these modules using the state-of-the-art inference techniques LeMoNe and Context Likelihood of Relatedness (CLR). Combining these expressions with sequence-based sRNA-target interactions allowed us to predict 30 novel sRNA-target interactions comprising 14 sRNAs. Our results highlight the role of the posttranscriptional network in finetuning the transcriptional regulation, e.g. by intra-operonic regulation.

Conclusion

In this work we show how strategies that combine expression information with sequence-based predictions can help unveiling the intricate interaction between the transcriptional and the posttranscriptional network in prokaryotic model systems.

Evolutionary and biotechnological implications of robust hydrogenase activity in halophilic strains of Tetraselmis

Although significant advances in H2 photoproduction have recently been realized in fresh water algae (e.g. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii), relatively few studies have focused on H2 production and hydrogenase adaptations in marine or halophilic algae. Salt water organisms likely offer several advantages for biotechnological H2 production due to the global abundance of salt water, decreased H2 and O2 solubility in saline and hypersaline systems, and the ability of extracellular NaCl levels to influence metabolism. We screened unialgal isolates obtained from hypersaline ecosystems in the southwest United States and identified two distinct halophilic strains of the genus Tetraselmis (GSL1 and QNM1) that exhibit both robust fermentative and photo H2-production activities. The influence of salinity (3.5%, 5.5% and 7.0% w/v NaCl) on H2 production was examined during anoxic acclimation, with the greatest in vivo H2-production rates observed at 7.0% NaCl. These Tetraselmis strains maintain robust hydrogenase activity even after 24 h of anoxic acclimation and show increased hydrogenase activity relative to C. reinhardtii after extended anoxia. Transcriptional analysis of Tetraselmis GSL1 enabled sequencing of the cDNA encoding the FeFe-hydrogenase structural enzyme (HYDA) and its maturation proteins (HYDE, HYDEF and HYDG). In contrast to freshwater Chlorophyceae, the halophilic Tetraselmis GSL1 strain likely encodes a single HYDA and two copies of HYDE, one of which is fused to HYDF. Phylogenetic analyses of HYDA and concatenated HYDA, HYDE, HYDF and HYDG in Tetraselmis GSL1 fill existing knowledge gaps in the evolution of algal hydrogenases and indicate that the algal hydrogenases sequenced to date are derived from a common ancestor. This is consistent with recent hypotheses that suggest fermentative metabolism in the majority of eukaryotes is derived from a common base set of enzymes that emerged early in eukaryotic evolution with subsequent losses in some organisms.

Electronic and molecular structures of the active-site H-cluster in [FeFe]-hydrogenase determined by site-selective X-ray spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

Site-selective X-ray spectroscopy discriminated the cubane and diiron units in the H-cluster of [FeFe]-hydrogenase revealing its electronic and structural configurations.

Physical and functional interactions of a monothiol glutaredoxin and an iron sulfur cluster carrier protein with the sulfur-donating radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine enzyme MiaB

The biosynthesis of iron sulfur (FeS) clusters, their trafficking from initial assembly on scaffold proteins via carrier proteins to final incorporation into FeS apoproteins, is a highly coordinated process enabled by multiprotein systems encoded in iscRSUAhscBAfdx and sufABCDSE operons in Escherichia coli. Although these systems are believed to encode all factors required for initial cluster assembly and transfer to FeS carrier proteins, accessory factors such as monothiol glutaredoxin, GrxD, and the FeS carrier protein NfuA are located outside of these defined systems. These factors have been suggested to function both as shuttle proteins acting to transfer clusters between scaffold and carrier proteins and in the final stages of FeS protein assembly by transferring clusters to client FeS apoproteins. Here we implicate both of these factors in client protein interactions. We demonstrate specific interactions between GrxD, NfuA, and the methylthiolase MiaB, a radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent enzyme involved in the maturation of a subset of tRNAs. We show that GrxD and NfuA physically interact with MiaB with affinities compatible with an in vivo function. We furthermore demonstrate that NfuA is able to transfer its cluster in vitro to MiaB, whereas GrxD is unable to do so. The relevance of these interactions was demonstrated by linking the activity of MiaB with GrxD and NfuA in vivo. We observe a severe defect in in vivo MiaB activity in cells lacking both GrxD and NfuA, suggesting that these proteins could play complementary roles in maturation and repair of MiaB.

