1
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Harris DF, Rucker HR, Garcia AK, Yang ZY, Chang SD, Feinsilber H, Kaçar B, Seefeldt LC. Ancient nitrogenases are ATP dependent. mBio 2024:e0127124. [PMID: 38869277 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01271-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Life depends on a conserved set of chemical energy currencies that are relics of early biochemistry. One of these is ATP, a molecule that, when paired with a divalent metal ion such as Mg2+, can be hydrolyzed to support numerous cellular and molecular processes. Despite its centrality to extant biochemistry, it is unclear whether ATP supported the function of ancient enzymes. We investigate the evolutionary necessity of ATP by experimentally reconstructing an ancestral variant of the N2-reducing enzyme nitrogenase. The Proterozoic ancestor is predicted to be ~540-2,300 million years old, post-dating the Great Oxidation Event. Growth rates under nitrogen-fixing conditions are ~80% of those of wild type in Azotobacter vinelandii. In the extant enzyme, the hydrolysis of two MgATP is coupled to electron transfer to support substrate reduction. The ancestor has a strict requirement for ATP with no other nucleotide triphosphate analogs (GTP, ITP, and UTP) supporting activity. Alternative divalent metal ions (Fe2+, Co2+, and Mn2+) support activity with ATP but with diminished activities compared to Mg2+, similar to the extant enzyme. Additionally, it is shown that the ancestor has an identical efficiency in ATP hydrolyzed per electron transferred to the extant of two. Our results provide direct laboratory evidence of ATP usage by an ancient enzyme.IMPORTANCELife depends on energy-carrying molecules to power many sustaining processes. There is evidence that these molecules may predate the rise of life on Earth, but how and when these dependencies formed is unknown. The resurrection of ancient enzymes provides a unique tool to probe the enzyme's function and usage of energy-carrying molecules, shedding light on their biochemical origins. Through experimental reconstruction, this research investigates the ancestral dependence of a nitrogen-fixing enzyme on the energy carrier ATP, a requirement for function in the modern enzyme. We show that the resurrected ancestor does not have generalist nucleotide specificity. Rather, the ancestor has a strict requirement for ATP, like the modern enzyme, with similar function and efficiency. The findings elucidate the early-evolved necessity of energy-yielding molecules, delineating their role in ancient biochemical processes. Ultimately, these insights contribute to unraveling the intricate tapestry of evolutionary biology and the origins of life-sustaining dependencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek F Harris
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Holly R Rucker
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Amanda K Garcia
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Zhi-Yong Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Scott D Chang
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hannah Feinsilber
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Betül Kaçar
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Lance C Seefeldt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
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2
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Maslać N, Cadoux C, Bolte P, Murken F, Gu W, Milton RD, Wagner T. Structural comparison of (hyper-)thermophilic nitrogenase reductases from three marine Methanococcales. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38696373 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The nitrogenase reductase NifH catalyses ATP-dependent electron delivery to the Mo-nitrogenase, a reaction central to biological dinitrogen (N2) fixation. While NifHs have been extensively studied in bacteria, structural information about their archaeal counterparts is limited. Archaeal NifHs are considered more ancient, particularly those from Methanococcales, a group of marine hydrogenotrophic methanogens, which includes diazotrophs growing at temperatures near 92 °C. Here, we structurally and biochemically analyse NifHs from three Methanococcales, offering the X-ray crystal structures from meso-, thermo-, and hyperthermophilic methanogens. While NifH from Methanococcus maripaludis (37 °C) was obtained through heterologous recombinant expression, the proteins from Methanothermococcus thermolithotrophicus (65 °C) and Methanocaldococcus infernus (85 °C) were natively purified from the diazotrophic archaea. The structures from M. thermolithotrophicus crystallised as isolated exhibit high flexibility. In contrast, the complexes of NifH with MgADP obtained from the three methanogens are superposable, more rigid, and present remarkable structural conservation with their homologues. They retain key structural features of P-loop NTPases and share similar electrostatic profiles with the counterpart from the bacterial model organism Azotobacter vinelandii. In comparison to the NifH from the phylogenetically distant Methanosarcina acetivorans, these reductases do not cross-react significantly with Mo-nitrogenase from A. vinelandii. However, they associate with bacterial nitrogenase when ADP·AlF 4 - $$ {\mathrm{AlF}}_4^{-} $$ is added to mimic a transient reactive state. Accordingly, detailed surface analyses suggest that subtle substitutions would affect optimal binding during the catalytic cycle between the NifH from Methanococcales and the bacterial nitrogenase, implying differences in the N2-machinery from these ancient archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevena Maslać
- Microbial Metabolism Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Cécile Cadoux
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland
- National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Catalysis, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pauline Bolte
- Microbial Metabolism Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Fenja Murken
- Microbial Metabolism Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Wenyu Gu
- Laboratory of Microbial Physiology and Resource Biorecovery, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédéral de Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ross D Milton
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland
- National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Catalysis, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tristan Wagner
- Microbial Metabolism Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
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3
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Pellows LM, Vansuch GE, Chica B, Yang ZY, Ruzicka JL, Willis MA, Clinger A, Brown KA, Seefeldt LC, Peters JW, Dukovic G, Mulder DW, King PW. Low-temperature trapping of N2 reduction reaction intermediates in nitrogenase MoFe protein-CdS quantum dot complexes. J Chem Phys 2023; 159:235102. [PMID: 38117020 DOI: 10.1063/5.0170405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The biological reduction of N2 to ammonia requires the ATP-dependent, sequential delivery of electrons from the Fe protein to the MoFe protein of nitrogenase. It has been demonstrated that CdS nanocrystals can replace the Fe protein to deliver photoexcited electrons to the MoFe protein. Herein, light-activated electron delivery within the CdS:MoFe protein complex was achieved in the frozen state, revealing that all the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) active E-state intermediates in the catalytic cycle can be trapped and characterized by EPR spectroscopy. Prior to illumination, the CdS:MoFe protein complex EPR spectrum was composed of a S = 3/2 rhombic signal (g = 4.33, 3.63, and 2.01) consistent with the FeMo-cofactor in the resting state, E0. Illumination for sequential 1-h periods at 233 K under 1 atm of N2 led to a cumulative attenuation of E0 by 75%. This coincided with the appearance of S = 3/2 and S = 1/2 signals assigned to two-electron (E2) and four-electron (E4) reduced states of the FeMo-cofactor, together with additional S = 1/2 signals consistent with the formation of E6 and E8 states. Simulations of EPR spectra allowed quantification of the different E-state populations, along with mapping of these populations onto the Lowe-Thorneley kinetic scheme. The outcome of this work demonstrates that the photochemical delivery of electrons to the MoFe protein can be used to populate all of the EPR active E-state intermediates of the nitrogenase MoFe protein cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Pellows
