Crystal structure of lactaldehyde dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli and inferences regarding substrate and cofactor specificity

Ahp deficiency-induced redox imbalance leads to metabolic alterations in E.coli

Alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (Ahp) is the primary scavenger of endogenous hydrogen peroxide in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Ahp-deficient strains have been found to have high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, sufficient to cause cell damage. However, the exact role and underlying mechanisms of Ahp deficiency-induced cell damage remain largely unknown. Here, the E. coli MG1655 ΔAhp mutant strain was constructed as a model of deficiency to assess its role. The cells of the ΔAhp strain were found to be significantly longer than those of the wild strain, with elevated ROS and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels. Proteome, redox proteome and metabolome analyses were performed to systematically present a global and quantitative profile and delineate the redox signaling and metabolic alterations at the proteome, metabolome, and cysteine oxidation site levels. The multiomics data revealed that Ahp deficiency disrupted the redox balance, activated the OxyR system, upregulated oxidative defense proteins and inhibited the TCA cycle to some extent. Surprisingly, the mutant strain shifted from aerobic respiration to anaerobic respiration and fermentation during the logarithmic phase in the presence of sufficient O2. The acid resistance system was activated to mitigate the effect of excessive acid produced by fermentation. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated that Ahp deficiency triggered cellular redox imbalance and regulated metabolic pathways to confer resistance to submicromolar intracellular H2O2 levels in E. coli.

Molecular basis of sulfolactate synthesis by sulfolactaldehyde dehydrogenase from Rhizobium leguminosarum

Sulfolactate (SL) is a short-chain organosulfonate that is an important reservoir of sulfur in the biosphere. SL is produced by oxidation of sulfolactaldehyde (SLA), which in turn derives from sulfoglycolysis of the sulfosugar sulfoquinovose, or through oxidation of 2,3-dihydroxypropanesulfonate. Oxidation of SLA is catalyzed by SLA dehydrogenases belonging to the aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily. We report that SLA dehydrogenase RlGabD from the sulfoglycolytic bacterium Rhizobium leguminsarum SRDI565 can use both NAD+ and NADP+ as cofactor to oxidize SLA, and indicatively operates through a rapid equilibrium ordered mechanism. We report the cryo-EM structure of RlGabD bound to NADH, revealing a tetrameric quaternary structure and supporting proposal of organosulfonate binding residues in the active site, and a catalytic mechanism. Sequence based homology searches identified SLA dehydrogenase homologs in a range of putative sulfoglycolytic gene clusters in bacteria predominantly from the phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. This work provides a structural and biochemical view of SLA dehydrogenases to complement our knowledge of SLA reductases, and provide detailed insights into a critical step in the organosulfur cycle.

Characterization of Two Dehydrogenases from Gluconobacter oxydans Involved in the Transformation of Patulin to Ascladiol

Patulin is a mycotoxin that primarily contaminate apples and apple products. Whole cell or cell-free extracts of Gluconobacter oxydans ATCC 621 were able to transform patulin to E-ascladiol. Proteins from cell-free extracts were separated by anion exchange chromatography and fractions with patulin transformation activity were subjected to peptide mass fingerprinting, enabling the identification of two NADPH dependent short chain dehydrogenases, GOX0525 and GOX1899, with the requisite activity. The genes encoding these enzymes were expressed in E. coli and purified. Kinetic parameters for patulin reduction, as well as pH profiles and thermostability were established to provide further insight on the potential application of these enzymes for patulin detoxification.

Oral and Intravenous Iron Therapy Differentially Alter the On- and Off-Tumor Microbiota in Anemic Colorectal Cancer Patients

Iron deficiency anemia is a common complication of colorectal cancer and may require iron therapy. Oral iron can increase the iron available to gut bacteria and may alter the colonic microbiota. We performed an intervention study to compare oral and intravenous iron therapy on the colonic tumor-associated (on-tumor) and paired non-tumor-associated adjacent (off-tumor) microbiota. Anemic patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma received either oral ferrous sulphate (n = 16) or intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (n = 24). On- and off-tumor biopsies were obtained post-surgery and microbial profiling was performed using 16S ribosomal RNA analysis. Off-tumor α- and β-diversity were significantly different between iron treatment groups. No differences in on-tumor diversity were observed. Off-tumor microbiota of oral iron-treated patients showed higher abundances of the orders Clostridiales, Cytophagales, and Anaeroplasmatales compared to intravenous iron-treated patients. The on-tumor microbiota was enriched with the orders Lactobacillales and Alteromonadales in the oral and intravenous iron groups, respectively. The on- and off-tumor microbiota associated with intravenous iron-treated patients infers increased abundances of enzymes involved in iron sequestration and anti-inflammatory/oncogenic metabolite production, compared to oral iron-treated patients. Collectively, this suggests that intravenous iron may be a more appropriate therapy to limit adverse microbial outcomes compared to oral iron.

Partial catalytic Cys oxidation of human GAPDH to Cys-sulfonic acid

Background: n-Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) catalyses the NAD ⁺-dependent oxidative phosphorylation of n-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to 1,3-diphospho-n-glycerate and its reverse reaction in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.

Methods: Four distinct crystal structures of human n-Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase ( HsGAPDH) have been determined from protein purified from the supernatant of HEK293F human epithelial kidney cells.

Results: X-ray crystallography and mass-spectrometry indicate that the catalytic cysteine of the protein ( HsGAPDH Cys152) is partially oxidised to cysteine S-sulfonic acid. The average occupancy for the Cys152-S-sulfonic acid modification over the 20 crystallographically independent copies of HsGAPDH across three of the crystal forms obtained is 0.31±0.17.

Conclusions: The modification induces no significant structural changes on the tetrameric enzyme, and only makes aspecific contacts to surface residues in the active site, in keeping with the hypothesis that the oxidising conditions of the secreted mammalian cell expression system result in HsGAPDH catalytic cysteine S-sulfonic acid modification and irreversible inactivation of the enzyme.

Partial catalytic Cys oxidation of human GAPDH

Background: n-Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) catalyses the reversible NAD+-dependent oxidative phosphorylation of n-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to 1,3-diphospho-n-glycerate in both glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.Methods: Four distinct crystal structures of human n-Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (HsGAPDH) have been determined from protein purified from the supernatant of HEK293F human epithelial kidney cells.Results: X-ray crystallography and mass-spectrometry indicate that the catalytic cysteine of the protein (HsGAPDH Cys152) is partially oxidised to cysteine S-sulfonic acid. The average occupancy for the Cys152-S-sulfonic acid modification over the 20 crystallographically independent copies ofHsGAPDH across three of the crystal forms obtained is 0.31±0.17.Conclusions: The modification induces no significant structural changes on the tetrameric enzyme, and only makes aspecific contacts to surface residues in the active site, in keeping with the hypothesis that the oxidising conditions of the secreted mammalian cell expression system result inHsGAPDH catalytic cysteine S-sulfonic acid modification and irreversible inactivation of the enzyme.