Insertion mutants in Drosophila melanogaster Hsc20 halt larval growth and lead to reduced iron-sulfur cluster enzyme activities and impaired iron homeostasis

Despite the prominence of iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) proteins in bioenergetics, intermediary metabolism, and redox regulation of cellular, mitochondrial, and nuclear processes, these proteins have been given scarce attention in Drosophila. Moreover, biosynthesis and delivery of ISCs to target proteins requires a highly regulated molecular network that spans different cellular compartments. The only Drosophila ISC biosynthetic protein studied to date is frataxin, in attempts to model Friedreich's ataxia, a disease arising from reduced expression of the human frataxin homologue. One of several proteins involved in ISC biogenesis is heat shock protein cognate 20 (Hsc20). Here we characterize two piggyBac insertion mutants in Drosophila Hsc20 that display larval growth arrest and deficiencies in aconitase and succinate dehydrogenase activities, but not in isocitrate dehydrogenase activity; phenotypes also observed with ubiquitous frataxin RNA interference. Furthermore, a disruption of iron homeostasis in the mutant flies was evidenced by an apparent reduction in induction of intestinal ferritin with ferric iron accumulating in a subcellular pattern reminiscent of mitochondria. These phenotypes were specific to intestinal cell types that regulate ferritin expression, but were notably absent in the iron cells where ferritin is constitutively expressed and apparently translated independently of iron regulatory protein 1A. Hsc20 mutant flies represent an independent tool to disrupt ISC biogenesis in vivo without using the RNA interference machinery.

Structure and spectroscopy of a bidentate bis-homocitrate dioxo-molybdenum(VI) complex: insights relevant to the structure and properties of the FeMo-cofactor in nitrogenase

Direct reaction of potassium molybdate (with natural abundance Mo or enriched with (92)Mo or (100)Mo) with excess hydrolyzed homocitric acid-γ-lactone in acidic solution resulted in the isolation of a cis-dioxo bis-homocitrato molybdenum(VI) complex, K(2)[*MoO(2)(R,S-H(2)homocit)(2)]·2H(2)O (1) (*Mo=Mo, 1; (92)Mo, 2; (100)Mo, 3; H(4)homocit=homocitric acid-γ-lactone·H(2)O) and K(2)[MoO(2)((18)O-R,S-H(2)homocit)(2)]·2H(2)O (4). The complex has been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, solid and solution (13)C NMR, and single crystal x-ray diffraction analysis. The molybdenum atom in (1) is quasi-octahedrally coordinated by two cis oxo groups and two bidentate homocitrate ligands. The latter coordinates via its α-alkoxy and α-carboxy groups, while the β- and γ-carboxylic acid groups remain uncomplexed, similar to the coordination mode of homocitrate in the Mo-cofactor of nitrogenase. In the IR spectra, the MoO stretching modes near 900 cm(-1) show 2-3 cm(-1) red- and blue-shifts for the (92)Mo-complex (2) and (100)Mo-complex (3) respectively compared with the natural abundance version (1). At lower frequencies, bands at 553 and 540 cm(-1) are assigned to ν(Mo-O) vibrations involving the alkoxide ligand. At higher frequencies, bands in the 1700-1730 cm(-1) region are assigned to stretching modes of protonated carboxylates. In addition, a band at 1675 cm(-1) was observed that may be analogous to a band seen at 1677 cm(-1) in nitrogenase photolysis studies. The solution behavior of (1) in D(2)O was probed with (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra. An obvious dissociation of homocitrate was found, even though bound to the high valent Mo(VI). This suggests the likely lability of coordinated homocitrate in the FeMo-cofactor with its lower valence Mo(IV).

Emerging themes in radical SAM chemistry

Enzymes in the radical SAM (RS) superfamily catalyze a wide variety of reactions through unique radical chemistry. The characteristic markers of the superfamily include a [4Fe-4S] cluster coordinated to the protein via a cysteine triad motif, typically CX(3)CX(2)C, with the fourth iron coordinated by S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). The SAM serves as a precursor for a 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical, the central intermediate in nearly all RS enzymes studied to date. The SAM-bound [4Fe-4S] cluster is located within a partial or full triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) barrel where the radical chemistry occurs protected from the surroundings. In addition to the TIM barrel and a RS [4Fe-4S] cluster, many members of the superfamily contain additional domains and/or additional Fe-S clusters. Recently characterized superfamily members are providing new examples of the remarkable range of reactions that can be catalyzed, as well as new structural and mechanistic insights into these fascinating reactions.