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
| | - Gregory E Vansuch
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA
| | - Bryant Chica
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA
| | - Zhi-Yong Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, USA
| | - Jesse L Ruzicka
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
| | - Mark A Willis
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, USA
| | - Andrew Clinger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, USA
| | - Katherine A Brown
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA
| | - Lance C Seefeldt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, USA
| | - John W Peters
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
| | - Gordana Dukovic
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - David W Mulder
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA
| | - Paul W King
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA
- Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
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4
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Einsle O. On the Shoulders of Giants-Reaching for Nitrogenase. Molecules 2023; 28:7959. [PMID: 38138449 PMCID: PMC10745432 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28247959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Only a single enzyme system-nitrogenase-carries out the conversion of atmospheric N2 into bioavailable ammonium, an essential prerequisite for all organismic life. The reduction of this inert substrate at ambient conditions poses unique catalytic challenges that strain our mechanistic understanding even after decades of intense research. Structural biology has added its part to this greater tapestry, and in this review, I provide a personal (and highly biased) summary of the parts of the story to which I had the privilege to contribute. It focuses on the crystallographic analysis of the three isoforms of nitrogenases at high resolution and the binding of ligands and inhibitors to the active-site cofactors of the enzyme. In conjunction with the wealth of available biochemical, biophysical, and spectroscopic data on the protein, this has led us to a mechanistic hypothesis based on an elementary mechanism of repetitive hydride formation and insertion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Einsle
- Institute of Biochemistry, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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5
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Tokmina-Lukaszewska M, Huang Q, Berry L, Kallas H, Peters JW, Seefeldt LC, Raugei S, Bothner B. Fe protein docking transduces conformational changes to MoFe nitrogenase active site in a nucleotide-dependent manner. Commun Chem 2023; 6:254. [PMID: 37980448 PMCID: PMC10657360 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-01046-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia catalyzed by nitrogenase involves a complex series of events, including ATP hydrolysis, electron transfer, and activation of metal clusters for N2 reduction. Early evidence shows that an essential part of the mechanism involves transducing information between the nitrogenase component proteins through conformational dynamics. Here, millisecond time-resolved hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry was used to unravel peptide-level protein motion on the time scale of catalysis of Mo-dependent nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii. Normal mode analysis calculations complemented this data, providing insights into the specific signal transduction pathways that relay information across protein interfaces at distances spanning 100 Å. Together, these results show that conformational changes induced by protein docking are rapidly transduced to the active site, suggesting a specific mechanism for activating the metal cofactor in the enzyme active site.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qi Huang
- Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Luke Berry
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Hayden Kallas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - John W Peters
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Lance C Seefeldt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Simone Raugei
- Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Brian Bothner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
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6
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Vansuch G, Mulder DW, Chica B, Ruzicka JL, Yang ZY, Pellows LM, Willis MA, Brown KA, Seefeldt LC, Peters JW, Dukovic G, King PW. Cryo-annealing of Photoreduced CdS Quantum Dot-Nitrogenase MoFe Protein Complexes Reveals the Kinetic Stability of the E 4(2N2H) Intermediate. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:21165-21169. [PMID: 37729189 PMCID: PMC10557137 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c06832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
A critical step in the mechanism of N2 reduction to 2NH3 catalyzed by the enzyme nitrogenase is the reaction of the four-electron/four-proton reduced intermediate state of the active-site FeMo-cofactor (E4(4H)). This state is a junction in the catalytic mechanism, either relaxing by the reaction of a metal bound Fe-hydride with a proton forming H2 or going forward with N2 binding coupled to the reductive elimination (re) of two Fe-hydrides as H2 to form the E4(2N2H) state. E4(2N2H) can relax to E4(4H) by the oxidative addition (oa) of H2 and release of N2 or can be further reduced in a series of catalytic steps to release 2NH3. If the H2 re/oa mechanism is correct, it requires that oa of H2 be associative with E4(2N2H). In this report, we have taken advantage of CdS quantum dots in complex with MoFe protein to achieve photodriven electron delivery in the frozen state, with cryo-annealing in the dark, to reveal details of the E-state species and to test the stability of E4(2N2H). Illumination of frozen CdS:MoFe protein complexes led to formation of a population of reduced intermediates. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy identified E-state signals including E2 and E4(2N2H), as well as signals suggesting the formation of E6 or E8. It is shown that in the frozen state when pN2 is much greater than pH2, the E4(2N2H) state is kinetically stable, with very limited forward or reverse reaction rates. These results establish that the oa of H2 to the E4(2N2H) state follows an associative reaction mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory
E. Vansuch
- Biosciences
Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - David W. Mulder
- Biosciences
Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Bryant Chica
- Biosciences
Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Jesse L. Ruzicka
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Zhi-Yong Yang
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State
University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Lauren M. Pellows
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Mark A. Willis
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Washington State
University, Pullman, Washington 99163, United States
| | - Katherine A. Brown
- Biosciences
Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Lance C. Seefeldt