3,6-Anhydro-L-Galactose Dehydrogenase VvAHGD is a Member of a New Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Family and Catalyzes by a Novel Mechanism with Conformational Switch of Two Catalytic Residues Cysteine 282 and Glutamate 248

3,6-anhydro-α-L-galactose (L-AHG) is one of the main monosaccharide constituents of red macroalgae. In the recently discovered bacterial L-AHG catabolic pathway, L-AHG is first oxidized by a NAD(P)⁺-dependent dehydrogenase (AHGD), which is a key step of this pathway. However, the catalytic mechanism(s) of AHGDs is still unclear. Here, we identified and characterized an AHGD from marine bacterium Vibrio variabilis JCM 19239 (VvAHGD). The NADP⁺-dependent VvAHGD could efficiently oxidize L-AHG. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that VvAHGD and its homologs represent a new aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) family with different substrate preferences from reported ALDH families, named the L-AHGDH family. To explain the catalytic mechanism of VvAHGD, we solved the structures of VvAHGD in the apo form and complex with NADP⁺ and modeled its structure with L-AHG. Based on structural, mutational, and biochemical analyses, the cofactor channel and the substrate channel of VvAHGD are identified, and the key residues involved in the binding of NADP⁺ and L-AHG and the catalysis are revealed. VvAHGD performs catalysis by controlling the consecutive connection and interruption of the cofactor channel and the substrate channel via the conformational changes of its two catalytic residues Cys282 and Glu248. Comparative analyses of structures and enzyme kinetics revealed that differences in the substrate channels (in shape, size, electrostatic surface, and residue composition) lead to the different substrate preferences of VvAHGD from other ALDHs. This study on VvAHGD sheds light on the diversified catalytic mechanisms and evolution of NAD(P)⁺-dependent ALDHs.

Characterization of l-2-keto-3-deoxyfuconate aldolases in a nonphosphorylating l-fucose metabolism pathway in anaerobic bacteria

The genetic context in bacterial genomes and screening for potential substrates can help identify the biochemical functions of bacterial enzymes. The Gram-negative, strictly anaerobic bacterium Veillonella ratti possesses a gene cluster that appears to be related to l-fucose metabolism and contains a putative dihydrodipicolinate synthase/N-acetylneuraminate lyase protein (FucH). Here, screening of a library of 2-keto-3-deoxysugar acids with this protein and biochemical characterization of neighboring genes revealed that this gene cluster encodes enzymes in a previously unknown "route I" nonphosphorylating l-fucose pathway. Previous studies of other aldolases in the dihydrodipicolinate synthase/N-acetylneuraminate lyase protein superfamily used only limited numbers of compounds, and the approach reported here enabled elucidation of the substrate specificities and stereochemical selectivities of these aldolases and comparison of them with those of FucH. According to the aldol cleavage reaction, the aldolases were specific for (R)- and (S)-stereospecific groups at the C4 position of 2-keto-3-deoxysugar acid but had no structural specificity or preference of methyl groups at the C5 and C6 positions, respectively. This categorization corresponded to the (Re)- or (Si)-facial selectivity of the pyruvate enamine on the (glycer)aldehyde carbonyl in the aldol-condensation reaction. These properties are commonly determined by whether a serine or threonine residue is positioned at the equivalent position close to the active site(s), and site-directed mutagenesis markedly modified C4-OH preference and selective formation of a diastereomer. I propose that substrate specificity of 2-keto-3-deoxysugar acid aldolases was convergently acquired during evolution and report the discovery of another l-2-keto-3-deoxyfuconate aldolase involved in the same nonphosphorylating l-fucose pathway in Campylobacter jejuni.

Crystal Structure of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 16 Reveals Trans-Hierarchical Structural Similarity and a New Dimer

The aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) superfamily is a vast group of enzymes that catalyze the NAD⁺-dependent oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids. ALDH16 is perhaps the most enigmatic member of the superfamily, owing to its extra C-terminal domain of unknown function and the absence of the essential catalytic cysteine residue in certain non-bacterial ALDH16 sequences. Herein we report the first production of recombinant ALDH16, the first biochemical characterization of ALDH16, and the first crystal structure of ALDH16. Recombinant expression systems were generated for the bacterial ALDH16 from Loktanella sp. and human ALDH16A1. Four high-resolution crystal structures of Loktanella ALDH16 were determined. Loktanella ALDH16 is found to be a bona fide enzyme, exhibiting NAD⁺-binding, ALDH activity, and esterase activity. In contrast, human ALDH16A1 apparently lacks measurable aldehyde oxidation activity, suggesting that it is a pseudoenzyme, consistent with the absence of the catalytic Cys in its sequence. The fold of ALDH16 comprises three domains: NAD⁺-binding, catalytic, and C-terminal. The latter is unique to ALDH16 and features a Rossmann fold connected to a protruding β-flap. The tertiary structural interactions of the C-terminal domain mimic the quaternary structural interactions of the classic ALDH superfamily dimer, a phenomenon we call "trans-hierarchical structural similarity." ALDH16 forms a unique dimer in solution, which mimics the classic ALDH superfamily dimer-of-dimer tetramer. Small-angle X-ray scattering shows that human ALDH16A1 has the same dimeric structure and fold as Loktanella ALDH16. We suggest that the Loktanella ALDH16 structure may be considered to be the archetype of the ALDH16 family.

NAD+ promotes assembly of the active tetramer of aldehyde dehydrogenase 7A1

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is the redox cofactor of many enzymes, including the vast aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) superfamily. Although the function of NAD(H) in hydride transfer is established, its influence on protein structure is less understood. Herein, we show that NAD+ -binding promotes assembly of the ALDH7A1 tetramer. Multiangle light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering, and sedimentation velocity all show a pronounced shift of the dimer-tetramer equilibrium toward the tetramer when NAD+ is present. Furthermore, electron microscopy shows that cofactor binding enhances tetramer formation even at the low enzyme concentration used in activity assays, suggesting the tetramer is the active species. Altogether, our results suggest that the catalytically active oligomer of ALDH7A1 is assembled on demand in response to cofactor availability.