The E. coli SufS-SufE sulfur transfer system is more resistant to oxidative stress than IscS-IscU

During oxidative stress in Escherichiacoli, the SufABCDSE stress response pathway mediates iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biogenesis rather than the Isc pathway. To determine why the Suf pathway is favored under stress conditions, the stress response SufS-SufE sulfur transfer pathway and the basal housekeeping IscS-IscU pathway were directly compared. We found that SufS-SufE cysteine desulfurase activity is significantly higher than IscS-IscU at physiological cysteine concentrations and after exposure to H(2)O(2). Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that IscS-IscU is more susceptible than SufS-SufE to oxidative modification by H(2)O(2). These important results provide biochemical insight into the stress resistance of the Suf pathway.

New insights into [FeFe] hydrogenase activation and maturase function

[FeFe] hydrogenases catalyze H(2) production using the H-cluster, an iron-sulfur cofactor that contains carbon monoxide (CO), cyanide (CN(-)), and a dithiolate bridging ligand. The HydE, HydF, and HydG maturases assist in assembling the H-cluster and maturing hydrogenases into their catalytically active form. Characterization of these maturases and in vitro hydrogenase activation methods have helped elucidate steps in the H-cluster biosynthetic pathway such as the HydG-catalyzed generation of the CO and CN(-) ligands from free tyrosine. We have refined our cell-free approach for H-cluster synthesis and hydrogenase maturation by using separately expressed and purified HydE, HydF, and HydG. In this report, we illustrate how substrates and protein constituents influence hydrogenase activation, and for the first time, we show that each maturase can function catalytically during the maturation process. With precise control over the biomolecular components, we also provide evidence for H-cluster synthesis in the absence of either HydE or HydF, and we further show that hydrogenase activation can occur without exogenous tyrosine. Given these findings, we suggest a new reaction sequence for the [FeFe] hydrogenase maturation pathway. In our model, HydG independently synthesizes an iron-based compound with CO and CN(-) ligands that is a precursor to the H-cluster [2Fe](H) subunit, and which we have termed HydG-co. We further propose that HydF is a transferase that stabilizes HydG-co and also shuttles the complete [2Fe](H) subcluster to the hydrogenase, a translocation process that may be catalyzed by HydE. In summary, this report describes the first example of reconstructing the [FeFe] hydrogenase maturation pathway using purified maturases and subsequently utilizing this in vitro system to better understand the roles of HydE, HydF, and HydG.

The [4Fe-4S]-cluster coordination of [FeFe]-hydrogenase maturation protein HydF as revealed by EPR and HYSCORE spectroscopies

[FeFe] hydrogenases are key enzymes for bio(photo)production of molecular hydrogen, and several efforts are underway to understand how their complex active site is assembled. This site contains a [4Fe-4S]-2Fe cluster and three conserved maturation proteins are required for its biosynthesis. Among them, HydF has a double task of scaffold, in which the dinuclear iron precursor is chemically modified by the two other maturases, and carrier to transfer this unit to a hydrogenase containing a preformed [4Fe-4S]-cluster. This dual role is associated with the capability of HydF to bind and dissociate an iron-sulfur center, due to the presence of the conserved FeS-cluster binding sequence CxHx(46-53)HCxxC. The recently solved three-dimensional structure of HydF from Thermotoga neapolitana described the domain containing the three cysteines which are supposed to bind the FeS cluster, and identified the position of two conserved histidines which could provide the fourth iron ligand. The functional role of two of these cysteines in the activation of [FeFe]-hydrogenases has been confirmed by site-specific mutagenesis. On the other hand, the contribution of the three cysteines to the FeS cluster coordination sphere is still to be demonstrated. Furthermore, the potential role of the two histidines in [FeFe]-hydrogenase maturation has never been addressed, and their involvement as fourth ligand for the cluster coordination is controversial. In this work we combined site-specific mutagenesis with EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) and HYSCORE (hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy) to assign a role to these conserved residues, in both cluster coordination and hydrogenase maturation/activation, in HydF proteins from different microorganisms.

Emerging paradigms for complex iron-sulfur cofactor assembly and insertion

[FeFe]-hydrogenses and molybdenum (Mo)-nitrogenase are evolutionarily unrelated enzymes with unique complex iron-sulfur cofactors at their active sites. The H cluster of [FeFe]-hydrogenases and the FeMo cofactor of Mo-nitrogenase require specific maturation machinery for their proper synthesis and insertion into the structural enzymes. Recent insights reveal striking similarities in the biosynthetic pathways of these complex cofactors. For both systems, simple iron-sulfur cluster precursors are modified on assembly scaffolds by the activity of radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzymes. Radical SAM enzymes are responsible for the synthesis and insertion of the unique nonprotein ligands presumed to be key structural determinants for their respective catalytic activities. Maturation culminates in the transfer of the intact cluster assemblies to a cofactor-less structural protein recipient. Required roles for nucleotide binding and hydrolysis have been implicated in both systems, but the specific role for these requirements remain unclear. In this review, we highlight the progress on [FeFe]-hydrogenase H cluster and nitrogenase FeMo-cofactor assembly in the context of these emerging paradigms.