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State
University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - John W. Peters
- Institute
of Biological Chemistry, Washington State
University, Pullman, Washington 99163, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Gordana Dukovic
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Materials
Science and Engineering, University of Colorado
Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
- Renewable
and Sustainable Energy Institute, University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Paul W. King
- Biosciences
Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
- Renewable
and Sustainable Energy Institute, University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
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7
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Yang ZY, Badalyan A, Hoffman BM, Dean DR, Seefeldt LC. The Fe Protein Cycle Associated with Nitrogenase Catalysis Requires the Hydrolysis of Two ATP for Each Single Electron Transfer Event. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:5637-5644. [PMID: 36857604 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
A central feature of the current understanding of dinitrogen (N2) reduction by the enzyme nitrogenase is the proposed coupling of the hydrolysis of two ATP, forming two ADP and two Pi, to the transfer of one electron from the Fe protein component to the MoFe protein component, where substrates are reduced. A redox-active [4Fe-4S] cluster associated with the Fe protein is the agent of electron delivery, and it is well known to have a capacity to cycle between a one-electron-reduced [4Fe-4S]1+ state and an oxidized [4Fe-4S]2+ state. Recently, however, it has been shown that certain reducing agents can be used to further reduce the Fe protein [4Fe-4S] cluster to a super-reduced, all-ferrous [4Fe-4S]0 state that can be either diamagnetic (S = 0) or paramagnetic (S = 4). It has been proposed that the super-reduced state might fundamentally alter the existing model for nitrogenase energy utilization by the transfer of two electrons per Fe protein cycle linked to hydrolysis of only two ATP molecules. Here, we measure the number of ATP consumed for each electron transfer under steady-state catalysis while the Fe protein cluster is in the [4Fe-4S]1+ state and when it is in the [4Fe-4S]0 state. Both oxidation states of the Fe protein are found to operate by hydrolyzing two ATP for each single-electron transfer event. Thus, regardless of its initial redox state, the Fe protein transfers only one electron at a time to the MoFe protein in a process that requires the hydrolysis of two ATP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yong Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Artavazd Badalyan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Brian M Hoffman
- Departments of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Dennis R Dean
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Lance C Seefeldt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
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8
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Merriles DM, Knapp AS, Barrera-Casas Y, Sevy A, Sorensen JJ, Morse MD. Bond dissociation energies of diatomic transition metal nitrides. J Chem Phys 2023; 158:084308. [PMID: 36859107 DOI: 10.1063/5.0141182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI) spectroscopy has been used to measure the bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of the diatomic transition metal nitrides ScN, TiN, YN, MoN, RuN, RhN, HfN, OsN, and IrN. Of these, the BDEs of only TiN and HfN had been previously measured. Due to the many ways electrons can be distributed among the d orbitals, these molecules possess an extremely high density of electronic states near the ground separated atom limit. Spin-orbit and nonadiabatic interactions couple these states quite effectively, so that the molecules readily find a path to dissociation when excited above the ground separated atom limit. The result is a sharp drop in ion signal in the R2PI spectrum when the molecule is excited above this limit, allowing the BDE to be readily measured. Using this method, the values D0(ScN) = 3.905(29) eV, D0(TiN) = 5.000(19) eV, D0(YN) = 4.125(24) eV, D0(MoN) = 5.220(4) eV, D0(RuN) = 4.905(3) eV, D0(RhN) = 3.659(32) eV, D0(HfN) = 5.374(4) eV, D0(OsN) = 5.732(3) eV, and D0(IrN) = 5.115(4) eV are obtained. To support the experimental findings, ab initio coupled-cluster calculations extrapolated to the complete basis set limit (CBS) were performed. With a semiempirical correction for spin-orbit effects, these coupled-cluster single double triple-CBS calculations give a mean absolute deviation from the experimental BDE values of 0.20 eV. A discussion of the periodic trends, summaries of previous work, and comparisons to isoelectronic species is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota M Merriles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Annie S Knapp
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | | | - Andrew Sevy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Jason J Sorensen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Michael D Morse
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
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9
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Near ambient N2 fixation on solid electrodes versus enzymes and homogeneous catalysts. Nat Rev Chem 2023; 7:184-201. [PMID: 37117902 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00462-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The Mo/Fe nitrogenase enzyme is unique in its ability to efficiently reduce dinitrogen to ammonia at atmospheric pressures and room temperature. Should an artificial electrolytic device achieve the same feat, it would revolutionize fertilizer production and even provide an energy-dense, truly carbon-free fuel. This Review provides a coherent comparison of recent progress made in dinitrogen fixation on solid electrodes, homogeneous catalysts and nitrogenases. Specific emphasis is placed on systems for which there is unequivocal evidence that dinitrogen reduction has taken place. By establishing the cross-cutting themes and synergies between these systems, we identify viable avenues for future research.
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10
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Furfural Influences Hydrogen Evolution and Energy Conversion in Photo-Fermentation by Rhodobacter capsulatus. Catalysts 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/catal12090979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Furfural, as a typical byproduct produced during the hydrolysis of lignocellulose biomass, is harmful to the photo fermentation hydrogen production. In this work, the effects of furfural on the photo fermentation hydrogen production by Rhodobacter capsulatus using glucose as substrate were investigated. The characteristics of cell growth, hydrogen production, and fermentation end-products with the addition of different concentrations of furfural (0–20 mM) were studied. The results showed that furfural negatively affected the maximum hydrogen production rate and total hydrogen yield. The maximum hydrogen yield of 2.59 ± 0.13 mol-H2/mol-glucose was obtained without furfural. However, 5 mM furfural showed a 40% increase in cell concentration. Furfural in high concentrations can favor the overproduction and accumulation of inhibitive end-products. Further analysis of energy conversion efficiency showed that most of the energy in the substrate was underused and unconverted when the furfural concentration was high. The maximum glucose consumption (93%) was achieved without furfural, while it dramatically declined to 7% with 20 mM furfural addition. The index of half-maximal inhibitory concentration was calculated as 13.40 mM. Moreover, the possible metabolic pathway of furfural and glucose was discussed.