In vivo functional analysis of L-rhamnose metabolic pathway in Aspergillus niger: a tool to identify the potential inducer of RhaR

Background

The genes of the non-phosphorylative L-rhamnose catabolic pathway have been identified for several yeast species. In Schefferomyces stipitis, all L-rhamnose pathway genes are organized in a cluster, which is conserved in Aspergillus niger, except for the lra-4 ortholog (lraD). The A. niger cluster also contains the gene encoding the L-rhamnose responsive transcription factor (RhaR) that has been shown to control the expression of genes involved in L-rhamnose release and catabolism.

Result

In this paper, we confirmed the function of the first three putative L-rhamnose utilisation genes from A. niger through gene deletion. We explored the identity of the inducer of the pathway regulator (RhaR) through expression analysis of the deletion mutants grown in transfer experiments to L-rhamnose and L-rhamnonate. Reduced expression of L-rhamnose-induced genes on L-rhamnose in lraA and lraB deletion strains, but not on L-rhamnonate (the product of LraB), demonstrate that the inducer of the pathway is of L-rhamnonate or a compound downstream of it. Reduced expression of these genes in the lraC deletion strain on L-rhamnonate show that it is in fact a downstream product of L-rhamnonate.

Conclusion

This work showed that the inducer of RhaR is beyond L-rhamnonate dehydratase (LraC) and is likely to be the 2-keto-3-L-deoxyrhamnonate.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi: 10.1186/s12866-017-1118-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Evolutionary, computational, and biochemical studies of the salicylaldehyde dehydrogenases in the naphthalene degradation pathway

Salicylaldehyde (SAL) dehydrogenase (SALD) is responsible for the oxidation of SAL to salicylate using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) as a cofactor in the naphthalene degradation pathway. We report the use of a protein sequence similarity network to make functional inferences about SALDs. Network and phylogenetic analyses indicated that SALDs and the homologues are present in bacteria and fungi. The key residues in SALDs were analyzed by evolutionary methods and a molecular simulation analysis. The results showed that the catalytic residue is most highly conserved, followed by the residues binding NAD⁺ and then the residues binding SAL. A molecular simulation analysis demonstrated the binding energies of the amino acids to NAD⁺ and/or SAL and showed that a conformational change is induced by binding. A SALD from Alteromonas naphthalenivorans (SALDan) that undergoes trimeric oligomerization was characterized enzymatically. The results showed that SALDan could catalyze the oxidation of a variety of aromatic aldehydes. Site-directed mutagenesis of selected residues binding NAD⁺ and/or SAL affected the enzyme’s catalytic efficiency, but did not eliminate catalysis. Finally, the relationships among the evolution, catalytic mechanism, and functions of SALD are discussed. Taken together, this study provides an expanded understanding of the evolution, functions, and catalytic mechanism of SALD.

NADP-Dependent Aldehyde Dehydrogenase from Archaeon Pyrobaculum sp.1860: Structural and Functional Features

We present the functional and structural characterization of the first archaeal thermostable NADP-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase AlDHPyr1147. In vitro, AlDHPyr1147 catalyzes the irreversible oxidation of short aliphatic aldehydes at 60-85°С, and the affinity of AlDHPyr1147 to the NADP+ at 60°С is comparable to that for mesophilic analogues at 25°С. We determined the structures of the apo form of AlDHPyr1147 (3.04 Å resolution), three binary complexes with the coenzyme (1.90, 2.06, and 2.19 Å), and the ternary complex with the coenzyme and isobutyraldehyde as a substrate (2.66 Å). The nicotinamide moiety of the coenzyme is disordered in two binary complexes, while it is ordered in the ternary complex, as well as in the binary complex obtained after additional soaking with the substrate. AlDHPyr1147 structures demonstrate the strengthening of the dimeric contact (as compared with the analogues) and the concerted conformational flexibility of catalytic Cys287 and Glu253, as well as Leu254 and the nicotinamide moiety of the coenzyme. A comparison of the active sites of AlDHPyr1147 and dehydrogenases characterized earlier suggests that proton relay systems, which were previously proposed for dehydrogenases of this family, are blocked in AlDHPyr1147, and the proton release in the latter can occur through the substrate channel.

A new NAD+-dependent glyceraldehyde dehydrogenase obtained by rational design of l-lactaldehyde dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli

NAD + -dependent glyceraldehyde dehydrogenases usually had lower activity in the nonphosphorylated Entner-Doudoroff (nED) pathway. In the present study, a new NAD + -dependent glyceraldehyde dehydrogenase was engineered from l-lactaldehyde dehydrogenase of E. coli (EC: 1.2.1.22). Through comparison of the sequence alignment and the active center model, we found that a residue N286 of l-lactaldehyde dehydrogenase contributed an important structure role to substrate identification. By free energy calculation, three mutations (N286E, N286H, N286T) were chosen to investigate the change of substrate specificity of the enzyme. All mutants were able to oxidate glyceraldehyde. Especially, N286T showed the highest activity of 1.1U/mg, which was 5-fold higher than the reported NAD + -dependent glyceraldehyde dehydrogenases, and 70% activity was retained at 55 °C after an hour. Compared to l-lactaldehyde, N286T had a one-third lower K_m value to glyceraldehyde.

Structure of an acetylating aldehyde dehydrogenase from the thermophilic ethanologen Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius

Acetylating aldehyde dehydrogenases (AcAldDH) catalyse the acetylation of Coenzyme-A (CoA), or in reverse generate acetaldehyde from Acetyl-CoA using NADH as a co-factor. This article reports the expression, purification, enzyme assay, and X-ray crystal structures of an AcAldDH from Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius (GtAcAldDH) to 2.1Å and in complex with CoA and NAD⁺ to 4.0Å. In the structure, the AcAldDH forms a close-knit dimer, similar to that seen in other Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) structures. In GtAcAldDH, these dimers associate via their N-termini to form weakly interacting tetramers. This mode of tetrameric association is also seen in an unpublished AcAldDH deposited in the PDB, but is in contrast to all other ADH structures, (including the one other published AcAldDH found in a bacterial microcompartment), in which the dimers bury a large surface area including the C-termini. This novel mode of association sequesters the active sites and potentially reactive acyl-enzyme intermediates in the center of the tetramer. In other respects, the structure is very similar to the other AcAldDH, binding the cofactors in a corresponding fashion. This similarity enabled the identification of a shortened substrate cavity in G. thermoglucosidasius AcAldDH, explaining the limitations on the length of substrate accepted by the enzyme.

