Kinetics of the spectral changes during reduction of the Na+-motive NADH:quinone oxidoreductase from Vibrio harveyi

Purification and structural characterization of the Na+-translocating ferredoxin: NAD+ reductase (Rnf) complex of Clostridium tetanomorphum

Various microbial metabolisms use H⁺/Na⁺-translocating ferredoxin:NAD⁺ reductase (Rnf) either to exergonically oxidize reduced ferredoxin by NAD⁺ for generating a transmembrane electrochemical potential or reversely to exploit the latter for producing reduced ferredoxin. For cryo-EM structural analysis, we elaborated a quick four-step purification protocol for the Rnf complex from Clostridium tetanomorphum and integrated the homogeneous and active enzyme into a nanodisc. The obtained 4.27 Å density map largely allows chain tracing and redox cofactor identification complemented by biochemical data from entire Rnf and single subunits RnfB, RnfC and RnfG. On this basis, we postulated an electron transfer route between ferredoxin and NAD via eight [4Fe-4S] clusters, one Fe ion and four flavins crossing the cell membrane twice related to the pathway of NADH:ubiquinone reductase. Redox-coupled Na⁺ translocation is provided by orchestrating Na⁺ uptake/release, electrostatic effects of the assumed membrane-integrated FMN semiquinone anion and accompanied polypeptide rearrangements mediated by different redox steps.

Flavodoxin with an air-stable flavin semiquinone in a green sulfur bacterium

Flavodoxins are small proteins with a non-covalently bound FMN that can accept two electrons and accordingly adopt three redox states: oxidized (quinone), one-electron reduced (semiquinone), and two-electron reduced (quinol). In iron-deficient cyanobacteria and algae, flavodoxin can substitute for ferredoxin as the electron carrier in the photosynthetic electron transport chain. Here, we demonstrate a similar function for flavodoxin from the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium phaeovibrioides (cp-Fld). The expression of the cp-Fld gene, found in a close proximity with the genes for other proteins associated with iron transport and storage, increased in a low-iron medium. cp-Fld produced in Escherichia coli exhibited the optical, ERP, and electron-nuclear double resonance spectra that were similar to those of known flavodoxins. However, unlike all other flavodoxins, cp-Fld exhibited unprecedented stability of FMN semiquinone to oxidation by air and difference in midpoint redox potentials for the quinone-semiquinone and semiquinone-quinol couples (- 110 and - 530 mV, respectively). cp-Fld could be reduced by pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase found in the membrane-free extract of Chl. phaeovibrioides cells and photo-reduced by the photosynthetic reaction center found in membrane vesicles from these cells. The green sulfur bacterium Chl. phaeovibrioides appears thus to be a new type of the photosynthetic organisms that can use flavodoxin as an alternative electron carrier to cope with iron deficiency.

Characterization of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa NQR complex, a bacterial proton pump with roles in autopoisoning resistance

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for a large number of nosocomial infections. The P. aeruginosa respiratory chain contains the ion-pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NQR). This enzyme couples the transfer of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone to the pumping of sodium ions across the cell membrane, generating a gradient that drives essential cellular processes in many bacteria. In this study, we characterized P. aeruginosa NQR (Pa-NQR) to elucidate its physiologic function. Our analyses reveal that Pa-NQR, in contrast with NQR homologues from other bacterial species, is not a sodium pump, but rather a completely new form of proton pump. Homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that cation selectivity could be determined by the exit ion channels. We also show that Pa-NQR is resistant to the inhibitor 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO). HQNO is a quinolone secreted by P. aeruginosa during infection that acts as a quorum sensing agent and also has bactericidal properties against other bacteria. Using comparative analysis and computational modeling of the ubiquinone-binding site, we identified the specific residues that confer resistance toward this inhibitor. In summary, our findings indicate that Pa-NQR is a proton pump rather than a sodium pump and is highly resistant against the P. aeruginosa-produced compound HQNO, suggesting an important role in the adaptation against autotoxicity. These results provide a deep understanding of the metabolic role of NQR in P. aeruginosa and provide insight into the structural factors that determine the functional specialization in this family of respiratory complexes.