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11
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Dance I. Calculating the chemical mechanism of nitrogenase: new working hypotheses. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:12717-12728. [PMID: 35946501 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt01920e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The enzyme nitrogenase converts N2 to NH3 with stoichiometry N2 + 8H+ + 8e- → 2NH3 + H2. The mechanism is chemically complex with multiple steps that must be consistent with much accumulated experimental information, including exchange of H2 and N2 and the N2-dependent hydrogenation of D2 to HD. Previous investigations have developed a collection of working hypotheses that guide ongoing density functional investigations of mechanistic steps and sequences. These include (i) hypotheses about the serial provision of protons and their conversion to H atoms bonded to S and Fe atoms of the FeMo-co catalytic site, (ii) the migration of H atoms over the surface of FeMo-co, (iii) the roles of His195, (iv) identification of three protein channels, one for the ingress of N2, a separate pathway for the passage of exogenous H2 (D2) and product H2 (HD), and a hydrophilic pathway for egress of product NH3. Two additional working hypotheses are described in this paper. N2 passing along the N2 channel approaches and binds end-on to the exo coordination position of Fe2, with favourable energetics when FeMo-co is pre-hydrogenated. This exo-Fe2-N2 is apparently not reduced but has a promotional role by expanding the reaction zone. A second N2 can enter via the N2 ingress channel and bind at the endo-Fe6 position, where it is surrounded by H atom donors suitable for the N2 → NH3 conversion. It is proposed that this endo-Fe6 position is also the binding site for H2 (generated or exogenous), accounting for the competitive inhibition of N2 reduction by H2. The HD reaction occurs at the endo-Fe6 site, promoted by N2 at the exo-Fe2 site. The second hypothesis concerns the most stable electronic states of FeMo-co with ligands bound at Fe2 and Fe6, and provides a protocol for management of electronic states in mechanism calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Dance
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2051, Australia.
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12
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Structural basis for coupled ATP-driven electron transfer in the double-cubane cluster protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2203576119. [PMID: 35905315 PMCID: PMC9351452 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2203576119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Electron transfers coupled to the hydrolysis of ATP allow various metalloenzymes to catalyze reductions at very negative reduction potentials. The double-cubane cluster protein (DCCP) catalyzes the reduction of small molecules, such as acetylene and hydrazine, with electrons provided by its cognate ATP-hydrolyzing reductase (DCCP-R). How ATP-driven electron transfer occurs is not known. To resolve the structural basis for ATP-driven electron transfer, we solved the structures of the DCCP:DCCP-R complex in three different states. The structures show that the DCCP-R homodimer is covalently bridged by a [4Fe4S] cluster that is aligned with the twofold axis of the DCCP homodimer, positioning the [4Fe4S] cluster to enable electron transfer to both double-cubane clusters in the DCCP dimer. DCCP and DCCP-R form stable complexes independent of oxidation state or nucleotides present, and electron transfer requires the hydrolysis of ATP. Electron transfer appears to be additionally driven by modulating the angle between the helices binding the [4Fe4S] cluster. We observed hydrogen bond networks running from the ATP binding site via the [4Fe4S] cluster in DCCP-R to the double-cubane cluster in DCCP, allowing the propagation of conformational changes. Remarkable similarities between the DCCP:DCCP-R complex and the nonhomologous nitrogenases suggest a convergent evolution of catalytic strategies to achieve ATP-driven electron transfers between iron-sulfur clusters.
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13
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Chica B, Ruzicka J, Pellows LM, Kallas H, Kisgeropoulos E, Vansuch GE, Mulder DW, Brown KA, Svedruzic D, Peters JW, Dukovic G, Seefeldt LC, King PW. Dissecting Electronic-Structural Transitions in the Nitrogenase MoFe Protein P-Cluster during Reduction. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:5708-5712. [PMID: 35315658 PMCID: PMC8991001 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c13311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The [8Fe-7S] P-cluster of nitrogenase MoFe protein mediates electron transfer from nitrogenase Fe protein during the catalytic production of ammonia. The P-cluster transitions between three oxidation states, PN, P+, P2+ of which PN↔P+ is critical to electron exchange in the nitrogenase complex during turnover. To dissect the steps in formation of P+ during electron transfer, photochemical reduction of MoFe protein at 231-263 K was used to trap formation of P+ intermediates for analysis by EPR. In complexes with CdS nanocrystals, illumination of MoFe protein led to reduction of the P-cluster P2+ that was coincident with formation of three distinct EPR signals: S = 1/2 axial and rhombic signals, and a high-spin S = 7/2 signal. Under dark annealing the axial and high-spin signal intensities declined, which coincided with an increase in the rhombic signal intensity. A fit of the time-dependent changes of the axial and high-spin signals to a reaction model demonstrates they are intermediates in the formation of the P-cluster P+ resting state and defines how spin-state transitions are coupled to changes in P-cluster oxidation state in MoFe protein during electron transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryant Chica
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Jesse Ruzicka
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Lauren M Pellows
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Hayden Kallas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Effie Kisgeropoulos
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Gregory E Vansuch
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - David W Mulder
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Katherine A Brown
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Drazenka Svedruzic
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - John W Peters
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, United States
| | - Gordana Dukovic
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States.,Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States.,Materials Science and Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Lance C Seefeldt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Paul W King
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States.,Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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14