Insight into Coenzyme A cofactor binding and the mechanism of acyl-transfer in an acylating aldehyde dehydrogenase from Clostridium phytofermentans

The breakdown of fucose and rhamnose released from plant cell walls by the cellulolytic soil bacterium Clostridium phytofermentans produces toxic aldehyde intermediates. To enable growth on these carbon sources, the pathway for the breakdown of fucose and rhamnose is encapsulated within a bacterial microcompartment (BMC). These proteinaceous organelles sequester the toxic aldehyde intermediates and allow the efficient action of acylating aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes to produce an acyl-CoA that is ultimately used in substrate-level phosphorylation to produce ATP. Here we analyse the kinetics of the aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme from the fucose/rhamnose utilisation BMC with different short-chain fatty aldehydes and show that it has activity against substrates with up to six carbon atoms, with optimal activity against propionaldehyde. We have also determined the X-ray crystal structure of this enzyme in complex with CoA and show that the adenine nucleotide of this cofactor is bound in a distinct pocket to the same group in NAD⁺. This work is the first report of the structure of CoA bound to an aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme and our crystallographic model provides important insight into the differences within the active site that distinguish the acylating from non-acylating aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes.

Highly efficient and scalable chemoenzymatic syntheses of (R)- and (S)-lactaldehydes

Biocatalytic asymmetric reductions have been key steps in the synthesis of 1,1-dimethoxy-2-propanone, catalyzed by suitable ketoreductases to (S)- and (R)-1,1-dimethoxy-2-propanol, obtained in ≥99.9% ee and excellent yield. Removal of the protecting group gave the (S)- and (R)-lactaldehydes in excellent yield and purity.

Model-driven discovery of synergistic inhibitors against E. coli and S. enterica serovar Typhimurium targeting a novel synthetic lethal pair, aldA and prpC

Mathematical models of biochemical networks form a cornerstone of bacterial systems biology. Inconsistencies between simulation output and experimental data point to gaps in knowledge about the fundamental biology of the organism. One such inconsistency centers on the gene aldA in Escherichia coli: it is essential in a computational model of E. coli metabolism, but experimentally it is not. Here, we reconcile this disparity by providing evidence that aldA and prpC form a synthetic lethal pair, as the double knockout could only be created through complementation with a plasmid-borne copy of aldA. Moreover, virtual and biological screening against the two proteins led to a set of compounds that inhibited the growth of E. coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium synergistically at 100-200 μM individual concentrations. These results highlight the power of metabolic models to drive basic biological discovery and their potential use to discover new combination antibiotics.

Kinetic and structural characterization for cofactor preference of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase from Streptococcus pyogenes

The γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) that is found in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms has been used in various ways as a signaling molecule or a significant component generating metabolic energy under conditions of nutrient limitation or stress, through GABA catabolism. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) catalyzes the oxidation of succinic semialdehyde to succinic acid in the final step of GABA catabolism. Here, we report the catalytic properties and two crystal structures of SSADH from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpSSADH) regarding its cofactor preference. Kinetic analysis showed that SpSSADH prefers NADP(+) over NAD(+) as a hydride acceptor. Moreover, the structures of SpSSADH were determined in an apo-form and in a binary complex with NADP(+) at 1.6 Å and 2.1 Å resolutions, respectively. Both structures of SpSSADH showed dimeric conformation, containing a single cysteine residue in the catalytic loop of each subunit. Further structural analysis and sequence comparison of SpSSADH with other SSADHs revealed that Ser158 and Tyr188 in SpSSADH participate in the stabilization of the 2'-phosphate group of adenine-side ribose in NADP(+). Our results provide structural insights into the cofactor preference of SpSSADH as the gram-positive bacterial SSADH.

Crystal structure of the γ-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas sp. strainWBC-3, a key enzyme involved in para-Nitrophenol degradation

Background

para-Nitrophenol (PNP) is a highly toxic compound with threats to mammalian health. The pnpE-encoded γ-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde dehydrogenase catalyzes the reduction of γ-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde to maleylacetate in Pseudomonas sp. strain WBC-3, playing a key role in the catabolism of PNP to Krebs cycle intermediates. However, the catalyzing mechanism by PnpE has not been well understood.

Results

Here we report the crystal structures of the apo and NAD bound PnpE. In the PnpE-NAD complex structure, NAD is situated in a cleft of PnpE. The cofactor binding site is composed of two pockets. The adenosine and the first ribose group of NAD bind in one pocket and the nicotinamide ring in the other.

Conclusions

Six amino acids have interactions with the cofactor. They are C281, E247, Q210, W148, I146 and K172. Highly conserved residues C281 and E247 were identified to be critical for its catalytic activity. In addition, flexible docking studies of the enzyme-substrate system were performed to predict the interactions between PnpE and its substrate γ-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde. Amino acids that interact extensively with the substrate and stabilize the substrate in an orientation suitable for enzyme catalysis were identified. The importance of these residues for catalytic activity was confirmed by the relevant site-directed mutagenesis and their biochemical characterization.

Structural basis for a cofactor-dependent oxidation protection and catalysis of cyanobacterial succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) from cyanobacterium Synechococcus differs from other SSADHs in the γ-aminobutyrate shunt. Synechococcus SSADH (SySSADH) is a TCA cycle enzyme and completes a 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase-deficient cyanobacterial TCA cycle through a detour metabolic pathway. SySSADH produces succinate in an NADP(+)-dependent manner with a single cysteine acting as the catalytic residue in the catalytic loop. Crystal structures of SySSADH were determined in their apo form, as a binary complex with NADP(+) and as a ternary complex with succinic semialdehyde and NADPH, providing details about the catalytic mechanism by revealing a covalent adduct of a cofactor with the catalytic cysteine in the binary complex and a proposed thiohemiacetal intermediate in the ternary complex. Further analyses showed that SySSADH is an oxidation-sensitive enzyme and that the formation of the NADP-cysteine adduct is a kinetically preferred event that protects the catalytic cysteine from H2O2-dependent oxidative stress. These structural and functional features of SySSADH provide a molecular basis for cofactor-dependent oxidation protection in 1-Cys SSADH, which is unique relative to other 2-Cys SSADHs employing a redox-dependent formation of a disulfide bridge.