Stress response and virulence functions of the Acinetobacter baumannii NfuA Fe-S scaffold protein

To successfully establish an infection, Acinetobacter baumannii must overcome the iron starvation and oxidative stress imposed by the human host. Although previous studies have shown that ATCC 19606(T) cells acquire iron via the acinetobactin-mediated siderophore system, little is known about intracellular iron metabolism and its relation to oxidative stress in this pathogen. Screening of an insertion library resulted in the isolation of the ATCC 19606(T) derivative 1644, which was unable to grow in iron-chelated media. Rescue cloning and DNA sequencing showed that the insertion inactivated a gene coding for an NfuA Fe-S cluster protein ortholog, without any effect on the expression of the acinetobactin system. The nfuA mutant was also more sensitive to hydrogen peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide than the parental strain. The iron chelation- and oxidative-stress-deficient responses of this mutant were corrected when complemented with either the ATCC 19606(T) parental allele or the Escherichia coli MG1655 nfuA ortholog. Furthermore, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analyses showed that the ATCC 19606(T) NfuA ortholog has iron-binding properties compatible with the formation of [Fe-S] cluster protein. Ex vivo and in vivo assays using human epithelial cells and Galleria mellonella, respectively, showed that NfuA is critical for bacterial growth independent of their capacity to acquire iron or the presence of excess of free iron. Taken together, these observations indicate that the A. baumannii NfuA ortholog plays a role in intracellular iron utilization and protection from oxidative-stress responses that this pathogen could encounter during the infection of the human host.

The hows and whys of aerobic H2 metabolism

The bacterial [NiFe]-hydrogenases have been classified as either 'standard' or 'O2-tolerant' based on their ability to function in the presence of O2. Typically, these enzymes contain four redox-active metal centers: a Ni-Fe-CO-2CN- active site and three electron-transferring Fe-S clusters. Recent research suggests that, rather than differences at the catalytic active site, it is a novel Fe-S cluster electron transfer (ET) relay that controls how [NiFe]-hydrogenases recover from O2 attack. In light of recent structural data and mutagenic studies this article reviews the molecular mechanism of O2-tolerance in [NiFe]-hydrogenases and discusses the biosynthesis of the unique Fe-S relay.

Trace metal requirements for microbial enzymes involved in the production and consumption of methane and nitrous oxide

Fluxes of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere are heavily influenced by microbiological activity. Microbial enzymes involved in the production and consumption of greenhouse gases often contain metal cofactors. While extensive research has examined the influence of Fe bioavailability on microbial CO(2) cycling, fewer studies have explored metal requirements for microbial production and consumption of the second- and third-most abundant greenhouse gases, methane (CH(4)), and nitrous oxide (N(2)O). Here we review the current state of biochemical, physiological, and environmental research on transition metal requirements for microbial CH(4) and N(2)O cycling. Methanogenic archaea require large amounts of Fe, Ni, and Co (and some Mo/W and Zn). Low bioavailability of Fe, Ni, and Co limits methanogenesis in pure and mixed cultures and environmental studies. Anaerobic methane oxidation by anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) likely occurs via reverse methanogenesis since ANME possess most of the enzymes in the methanogenic pathway. Aerobic CH(4) oxidation uses Cu or Fe for the first step depending on Cu availability, and additional Fe, Cu, and Mo for later steps. N(2)O production via classical anaerobic denitrification is primarily Fe-based, whereas aerobic pathways (nitrifier denitrification and archaeal ammonia oxidation) require Cu in addition to, or possibly in place of, Fe. Genes encoding the Cu-containing N(2)O reductase, the only known enzyme capable of microbial N(2)O conversion to N(2), have only been found in classical denitrifiers. Accumulation of N(2)O due to low Cu has been observed in pure cultures and a lake ecosystem, but not in marine systems. Future research is needed on metalloenzymes involved in the production of N(2)O by enrichment cultures of ammonia oxidizing archaea, biological mechanisms for scavenging scarce metals, and possible links between metal bioavailability and greenhouse gas fluxes in anaerobic environments where metals may be limiting due to sulfide-metal scavenging.