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Dance I. Structures and reaction dynamics of N 2 and H 2 binding at FeMo-co, the active site of nitrogenase. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:18212-18237. [PMID: 34860237 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt03548g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The chemical reactions occurring at the Fe7MoS9C(homocitrate) cluster, FeMo-co, the active site of the enzyme nitrogenase (N2 → NH3), are enigmatic. Experimental information collected over a long period reveals aspects of the roles of N2 and H2, each with more than one type of reactivity. This paper reports investigations of the binding of H2 and N2 at intact FeMo-co, using density functional simulations of a large 486 atom relevant portion of the protein, resulting in 27 new structures containing H2 and/or N2 bound at the exo and endo coordination sites of the participating Fe atoms, Fe2 and Fe6. Binding energies and transition states for association/dissociation are determined, and trajectories for the approach, binding and separation of H2/N2 are described, including diffusion of these small molecules through proximal protein. Influences of surrounding amino acids are identified. FeMo-co deforms geometrically when binding H2 or N2, and a procedure for calculating the energy cost involved, the adaptation energy, is introduced here. Adaptation energies, which range from 7 to 36 kcal mol-1 for the reported structures, are influenced by the protonation state of the His195 side chain. Seven N2 structures and three H2 structures have negative binding free energies, which include the estimated entropy penalties for binding of N2, H2 from proximal protein. These favoured structures have N2 bound end-on at exo-Fe2, exo-Fe6 and endo-Fe2 positions of FeMo-co, and H2 bound at the endo-Fe2 position. Various postulated structures with N2 bridging Fe2 and Fe6 revert to end-on-N2 at endo positions. The structures are also assessed via the calculated potential energy barriers for association and dissociation. Barriers to the binding of H2 range from 1 to 20 kcal mol-1 and barriers to dissociation of H2 range from 3 to 18 kcal mol-1. Barriers to the binding of N2, in either side-on or end-on mode, range from 2 to 18 kcal mol-1, while dissociation of bound N2 encounters barriers of 3 to 8 kcal mol-1 for side-on bonding and 7 to 18 kcal mol-1 for end-on bonding. These results allow formulation of mechanisms for the H2/N2 exchange reaction, and three feasible mechanisms for associative exchange and three for dissociative exchange are identified. Consistent electronic structures and potential energy surfaces are maintained throughout. Changes in the spin populations of Fe2 and Fe6 connected with cluster deformation and with metal-ligand bond formation are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Dance
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2051, Australia.
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15
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Centi G, Perathoner S. Nanocarbon for Energy Material Applications: N 2 Reduction Reaction. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2007055. [PMID: 33682312 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202007055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nanocarbons are an important class of energy materials and one relevant application is for the nitrogen reduction reaction, i.e., the direct synthesis of NH3 from N2 and H2 O via photo- and electrocatalytic approaches. Ammonia is also a valuable energy or hydrogen vector. This perspective paper analyses developments in the field, limiting discussion to nanocarbon-based electrodes. These aspects are discussed: i) active sites related to charge density differences on C atoms associated to defects/strains, ii) doping with heteroatoms, iii) introduction of isolated metal ions, iv) creation and in situ dynamics of metal oxide(hydroxide)/nanocarbon boundaries, and v) nanocarbon characteristics to control the interface. Discussion is focused on the performances and mechanistic aspects. Aim is not a systematic state-of-the-art report but to highlight the need to use a different perspective in studying this challenging reaction by using selected papers. Notwithstanding the large differences in the proposed nature of the active sites, fall all within a restricted range of performances, far from the targets. A holistic approach is emphasized to make a breakthrough advance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Centi
- Departments ChiBioFarAm and MIFT, University of Messina and ERIC aisbl, V.le F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, Messina, 98166, Italy
| | - Siglinda Perathoner
- Departments ChiBioFarAm and MIFT, University of Messina and ERIC aisbl, V.le F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, Messina, 98166, Italy
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16
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Wang YY, Ding XL, Gurti JI, Chen Y, Huang XQ, Li W, Wang X. Facile N≡N Bond Cleavage by Anionic Trimetallic Clusters V 3-x Ta x C 4 - (x=0-3): A DFT Study. Chemphyschem 2021; 23:e202100771. [PMID: 34821022 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202100771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Activation of N2 on anionic trimetallic V3-x Tax C4 - (x=0-3) clusters was theoretically studied employing density functional theory. For all studied clusters, initial adsorption of N2 (end-on) on one of the metal atoms (denoted as Site 1) is transferred to an of end-on: side-on: side-on coordination on three metal atoms, prior to N2 dissociation. The whole reaction is exothermic and has no global energy barriers, indicating that the dissociation of N2 is facile under mild conditions. The reaction process can be divided into two processes: N2 transfer (TRF) and N-N dissociation (DIS). For V-series clusters, which has a V atom on Site 1, the rate-determining step is DIS, while for Ta-series clusters with a Ta on Site 1, TRF may be the rate-determining step or has energy barriers similar to those of DIS. The overall energy barriers for heteronuclear V2 TaC4 - and VTa2 C4 - clusters are lower than those for homonuclear V3 C4 - and Ta3 C4 - , showing that the doping effect is beneficial for the activation and dissociation of N2 . In particular, V-Ta2 C4 - has low energy barriers in both TRF and DIS, and it has the highest N2 adsorption energy and a high reaction heat release. Therefore, a trimetallic heteronuclear V-series cluster, V-Ta2 C4 - , is suggested to have high reactivity to N2 activation, and may serve as a prototype for designing related catalysts at a molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ya Wang
- School of Mathematics and Physics, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China.,Institute of Clusters and Low Dimensional Nanomaterials, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China.,School of New Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China
| | - Xun-Lei Ding
- School of Mathematics and Physics, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China.,Institute of Clusters and Low Dimensional Nanomaterials, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China
| | - Joseph Israel Gurti
- School of Mathematics and Physics, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China.,Institute of Clusters and Low Dimensional Nanomaterials, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China
| | - Yan Chen
- School of Mathematics and Physics, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China.,Institute of Clusters and Low Dimensional Nanomaterials, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China.,School of New Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China
| | - Xue-Qian Huang
- School of Mathematics and Physics, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China.,Institute of Clusters and Low Dimensional Nanomaterials, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China
| | - Wei Li