Structure and activity of the NAD(P)+-dependent succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase YneI from Salmonella typhimurium

Aldehyde dehydrogenases are found in all organisms and play an important role in the metabolic conversion and detoxification of endogenous and exogenous aldehydes. Genomes of many organisms including Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium encode two succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenases with low sequence similarity and different cofactor preference (YneI and GabD). Here, we present the crystal structure and biochemical characterization of the NAD(P)(+)-dependent succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase YneI from S. typhimurium. This enzyme shows high activity and affinity toward succinate semialdehyde and exhibits substrate inhibition at concentrations of SSA higher than 0.1 mM. YneI can use both NAD(+) and NADP(+) as cofactors, although affinity to NAD(+) is 10 times higher. High resolution crystal structures of YneI were solved in a free state (1.85 Å) and in complex with NAD(+) (1.90 Å) revealing a two domain protein with the active site located in the interdomain interface. The NAD(+) molecule is bound in the long channel with its nicotinamide ring positioned close to the side chain of the catalytic Cys268. Site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that this residue, as well as the conserved Trp136, Glu365, and Asp426 are important for activity of YneI, and that the conserved Lys160 contributes to the enzyme preference to NAD(+) . Our work has provided further insight into the molecular mechanisms of substrate selectivity and activity of succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenases.

Structural basis for cofactor and substrate selection by cyanobacterium succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) catalyzes the oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids. Cyanobacterium Synechococcus contains one ALDH enzyme (Sp2771), together with a novel 2-oxoglutarate decarboxylase, to complete a non-canonical tricarboxylic acid cycle. However, the molecular mechanisms for substrate selection and cofactor preference by Sp2771 are largely unknown. Here, we report crystal structures of wild type Sp2771, Sp2771 S419A mutant and ternary structure of Sp2771 C262A mutant in complex with NADP(+) and SSA, as well as binary structure of Gluconobacter oxydans aldehyde dehydrogenase (Gox0499) in complex with PEG. Structural comparison of Sp2771 with Gox0499, coupled with mutational analysis, demonstrates that Ser157 residue in Sp2771 and corresponding Pro159 residue in Gox0499 play critical structural roles in determining NADP(+) and NAD(+) preference for Sp2771 and Gox0499, respectively, whereas size and distribution of hydrophobic residues along the substrate binding funnel determine substrate selection. Hence, our work has provided insightful structural information into cofactor and substrate selection by ALDH.

Potential monovalent cation-binding sites in aldehyde dehydrogenases

Potassium ions are non-essential activators of several aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs), whereas a few others require the cation for activity. Two kinds of cation-binding sites, which we named intra-subunit and inter-subunit, have been observed in crystal structures of ALDHs, and based on reported crystallographic data, we here propose the existence of a third kind located in the central cavity of some tetrameric ALDHs. Given the high structural similarity between these enzymes, cation-binding sites may be present in many other members of this superfamily. To explore the prevalence of these sites, we compared 37 known crystal structures from 13 different ALDH families and evaluated the possible existence of a cation on the basis of the number, distance and geometry of its potential interactions, as well as of B-factor values of modeled cations obtained in new refinements of some reported crystal structures. Also, by performing multiple alignments of 855 non-redundant amino acid sequences, we assessed the degree of conservation in their respective families of the amino acid residues putatively relevant for cation binding. Among the ALDH enzymes studied, and according to our analyses, potential intra-subunit cation-binding sites seem to be present in most members of ALDH2, ALDH1L, ALDH4, ALDH5, ALDH7, ALDH10, and ALDH25 families, as well as in the bacterial and fungal members of the ALDH9 family and in a few ALDH1, ALDH6, ALDH11 and ALDH26 enzymes; potential inter-subunit sites in members of ALDH1L, ALDH3, ALDH4 from bacillales, ALDH5, ALDH7, ALDH9, ALDH10, ALDH11 and ALDH25 families; and potential central-cavity sites only in some bacterial and animal ALDH9s and in most members of the ALDH1L family. Because potassium is the most abundant intracellular cation, we propose that these are potassium-binding sites, but the specific structural and/or functional roles of the cation bound to these different sites remain to be investigated.

Fluorescence lifetime analysis and effect of magnesium ions on binding of NADH to human aldehyde dehydrogenase 1

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1A1) catalyzes the oxidation of toxic aldehydes to carboxylic acids. Physiologic levels of Mg(2+) ions decrease ALDH1 activity in part by increasing NADH binding affinity to the enzyme. By using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, we have resolved the fluorescent lifetimes (τ) of free NADH in solution (τ=0.4 ns) and two enzyme-bound NADH states (τ=2.0 ns and τ=7.7 ns). We used this technique to investigate the effects of Mg(2+) ions on the ALDH1A1-NADH binding characteristics and enzyme catalysis. From the resolved free and bound NADH fluorescence signatures, the KD values for both NADH conformations in ALDH1A1 ranged from about 24 μM to 1 μM for Mg(2+) ion concentrations of 0-6000 μM, respectively. The rate constants for dissociation of the enzyme-NADH complex ranged from 0.03 s(-1) (6000 μM Mg(2+)) to 0.30s(-1) (0 μM Mg(2+)) as determined by addition of excess NAD(+) to prevent re-association of NADH and resolving the real-time NADH fluorescence signal. During the initial reaction of enzyme with NAD(+) and butyraldehyde, there was an immediate rise in the NADH fluorescence, due to the formation of bound NADH complexes, with a constant steady-state rate of production of free NADH. As the Mg(2+) ion concentration was increased, there was a consistent decrease of the enzyme catalytic turnover from 0.31 s(-1) (0 μM Mg(2+)) to 0.050 s(-1) (6000 μM Mg(2+)) and a distinct shift in steady-state conformational population from one that favors the ALDH1-NADH complex with the shorter fluorescence lifetime (33% excess) in the absence of magnesium ion to one that favors the ALDH1-NADH complex with the longer fluorescence lifetime (13% excess) at 6000 μM Mg(2+). This shift in conformational population at higher Mg(2+) ion concentrations and to lower enzyme activity may be due to longer residence time of the NADH in the ALDH1 pocket. The results from monitoring enzyme catalysis in the absence of magnesium suggests that the ALDH1-NADH complex with the shorter fluorescence lifetime is the form initially produced, and the complex with the longer fluorescence lifetime is produced through isomerization.

Contribution of conserved Glu255 and Cys289 residues to catalytic activity of recombinant aldehyde dehydrogenase from Bacillus licheniformis

Based on the sequence homology, we have modeled the three-dimensional structure of Bacillus licheniformis aldehyde dehydrogenase (BlALDH) and identified two different residues, Glu255 and Cys289, that might be responsible for the catalytic function of the enzyme. The role of these residues was further investigated by site-directed mutagenesis and biophysical analysis. The expressed parental and mutant proteins were purified by nickel-chelate chromatography, and their molecular masses were determined to be approximately 53 kDa by SDS-PAGE. As compared with the parental BlALDH, a dramatic decrease or even complete loss of the dehydrogenase activity was observed for the mutant enzymes. Structural analysis showed that the intrinsic fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra of the mutant proteins were similar to the parental enzyme, but most of the variants exhibited a different sensitivity towards thermal- and guanidine hydrochloride-induced denaturation. These observations indicate that residues Glu255 and Cys289 play an important role in the dehydrogenase activity of BlALDH, and the rigidity of the enzyme has been changed as a consequence of the mutations.