EPR evidence for a fast-relaxing iron center in Na+-translocating NADH:quinone-oxidoreductase

A paramagnetic Cys₄[Fe] center was detected by pulse EPR in Na⁺-translocating NADH:quinone-oxidoreductase (Na⁺-NQR) by influence of this center on transverse and longitudinal spin relaxation of Na⁺-NQR flavin radicals. The oxidation state of the Cys₄[Fe] center was Fe³⁺ in the oxidized and Fe²⁺ in the reduced Na⁺-NQR, as deduced from the temperature dependence of spin relaxation rates of different flavin radicals. A high-spin state of iron in the Cys₄[Fe] center was assigned to both forms of Na⁺-NQR.

Na+-NQR (Na+-translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) as a novel target for antibiotics

The recent breakthrough in structural studies on Na+-translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) from the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae creates a perspective for the systematic design of inhibitors for this unique enzyme, which is the major Na+ pump in aerobic pathogens. Widespread distribution of Na+-NQR among pathogenic species, its key role in energy metabolism, its relation to virulence in different species as well as its absence in eukaryotic cells makes this enzyme especially attractive as a target for prospective antibiotics. In this review, the major biochemical, physiological and, especially, the pharmacological aspects of Na+-NQR are discussed to assess its 'target potential' for drug development. A comparison to other primary bacterial Na+ pumps supports the contention that NQR is a first rate prospective target for a new generation of antimicrobials. A new, narrowly targeted furanone inhibitor of NQR designed in our group is presented as a molecular platform for the development of anti-NQR remedies.

Reduction of a tris(picolyl)amine copper(ii) complex by a polymeric flavo-reductase model in water

An artificial reductase, made by incorporation of FMN cofactors into the locally hydrophobic micro-environment of a modified polyethyleneimine, catalytically reduces Cu(ii) complexes in water.

Identification of the coupling step in Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase from real-time kinetics of electron transfer

Bacterial Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR) uses a unique set of prosthetic redox groups-two covalently bound FMN residues, a [2Fe-2S] cluster, FAD, riboflavin and a Cys4[Fe] center-to catalyze electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone in a reaction coupled with Na(+) translocation across the membrane. Here we used an ultra-fast microfluidic stopped-flow instrument to determine rate constants and the difference spectra for the six consecutive reaction steps of Vibrio harveyi Na(+)-NQR reduction by NADH. The instrument, with a dead time of 0.25 ms and optical path length of 1 cm allowed collection of visible spectra in 50-μs intervals. By comparing the spectra of reaction steps with the spectra of known redox transitions of individual enzyme cofactors, we were able to identify the chemical nature of most intermediates and the sequence of electron transfer events. A previously unknown spectral transition was detected and assigned to the Cys4[Fe] center reduction. Electron transfer from the [2Fe-2S] cluster to the Cys4[Fe] center and all subsequent steps were markedly accelerated when Na(+) concentration was increased from 20 μM to 25 mM, suggesting coupling of the former step with tight Na(+) binding to or occlusion by the enzyme. An alternating access mechanism was proposed to explain electron transfer between subunits NqrF and NqrC. According to the proposed mechanism, the Cys4[Fe] center is alternatively exposed to either side of the membrane, allowing the [2Fe-2S] cluster of NqrF and the FMN residue of NqrC to alternatively approach the Cys4[Fe] center from different sides of the membrane.