- School of Mathematics and Physics, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China.,Institute of Clusters and Low Dimensional Nanomaterials, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Mathematics and Physics, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China.,Institute of Clusters and Low Dimensional Nanomaterials, North China Electric Power University, Beinong Road 2, Huilongguan, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China
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17
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Li ML, Jiao J, Zhang B, Shi WT, Yu WH, Tian CF. Global Transcriptional Repression of Diguanylate Cyclases by MucR1 Is Essential for Sinorhizobium-Soybean Symbiosis. mBio 2021; 12:e0119221. [PMID: 34700374 PMCID: PMC8546604 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01192-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous bacterial second messenger c-di-GMP is intensively studied in pathogens but less so in mutualistic bacteria. Here, we report a genome-wide investigation of functional diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) synthesizing c-di-GMP from two molecules of GTP in Sinorhizobium fredii CCBAU45436, a facultative microsymbiont fixing nitrogen in nodules of diverse legumes, including soybean. Among 25 proteins harboring a putative GGDEF domain catalyzing the biosynthesis of c-di-GMP, eight functional DGCs were identified by heterogenous expression in Escherichia coli in a Congo red binding assay. This screening result was further verified by in vitro enzymatic assay with purified full proteins or the GGDEF domains from representative functional and nonfunctional DGCs. In the same in vitro assay, a functional EAL domain catalyzing the degradation of c-di-GMP into pGpG was identified in a protein that has an inactive GGDEF domain but with an active phosphodiesterase (PDE) function. The identified functional DGCs generally exhibited low transcription levels in soybean nodules compared to free-living cultures, as revealed in transcriptomes. An engineered upregulation of a functional DGC in nodules led to a significant increase of c-di-GMP level and symbiotic defects, which were not observed when a functional EAL domain was upregulated at the same level. Further transcriptional analysis and gel shift assay demonstrated that these functional DGCs were all transcriptionally repressed in nodules by a global pleiotropic regulator, MucR1, that is essential in Sinorhizobium-soybean symbiosis. These findings shed novel insights onto the systematic regulation of c-di-GMP biosynthesis in mutualistic symbiosis. IMPORTANCE The ubiquitous second messenger c-di-GMP is well-known for its role in biofilm formation and host adaptation of pathogens, whereas it is less investigated in mutualistic symbioses. Here, we reveal a cocktail of eight functional diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) catalyzing the biosynthesis of c-di-GMP in a broad-host-range Sinorhizobium that can establish nitrogen-fixing nodules on soybean and many other legumes. These functional DGCs are generally transcribed at low levels in soybean nodules compared to free-living conditions. The engineered nodule-specific upregulation of DGC can elevate the c-di-GMP level and cause symbiotic defects, while the upregulation of a phosphodiesterase that quenches c-di-GMP has no detectable symbiotic defects. Moreover, eight functional DGCs located on two different replicons are all directly repressed in nodules by a global silencer, MucR1, that is essential for Sinorhizobium-soybean symbiosis. These findings represent a novel mechanism of a strategic regulation of the c-di-GMP biosynthesis arsenal in prokaryote-eukaryote interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, and Rhizobium Research Center, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, and Rhizobium Research Center, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Biliang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, and Rhizobium Research Center, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Tao Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, and Rhizobium Research Center, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Hao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, and Rhizobium Research Center, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chang-Fu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, and Rhizobium Research Center, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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18
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Neumann F, Dobbek H. ATP Binding and a Second Reduction Enables a Conformationally Gated Uphill Electron Transfer. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c01038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Felix Neumann
- Institut für Biologie, Strukturbiologie/Biochemie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger Dobbek
- Institut für Biologie, Strukturbiologie/Biochemie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany
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19
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Salas A, Cabrera JJ, Jiménez-Leiva A, Mesa S, Bedmar EJ, Richardson DJ, Gates AJ, Delgado MJ. Bacterial nitric oxide metabolism: Recent insights in rhizobia. Adv Microb Physiol 2021; 78:259-315. [PMID: 34147187 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a reactive gaseous molecule that has several functions in biological systems depending on its concentration. At low concentrations, NO acts as a signaling molecule, while at high concentrations, it becomes very toxic due to its ability to react with multiple cellular targets. Soil bacteria, commonly known as rhizobia, have the capacity to establish a N2-fixing symbiosis with legumes inducing the formation of nodules in their roots. Several reports have shown NO production in the nodules where this gas acts either as a signaling molecule which regulates gene expression, or as a potent inhibitor of nitrogenase and other plant and bacteria enzymes. A better understanding of the sinks and sources of NO in rhizobia is essential to protect symbiotic nitrogen fixation from nitrosative stress. In nodules, both the plant and the microsymbiont contribute to the production of NO. From the bacterial perspective, the main source of NO reported in rhizobia is the denitrification pathway that varies significantly depending on the species. In addition to denitrification, nitrate assimilation is emerging as a new source of NO in rhizobia. To control NO accumulation in the nodules, in addition to plant haemoglobins, bacteroids also contribute to NO detoxification through the expression of a NorBC-type nitric oxide reductase as well as rhizobial haemoglobins. In the present review, updated knowledge about the NO metabolism in legume-associated endosymbiotic bacteria is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Salas
- Department of Soil Microbiology and Symbiotic Systems, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan J Cabrera
- Department of Soil Microbiology and Symbiotic Systems, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain; School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Jiménez-Leiva
- Department of Soil Microbiology and Symbiotic Systems, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Socorro Mesa
- Department of Soil Microbiology and Symbiotic Systems, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Eulogio J Bedmar
- Department of Soil Microbiology and Symbiotic Systems, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - David J Richardson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Gates
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - María J Delgado
- Department of Soil Microbiology and Symbiotic Systems, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain.