Biophysical studies of an NAD(P)(+)-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase from Bacillus licheniformis

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) catalyzes the conversion of aldehydes to the corresponding acids by means of an NAD(P)(+)-dependent virtually irreversible reaction. In this investigation, the biophysical properties of a recombinant Bacillus licheniformis ALDH (BlALDH) were characterized in detail by analytical ultracentrifuge (AUC) and various spectroscopic techniques. The oligomeric state of BlALDH in solution was determined to be tetrameric by AUC. Far-UV circular dichroism analysis revealed that the secondary structures of BlALDH were not altered in the presence of acetone and ethanol, whereas SDS had a detrimental effect on the folding of the enzyme. Thermal unfolding of this enzyme was found to be highly irreversible. The native enzyme started to unfold beyond ~0.2 M guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl) and reached an unfolded intermediate, [GdnHCl](05, N-U), at 0.93 M. BlALDH was active at concentrations of urea below 2 M, but it experienced an irreversible unfolding under 8 M denaturant. Taken together, this study provides a foundation for the future structural investigation of BlALDH, a typical member of ALDH superfamily enzymes.

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase: biochemical-molecular-clinical disease mechanisms, redox regulation, and functional significance

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH; aldehyde dehydrogenase 5a1, ALDH5A1; E.C. 1.2.1.24; OMIM 610045, 271980) deficiency is a rare heritable disorder that disrupts the metabolism of the inhibitory neurotransmitter 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Identified in conjunction with increased urinary excretion of the GABA analog gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), numerous patients have been identified worldwide and the autosomal-recessive disorder has been modeled in mice. The phenotype is one of nonprogressive neurological dysfunction in which seizures may be prominently displayed. The murine model is a reasonable phenocopy of the human disorder, yet the severity of the seizure disorder in the mouse exceeds that observed in SSADH-deficient patients. Abnormalities in GABAergic and GHBergic neurotransmission, documented in patients and mice, form a component of disease pathophysiology, although numerous other disturbances (metabolite accumulations, myelin abnormalities, oxidant stress, neurosteroid depletion, altered bioenergetics, etc.) are also likely to be involved in developing the disease phenotype. Most recently, the demonstration of a redox control system in the SSADH protein active site has provided new insights into the regulation of SSADH by the cellular oxidation/reduction potential. The current review summarizes some 30 years of research on this protein and disease, addressing pathological mechanisms in human and mouse at the protein, metabolic, molecular, and whole-animal level.

Crystallographic evidence for active-site dynamics in the hydrolytic aldehyde dehydrogenases. Implications for the deacylation step of the catalyzed reaction

The overall chemical mechanism of the reaction catalyzed by the hydrolytic aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) involves three main steps: (1) nucleophilic attack of the thiol group of the catalytic cysteine on the carbonyl carbon of the aldehyde substrate; (2) hydride transfer from the tetrahedral thiohemiacetal intermediate to the pyridine ring of NAD(P)(+); and (3) hydrolysis of the resulting thioester intermediate (deacylation). Crystal structures of different ALDHs from several organisms-determined in the absence and presence of bound NAD(P)(+), NAD(P)H, aldehydes, or acid products-showed specific details at the atomic level about the catalytic residues involved in each of the catalytic steps. These structures also showed the conformational flexibility of the nicotinamide half of the cofactor, and of the catalytic cysteinyl and glutamyl residues, the latter being the general base that activates the hydrolytic water molecule in the deacylation step. The architecture of the ALDH active site allows for this conformational flexibility, which, undoubtedly, is crucial for catalysis in these enzymes. Focusing in the deacylation step of the ALDH-catalyzed reaction, here we review and systematize the crystallographic evidence of the structural features responsible for the conformational flexibility of the catalytic glutamyl residue, and for the positioning of the hydrolytic water molecule inside the ALDH active site. Based on the analysis of the available crystallographic data and of energy-minimized models of the thioester reaction intermediate, as well as on the results of theoretical calculations of the pK(a) of the carboxyl group of the catalytic glutamic acid in its three different conformations, we discuss the role that the conformational flexibility of this residue plays in the activation of the hydrolytic water. We also propose a critical participation in the water activation process of the peptide bond to which the catalytic glutamic acid in the intermediate conformation is hydrogen bonded.

Modeling-dependent protein characterization of the rice aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) superfamily reveals distinct functional and structural features

The completion of the rice genome sequence has made it possible to identify and characterize new genes and to perform comparative genomics studies across taxa. The aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) gene superfamily encoding for NAD(P)(+)-dependent enzymes is found in all major plant and animal taxa. However, the characterization of plant ALDHs has lagged behind their animal- and prokaryotic-ALDH homologs. In plants, ALDHs are involved in abiotic stress tolerance, male sterility restoration, embryo development and seed viability and maturation. However, there is still no structural property-dependent functional characterization of ALDH protein superfamily in plants. In this paper, we identify members of the rice ALDH gene superfamily and use the evolutionary nesting events of retrotransposons and protein-modeling-based structural reconstitution to report the genetic and molecular and structural features of each member of the rice ALDH superfamily in abiotic/biotic stress responses and developmental processes. Our results indicate that rice-ALDHs are the most expanded plant ALDHs ever characterized. This work represents the first report of specific structural features mediating functionality of the whole families of ALDHs in an organism ever characterized.

Transcriptional activation of the aldehyde reductase YqhD by YqhC and its implication in glyoxal metabolism of Escherichia coli K-12

The reactive alpha-oxoaldehydes such as glyoxal (GO) and methylglyoxal (MG) are generated in vivo from sugars through oxidative stress. GO and MG are believed to be removed from cells by glutathione-dependent glyoxalases and other aldehyde reductases. We isolated a number of GO-resistant (GO(r)) mutants from Escherichia coli strain MG1655 on LB plates containing 10 mM GO. By tagging the mutations with the transposon TnphoA-132 and determining their cotransductional linkages, we were able to identify a locus to which most of the GO(r) mutations were mapped. DNA sequencing of the locus revealed that it contains the yqhC gene, which is predicted to encode an AraC-type transcriptional regulator of unknown function. The GO(r) mutations we identified result in missense changes in yqhC and were concentrated in the predicted regulatory domain of the protein, thereby constitutively activating the product of the adjacent gene yqhD. The transcriptional activation of yqhD by wild-type YqhC and its mutant forms was established by an assay with a beta-galactosidase reporter fusion, as well as with real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. We demonstrated that YqhC binds to the promoter region of yqhD and that this binding is abolished by a mutation in the potential target site, which is similar to the consensus sequence of its homolog SoxS. YqhD facilitates the removal of GO through its NADPH-dependent enzymatic reduction activity by converting it to ethadiol via glycolaldehyde, as detected by nuclear magnetic resonance, as well as by spectroscopic measurements. Therefore, we propose that YqhC is a transcriptional activator of YqhD, which acts as an aldehyde reductase with specificity for certain aldehydes, including GO.