Radical AdoMet enzymes in complex metal cluster biosynthesis

Radical S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) enzymes comprise a large superfamily of proteins that engage in a diverse series of biochemical transformations through generation of the highly reactive 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical intermediate. Recent advances into the biosynthesis of unique iron-sulfur (FeS)-containing cofactors such as the H-cluster in [FeFe]-hydrogenase, the FeMo-co in nitrogenase, as well as the iron-guanylylpyridinol (FeGP) cofactor in [Fe]-hydrogenase have implicated new roles for radical AdoMet enzymes in the biosynthesis of complex inorganic cofactors. Radical AdoMet enzymes in conjunction with scaffold proteins engage in modifying ubiquitous FeS precursors into unique clusters, through novel amino acid decomposition and sulfur insertion reactions. The ability of radical AdoMet enzymes to modify common metal centers to unusual metal cofactors may provide important clues into the stepwise evolution of these and other complex bioinorganic catalysts. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Radical SAM enzymes and Radical Enzymology.

Insights into [FeFe]-hydrogenase structure, mechanism, and maturation

Hydrogenases are metalloenzymes that are key to energy metabolism in a variety of microbial communities. Divided into three classes based on their metal content, the [Fe]-, [FeFe]-, and [NiFe]-hydrogenases are evolutionarily unrelated but share similar nonprotein ligand assemblies at their active site metal centers that are not observed elsewhere in biology. These nonprotein ligands are critical in tuning enzyme reactivity, and their synthesis and incorporation into the active site clusters require a number of specific maturation enzymes. The wealth of structural information on different classes and different states of hydrogenase enzymes, biosynthetic intermediates, and maturation enzymes has contributed significantly to understanding the biochemistry of hydrogen metabolism. This review highlights the unique structural features of hydrogenases and emphasizes the recent biochemical and structural work that has created a clearer picture of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase maturation pathway.

S K-edge XAS and DFT calculations on SAM dependent pyruvate formate-lyase activating enzyme: nature of interaction between the Fe4S4 cluster and SAM and its role in reactivity

S K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy on the resting oxidized and the S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) bound forms of pyruvate formate-lyase activating enzyme are reported. The data show an increase in pre-edge intensity, which is due to additional contributions from sulfide and thiolate of the Fe(4)S(4) cluster into the C-S σ* orbital. This experimentally demonstrates that there is a backbonding interaction between the Fe(4)S(4) cluster and C-S σ* orbitals of SAM in this inner sphere complex. DFT calculations that reproduce the data indicate that this backbonding is enhanced in the reduced form and that this configurational interaction between the donor and acceptor orbitals facilitates the electron transfer from the cluster to the SAM, which otherwise has a large outer sphere electron transfer barrier. The energy of the reductive cleavage of the C-S bond is sensitive to the dielectric of the protein in the immediate vicinity of the site as a high dielectric stabilizes the more charge separated reactant increasing the reaction barrier. This may provide a mechanism for generation of the 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical upon substrate binding.

O2 reactions at the six-iron active site (H-cluster) in [FeFe]-hydrogenase

Irreversible inhibition by molecular oxygen (O(2)) complicates the use of [FeFe]-hydrogenases (HydA) for biotechnological hydrogen (H(2)) production. Modification by O(2) of the active site six-iron complex denoted as the H-cluster ([4Fe4S]-2Fe(H)) of HydA1 from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was characterized by x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the iron K-edge. In a time-resolved approach, HydA1 protein samples were prepared after increasing O(2) exposure periods at 0 °C. A kinetic analysis of changes in their x-ray absorption near edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra revealed three phases of O(2) reactions. The first phase (τ(1) ≤ 4 s) is characterized by the formation of an increased number of Fe-O,C bonds, elongation of the Fe-Fe distance in the binuclear unit (2Fe(H)), and oxidation of one iron ion. The second phase (τ(2) ≈ 15 s) causes a ∼50% decrease of the number of ∼2.7-Å Fe-Fe distances in the [4Fe4S] subcluster and the oxidation of one more iron ion. The final phase (τ(3) ≤ 1000 s) leads to the disappearance of most Fe-Fe and Fe-S interactions and further iron oxidation. These results favor a reaction sequence, which involves 1) oxygenation at 2Fe(H(+)) leading to the formation of a reactive oxygen species-like superoxide (O(2)(-)), followed by 2) H-cluster inactivation and destabilization due to ROS attack on the [4Fe4S] cluster to convert it into an apparent [3Fe4S](+) unit, leading to 3) complete O(2)-induced degradation of the remainders of the H-cluster. This mechanism suggests that blocking of ROS diffusion paths and/or altering the redox potential of the [4Fe4S] cubane by genetic engineering may yield improved O(2) tolerance in [FeFe]-hydrogenase.