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20
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Mechanical coupling in the nitrogenase complex. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008719. [PMID: 33661889 PMCID: PMC7963043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The enzyme nitrogenase reduces dinitrogen to ammonia utilizing electrons, protons, and energy obtained from the hydrolysis of ATP. Mo-dependent nitrogenase is a symmetric dimer, with each half comprising an ATP-dependent reductase, termed the Fe Protein, and a catalytic protein, known as the MoFe protein, which hosts the electron transfer P-cluster and the active-site metal cofactor (FeMo-co). A series of synchronized events for the electron transfer have been characterized experimentally, in which electron delivery is coupled to nucleotide hydrolysis and regulated by an intricate allosteric network. We report a graph theory analysis of the mechanical coupling in the nitrogenase complex as a key step to understanding the dynamics of allosteric regulation of nitrogen reduction. This analysis shows that regions near the active sites undergo large-scale, large-amplitude correlated motions that enable communications within each half and between the two halves of the complex. Computational predictions of mechanically regions were validated against an analysis of the solution phase dynamics of the nitrogenase complex via hydrogen-deuterium exchange. These regions include the P-loops and the switch regions in the Fe proteins, the loop containing the residue β-188Ser adjacent to the P-cluster in the MoFe protein, and the residues near the protein-protein interface. In particular, it is found that: (i) within each Fe protein, the switch regions I and II are coupled to the [4Fe-4S] cluster; (ii) within each half of the complex, the switch regions I and II are coupled to the loop containing β-188Ser; (iii) between the two halves of the complex, the regions near the nucleotide binding pockets of the two Fe proteins (in particular the P-loops, located over 130 Å apart) are also mechanically coupled. Notably, we found that residues next to the P-cluster (in particular the loop containing β-188Ser) are important for communication between the two halves.
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21
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Mou LH, Li Y, Li ZY, Liu QY, Ren Y, Chen H, He SG. Dinitrogen Activation and Functionalization by Heteronuclear Metal Cluster Anions FeV 2C 2- at Room Temperature. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:9990-9994. [PMID: 33179926 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c02921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
It is of great importance to study the mechanisms to activate dinitrogen (N2), the very inert molecule, under mild conditions. Gas-phase metal clusters are being actively generated to react with N2 to identify new reaction types and mechanisms. Herein, an unprecedented, mechanistically unique metal atom (Fe or V) ejection in the thermal reaction of FeV2C2- with N2 has been identified using mass spectrometry, photoelectron imaging spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry calculations. Strong evidence suggests that the complete cleavage of the N≡N triple bond and subsequent functionalization of two N atoms via C-N coupling were achieved in this reaction. The complementary cooperation between V atoms with strong electron-donating ability and an Fe atom with large electron-withdrawing ability as well as the geometric flexibility of the Fe-V-V ring drives the whole reaction. The important role of C ligands in N≡N cleavage was also revealed. This study emphasizes the importance of heteronuclear metal systems for N2 fixation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hui Mou
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Center of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yao Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Center of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Zi-Yu Li
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Center of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Qing-Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Center of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yi Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Center of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Hui Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Center of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Sheng-Gui He
- State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and CAS Research/Education Center of Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
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22
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Abstract
The enzyme molybdenum nitrogenase converts atmospheric nitrogen gas to ammonia and is of critical importance for the cycling of nitrogen in the biosphere and for the sustainability of life. Alternative vanadium and iron-only nitrogenases that are homologous to molybdenum nitrogenases are also found in archaea and bacteria, but they have a different transition metal, either vanadium or iron, at their active sites. So far alternative nitrogenases have only been found in microbes that also have molybdenum nitrogenase. They are less widespread than molybdenum nitrogenase in bacteria and archaea, and they are less efficient. The presumption has been that alternative nitrogenases are fail-safe enzymes that are used in situations where molybdenum is limiting. Recent work indicates that vanadium nitrogenase may play a role in the global biological nitrogen cycle and iron-only nitrogenase may contribute products that shape microbial community interactions in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Harwood
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA;
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23
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Jasper J, Ramos JV, Trncik C, Jahn D, Einsle O, Layer G, Moser J. Chimeric Interaction of Nitrogenase-Like Reductases with the MoFe Protein of Nitrogenase. Chembiochem 2020; 21:1733-1741. [PMID: 31958206 PMCID: PMC7317204 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The engineering of transgenic organisms with the ability to fix nitrogen is an attractive possibility. However, oxygen sensitivity of nitrogenase, mainly conferred by the reductase component (NifH)2 , is an imminent problem. Nitrogenase-like enzymes involved in coenzyme F430 and chlorophyll biosynthesis utilize the highly homologous reductases (CfbC)2 and (ChlL)2 , respectively. Chimeric protein-protein interactions of these reductases with the catalytic component of nitrogenase (MoFe protein) did not support nitrogenase activity. Nucleotide-dependent association and dissociation of these complexes was investigated, but (CfbC)2 and wild-type (ChlL)2 showed no modulation of the binding affinity. By contrast, the interaction between the (ChlL)2 mutant Y127S and the MoFe protein was markedly increased in the presence of ATP (or ATP analogues) and reduced in the ADP state. Upon formation of the octameric (ChlL)2 MoFe(ChlL)2 complex, the ATPase activity of this variant is triggered, as seen in the homologous nitrogenase system. Thus, the described reductase(s) might be an attractive tool for further elucidation of the diverse functions of (NifH)2 and the rational design of a more robust reductase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Jasper
- Institut für MikrobiologieTechnische Universität BraunschweigSpielmannstrasse 738106BraunschweigGermany
| | - José V. Ramos
- Institut für Pharmazeutische WissenschaftenPharmazeutische Biologie und BiotechnologieAlbert-Ludwigs-Universität FreiburgStefan-Meier-Str. 1979104FreiburgGermany
| | - Christian Trncik
- Institut für BiochemieAlbert-Ludwigs-Universität FreiburgAlbertstrasse 2179104FreiburgGermany