Structural and functional characterization of plant aminoaldehyde dehydrogenase from Pisum sativum with a broad specificity for natural and synthetic aminoaldehydes

Aminoaldehyde dehydrogenases (AMADHs, EC 1.2.1.19) belong to the large aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) superfamily, namely, the ALDH9 family. They oxidize polyamine-derived omega-aminoaldehydes to the corresponding omega-amino acids. Here, we report the first X-ray structures of plant AMADHs: two isoenzymes, PsAMADH1 and PsAMADH2, from Pisum sativum in complex with beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) at 2.4 and 2.15 A resolution, respectively. Both recombinant proteins are dimeric and, similarly to other ALDHs, each monomer is composed of an oligomerization domain, a coenzyme binding domain and a catalytic domain. Each subunit binds NAD(+) as a coenzyme, contains a solvent-accessible C-terminal peroxisomal targeting signal (type 1) and a cation bound in the cavity close to the NAD(+) binding site. While the NAD(+) binding mode is classical for PsAMADH2, that for PsAMADH1 is unusual among ALDHs. A glycerol molecule occupies the substrate binding site and mimics a bound substrate. Structural analysis and substrate specificity study of both isoenzymes in combination with data published previously on other ALDH9 family members show that the established categorization of such enzymes into distinct groups based on substrate specificity is no more appropriate, because many of them seem capable of oxidizing a large spectrum of aminoaldehyde substrates. PsAMADH1 and PsAMADH2 can oxidize N,N,N-trimethyl-4-aminobutyraldehyde into gamma-butyrobetaine, which is the carnitine precursor in animal cells. This activity highly suggests that in addition to their contribution to the formation of compatible osmolytes such as glycine betaine, beta-alanine betaine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, AMADHs might participate in carnitine biosynthesis in plants.

The X-ray crystal structure of Escherichia coli succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase; structural insights into NADP+/enzyme interactions

Background

In mammals succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) plays an essential role in the metabolism of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to succinic acid (SA). Deficiency of SSADH in humans results in elevated levels of GABA and γ-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), which leads to psychomotor retardation, muscular hypotonia, non-progressive ataxia and seizures. In Escherichia coli, two genetically distinct forms of SSADHs had been described that are essential for preventing accumulation of toxic levels of succinic semialdehyde (SSA) in cells.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here we structurally characterise SSADH encoded by the E coli gabD gene by X-ray crystallographic studies and compare these data with the structure of human SSADH. In the E. coli SSADH structure, electron density for the complete NADP⁺ cofactor in the binding sites is clearly evident; these data in particular revealing how the nicotinamide ring of the cofactor is positioned in each active site.

Conclusions/Significance

Our structural data suggest that a deletion of three amino acids in E. coli SSADH permits this enzyme to use NADP⁺, whereas in contrast the human enzyme utilises NAD⁺. Furthermore, the structure of E. coli SSADH gives additional insight into human mutations that result in disease.

Kinetic and structural features of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenases: mechanistic and regulatory implications

The betaine aldehyde dehydrogenases (BADH; EC 1.2.1.8) are so-called because they catalyze the irreversible NAD(P)(+)-dependent oxidation of betaine aldehyde to glycine betaine, which may function as (i) a very efficient osmoprotectant accumulated by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms to cope with osmotic stress, (ii) a metabolic intermediate in the catabolism of choline in some bacteria such as the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or (iii) a methyl donor for methionine synthesis. BADH enzymes can also use as substrates aminoaldehydes and other quaternary ammonium and tertiary sulfonium compounds, thereby participating in polyamine catabolism and in the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyrate, carnitine, and 3-dimethylsulfoniopropionate. This review deals with what is known about the kinetics and structural properties of these enzymes, stressing those properties that have only been found in them and not in other aldehyde dehydrogenases, and discussing their mechanistic and regulatory implications.

Structural characterization of the bradyzoite surface antigen (BSR4) from Toxoplasma gondii, a unique addition to the surface antigen glycoprotein 1-related superfamily

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects nearly one-third of the human population. The success of T. gondii is based on its complex life cycle; a lytic tachyzoite form disseminates infection, whereas an encysted bradyzoite form establishes a latent, chronic infection. Persistence and transmissibility is central to the survival of the parasite and is, in part, mediated by a family of antigenically distinct surface antigen glycoprotein (SAG)-related sequences (SRS) adhesins that play a dual role in host cell attachment and host immune evasion. More than 160 members of the SRS family have been identified with only the tachyzoite-expressed SAG1 structurally characterized. Here we report the first structural description of the bradyzoite adhesin BSR4 using x-ray crystallography and small angle x-ray scattering. The 1.90-A crystal structure of BSR4 reveals an architecture comprised of tandem beta sandwich domains organized in a head to tail fashion with the N-terminal domain responsible for dimer formation. A restructured topology in BSR4 results in a ligand-binding site that is significantly reorganized in both structure and chemistry relative to SAG1, consistent with BSR4 binding a distinct physiological ligand. The small angle x-ray scattering solution structure of BSR4 highlights a potentially important structural role for the interdomain polymorphic linker that imparts significant flexibility that may promote structural adaptation during ligand binding. This study reveals an unexpected level of structural diversity within the SRS superfamily and provides important insight into the role of these virulence factors.

Redox-switch modulation of human SSADH by dynamic catalytic loop

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) is involved in the final degradation step of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid by converting succinic semialdehyde to succinic acid in the mitochondrial matrix. SSADH deficiency, a rare autosomal recessive disease, exhibits variable clinical phenotypes, including psychomotor retardation, language delay, behaviour disturbance and convulsions. Here, we present crystal structures of both the oxidized and reduced forms of human SSADH. Interestingly, the structures show that the catalytic loop of the enzyme undergoes large structural changes depending on the redox status of the environment, which is mediated by a reversible disulphide bond formation between a catalytic Cys340 and an adjacent Cys342 residues located on the loop. Subsequent in vivo and in vitro studies reveal that the 'dynamic catalytic loop' confers a response to reactive oxygen species and changes in redox status, indicating that the redox-switch modulation could be a physiological control mechanism of human SSADH. Structural basis for the substrate specificity of the enzyme and the impact of known missense point mutations associated with the disease pathogenesis are presented as well.

Structural and biochemical characterization of a novel aldehyde dehydrogenase encoded by the benzoate oxidation pathway in Burkholderia xenovorans LB400

The recently identified benzoate oxidation (box) pathway in Burkholderia xenovorans LB400 (LB400 hereinafter) assimilates benzoate through a unique mechanism where each intermediate is processed as a coenzyme A (CoA) thioester. A key step in this process is the conversion of 3,4-dehydroadipyl-CoA semialdehyde into its corresponding CoA acid by a novel aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) (EC 1.2.1.x). The goal of this study is to characterize the biochemical and structural properties of the chromosomally encoded form of this new class of ALDHs from LB400 (ALDH(C)) in order to better understand its role in benzoate degradation. To this end, we carried out kinetic studies with six structurally diverse aldehydes and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(+) and NADP(+)). Our data definitively show that ALDH(C) is more active in the presence of NADP(+) and selective for linear medium-chain to long-chain aldehydes. To elucidate the structural basis for these biochemical observations, we solved the 1.6-A crystal structure of ALDH(C) in complex with NADPH bound in the cofactor-binding pocket and an ordered fragment of a polyethylene glycol molecule bound in the substrate tunnel. These data show that cofactor selectivity is governed by a complex network of hydrogen bonds between the oxygen atoms of the 2'-phosphoryl moiety of NADP(+) and a threonine/lysine pair on ALDH(C). The catalytic preference of ALDH(C) for linear longer-chain substrates is mediated by a deep narrow configuration of the substrate tunnel. Comparative analysis reveals that reorientation of an extended loop (Asn478-Pro490) in ALDH(C) induces the constricted structure of the substrate tunnel, with the side chain of Asn478 imposing steric restrictions on branched-chain and aromatic aldehydes. Furthermore, a key glycine (Gly104) positioned at the mouth of the tunnel allows for maximum tunnel depth required to bind medium-chain to long-chain aldehydes. This study provides the first integrated biochemical and structural characterization of a box-pathway-encoded ALDH from any organism and offers insight into the catalytic role of ALDH(C) in benzoate degradation.

Crystal structures of PI3K-C2alpha PX domain indicate conformational change associated with ligand binding

Background

PX domains have specialized protein structures involved in binding of phosphoinositides (PIs). Through binding to the various PIs PX domains provide site-specific membrane signals to modulate the intracellular localisation and biological activity of effector proteins. Several crystal structures of these domains are now available from a variety of proteins. All PX domains contain a canonical core structure with main differences exhibited within the loop regions forming the phosphoinositide binding pockets. It is within these areas that the molecular basis for ligand specificity originates.

Results

We now report two new structures of PI3K-C2α PX domain that crystallised in a P3₁21 space group. The two structures, refined to 2.1 Å and 2.5 Å, exhibit significantly different conformations of the phosphoinositide-binding loops. Unexpectedly, in one of the structures, we have detected a putative-ligand trapped in the binding site during the process of protein purification and crystallisation.

Conclusion

The two structures reported here provide a more complete description of the phosphoinositide binding region compared to the previously reported 2.6 Å crystal structure of human PI3K-C2α PX where this region was highly disordered. The structures enabled us to further analyse PI specificity and to postulate that the observed conformational change could be related to ligand-binding.

Enhancement of coenzyme binding by a single point mutation at the coenzyme binding domain of E. coli lactaldehyde dehydrogenase

Phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase (PAD) and lactaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALD) share some structural and kinetic properties. One difference is that PAD can use NAD+ and NADP+, whereas ALD only uses NAD+. An acidic residue has been involved in the exclusion of NADP+ from the active site in pyridine nucleotide-dependent dehydrogenases. However, other factors may participate in NADP+ exclusion. In the present work, analysis of the sequence of the region involved in coenzyme binding showed that residue F180 of ALD might participate in coenzyme specificity. Interestingly, F180T mutation rendered an enzyme (ALD-F180T) with the ability to use NADP+. This enzyme showed an activity of 0.87 micromol/(min * mg) and K(m) for NADP+ of 78 microM. Furthermore, ALD-F180T exhibited a 16-fold increase in the V(m) /K(m) ratio with NAD+ as the coenzyme, from 12.8 to 211. This increase in catalytic efficiency was due to a diminution in K(m) for NAD+ from 47 to 7 microM and a higher V(m) from 0.51 to 1.48 micromol/(min * mg). In addition, an increased K(d) for NADH from 175 (wild-type) to 460 microM (mutant) indicates a faster product release and possibly a change in the rate-limiting step. For wild-type ALD it is described that the rate-limiting step is shared between deacylation and coenzyme dissociation. In contrast, in the present report the rate-limiting step in ALD-F180T was determined to be exclusively deacylation. In conclusion, residue F180 participates in the exclusion of NADP+ from the coenzyme binding site and disturbs the binding of NAD+.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of Methylibium petroleiphilum PM1 exposed to the fuel oxygenates methyl tert-butyl ether and ethanol

High-density whole-genome cDNA microarrays were used to investigate substrate-dependent gene expression of Methylibium petroleiphilum PM1, one of the best-characterized aerobic methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)-degrading bacteria. Differential gene expression profiling was conducted with PM1 grown on MTBE and ethanol as sole carbon sources. Based on microarray high scores and protein similarity analysis, an MTBE regulon located on the megaplasmid was identified for further investigation. Putative functions for enzymes encoded in this regulon are described with relevance to the predicted MTBE degradation pathway. A new unique dioxygenase enzyme system that carries out the hydroxylation of tert-butyl alcohol to 2-methyl-2-hydroxy-1-propanol in M. petroleiphilum PM1 was discovered. Hypotheses regarding the acquisition and evolution of MTBE genes as well as the involvement of IS elements in these complex processes were formulated. The pathways for toluene, phenol, and alkane oxidation via toluene monooxygenase, phenol hydroxylase, and propane monooxygenase, respectively, were upregulated in MTBE-grown cells compared to ethanol-grown cells. Four out of nine putative cyclohexanone monooxygenases were also upregulated in MTBE-grown cells. The expression data allowed prediction of several hitherto-unknown enzymes of the upper MTBE degradation pathway in M. petroleiphilum PM1 and aided our understanding of the regulation of metabolic processes that may occur in response to pollutant mixtures and perturbations in the environment.