| | - Dieter Jahn
- Institut für MikrobiologieTechnische Universität BraunschweigSpielmannstrasse 738106BraunschweigGermany
| | - Oliver Einsle
- Institut für BiochemieAlbert-Ludwigs-Universität FreiburgAlbertstrasse 2179104FreiburgGermany
| | - Gunhild Layer
- Institut für Pharmazeutische WissenschaftenPharmazeutische Biologie und BiotechnologieAlbert-Ludwigs-Universität FreiburgStefan-Meier-Str. 1979104FreiburgGermany
| | - Jürgen Moser
- Institut für MikrobiologieTechnische Universität BraunschweigSpielmannstrasse 738106BraunschweigGermany
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Jeoung JH, Martins BM, Dobbek H. Double-Cubane [8Fe9S] Clusters: A Novel Nitrogenase-Related Cofactor in Biology. Chembiochem 2020; 21:1710-1716. [PMID: 32187824 PMCID: PMC7317905 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Three different types of electron-transferring metallo-ATPases are able to couple ATP hydrolysis to the reduction of low-potential metal sites, thereby energizing an electron. Besides the Fe-protein known from nitrogenase and homologous enzymes, two other kinds of ATPase with different scaffolds and cofactors are used to achieve a unidirectional, energetic, uphill electron transfer to either reduce inactive Co-corrinoid-containing proteins (RACE-type activators) or a second iron-sulfur cluster-containing enzyme of a unique radical enzymes family (archerases). We have found a new cofactor in the latter enzyme family, that is, a double-cubane cluster with two [4Fe4S] subclusters bridged by a sulfido ligand. An enzyme containing this cofactor catalyzes the ATP-dependent reduction of small molecules, including acetylene. Thus, enzymes containing the double-cubane cofactor are analogous in function and share some structural features with nitrogenases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hun Jeoung
- Institut für Biologie, Strukturbiologie/Biochemie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin, Germany
| | - Berta M Martins
- Institut für Biologie, Strukturbiologie/Biochemie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger Dobbek
- Institut für Biologie, Strukturbiologie/Biochemie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin, Germany
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Seefeldt LC, Yang ZY, Lukoyanov DA, Harris DF, Dean DR, Raugei S, Hoffman BM. Reduction of Substrates by Nitrogenases. Chem Rev 2020; 120:5082-5106. [PMID: 32176472 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nitrogenase is the enzyme that catalyzes biological N2 reduction to NH3. This enzyme achieves an impressive rate enhancement over the uncatalyzed reaction. Given the high demand for N2 fixation to support food and chemical production and the heavy reliance of the industrial Haber-Bosch nitrogen fixation reaction on fossil fuels, there is a strong need to elucidate how nitrogenase achieves this difficult reaction under benign conditions as a means of informing the design of next generation synthetic catalysts. This Review summarizes recent progress in addressing how nitrogenase catalyzes the reduction of an array of substrates. New insights into the mechanism of N2 and proton reduction are first considered. This is followed by a summary of recent gains in understanding the reduction of a number of other nitrogenous compounds not considered to be physiological substrates. Progress in understanding the reduction of a wide range of C-based substrates, including CO and CO2, is also discussed, and remaining challenges in understanding nitrogenase substrate reduction are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance C Seefeldt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Zhi-Yong Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Dmitriy A Lukoyanov
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Derek F Harris
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Dennis R Dean
- Biochemistry Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Simone Raugei
- Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Brian M Hoffman
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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26
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Dance I. Computational Investigations of the Chemical Mechanism of the Enzyme Nitrogenase. Chembiochem 2020; 21:1671-1709. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Dance
- School of Chemistry UNSW Sydney Sydney 2052 Australia
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Abstract
Bio-hydrogen production (BHP) produced from renewable bio-resources is an attractive route for green energy production, due to its compelling advantages of relative high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and lower ecological impact. This study reviewed different BHP pathways, and the most important enzymes involved in these pathways, to identify technological gaps and effective approaches for process intensification in industrial applications. Among the various approaches reviewed in this study, a particular focus was set on the latest methods of chemicals/metal addition for improving hydrogen generation during dark fermentation (DF) processes; the up-to-date findings of different chemicals/metal addition methods have been quantitatively evaluated and thoroughly compared in this paper. A new efficiency evaluation criterion is also proposed, allowing different BHP processes to be compared with greater simplicity and validity.
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Pernil R, Schleiff E. Metalloproteins in the Biology of Heterocysts. Life (Basel) 2019; 9:E32. [PMID: 30987221 PMCID: PMC6616624 DOI: 10.3390/life9020032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic microorganisms present in almost all ecologically niches on Earth. They exist as single-cell or filamentous forms and the latter often contain specialized cells for N₂ fixation known as heterocysts. Heterocysts arise from photosynthetic active vegetative cells by multiple morphological and physiological rearrangements including the absence of O₂ evolution and CO₂ fixation. The key function of this cell type is carried out by the metalloprotein complex known as nitrogenase. Additionally, many other important processes in heterocysts also depend on metalloproteins. This leads to a high metal demand exceeding the one of other bacteria in content and concentration during heterocyst development and in mature heterocysts. This review provides an overview on the current knowledge of the transition metals and metalloproteins required by heterocysts in heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria. It discusses the molecular, physiological, and physicochemical properties of metalloproteins involved in N₂ fixation, H₂ metabolism, electron transport chains, oxidative stress management, storage, energy metabolism, and metabolic networks in the diazotrophic filament. This provides a detailed and comprehensive picture on the heterocyst demands for Fe, Cu, Mo, Ni, Mn, V, and Zn as cofactors for metalloproteins and highlights the importance of such metalloproteins for the biology of cyanobacterial heterocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Pernil
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straβe 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Enrico Schleiff
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straβe 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Ruth-Moufang-Straße 1, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straβe 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Jiménez-Vicente E, Martin Del Campo JS, Yang ZY, Cash VL, Dean DR, Seefeldt LC. Application of affinity purification methods for analysis of the nitrogenase system from Azotobacter vinelandii. Methods Enzymol 2018; 613:231-255. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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