Structure of the V. cholerae Na+-pumping NADH:quinone oxidoreductase

NADH oxidation in the respiratory chain is coupled to ion translocation across the membrane to build up an electrochemical gradient. The sodium-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR), a membrane protein complex widespread among pathogenic bacteria, consists of six subunits, NqrA, B, C, D, E and F. To our knowledge, no structural information on the Na(+)-NQR complex has been available until now. Here we present the crystal structure of the Na(+)-NQR complex at 3.5 Å resolution. The arrangement of cofactors both at the cytoplasmic and the periplasmic side of the complex, together with a hitherto unknown iron centre in the midst of the membrane-embedded part, reveals an electron transfer pathway from the NADH-oxidizing cytoplasmic NqrF subunit across the membrane to the periplasmic NqrC, and back to the quinone reduction site on NqrA located in the cytoplasm. A sodium channel was localized in subunit NqrB, which represents the largest membrane subunit of the Na(+)-NQR and is structurally related to urea and ammonia transporters. On the basis of the structure we propose a mechanism of redox-driven Na(+) translocation where the change in redox state of the flavin mononucleotide cofactor in NqrB triggers the transport of Na(+) through the observed channel.

The sodium pumping NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na⁺-NQR), a unique redox-driven ion pump

The Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR) is a unique Na(+) pumping respiratory complex found only in prokaryotes, that plays a key role in the metabolism of marine and pathogenic bacteria, including Vibrio cholerae and other human pathogens. Na(+)-NQR is the main entrance for reducing equivalents into the respiratory chain of these bacteria, catalyzing the oxidation of NADH and the reduction of quinone, the free energy of this redox reaction drives the selective translocation of Na(+) across the cell membrane, which energizes key cellular processes. In this review we summarize the unique properties of Na(+)-NQR in terms of its redox cofactor composition, electron transfer reactions and a possible mechanism of coupling and pumping.

The conformational changes induced by ubiquinone binding in the Na+-pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) are kinetically controlled by conserved glycines 140 and 141 of the NqrB subunit

Na(+)-pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR) is responsible for maintaining a sodium gradient across the inner bacterial membrane. This respiratory enzyme, which couples sodium pumping to the electron transfer between NADH and ubiquinone, is not present in eukaryotes and as such could be a target for antibiotics. In this paper it is shown that the site of ubiquinone reduction is conformationally coupled to the NqrB subunit, which also hosts the final cofactor in the electron transport chain, riboflavin. Previous work showed that mutations in conserved NqrB glycine residues 140 and 141 affect ubiquinone reduction and the proper functioning of the sodium pump. Surprisingly, these mutants did not affect the dissociation constant of ubiquinone or its analog HQNO (2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide) from Na(+)-NQR, which indicates that these residues do not participate directly in the ubiquinone binding site but probably control its accessibility. Indeed, redox-induced difference spectroscopy showed that these mutations prevented the conformational change involved in ubiquinone binding but did not modify the signals corresponding to bound ubiquinone. Moreover, data are presented that demonstrate the NqrA subunit is able to bind ubiquinone but with a low non-catalytically relevant affinity. It is also suggested that Na(+)-NQR contains a single catalytic ubiquinone binding site and a second site that can bind ubiquinone but is not active.

Localization-controlled specificity of FAD:threonine flavin transferases in Klebsiella pneumoniae and its implications for the mechanism of Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase

The Klebsiella pneumoniae genome contains genes for two putative flavin transferase enzymes (ApbE1 and ApbE2) that add FMN to protein Thr residues. ApbE1, but not ApbE2, has a periplasm-addressing signal sequence. The genome also contains genes for three target proteins with the Dxx(s/t)gAT flavinylation motif: two subunits of Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR), and a 99.5kDa protein, KPK_2907, with a previously unknown function. We show here that KPK_2907 is an active cytoplasmically-localized fumarate reductase. K. pneumoniae cells with an inactivated kpk_2907 gene lack cytoplasmic fumarate reductase activity, while retaining this activity in the membrane fraction. Complementation of the mutant strain with a kpk_2907-containing plasmid resulted in a complete recovery of cytoplasmic fumarate reductase activity. KPK_2907 produced in Escherichia coli cells contains 1mol/mol each of covalently bound FMN, noncovalently bound FMN and noncovalently bound FAD. Lesion in the ApbE1 gene in K. pneumoniae resulted in inactive Na(+)-NQR, but cytoplasmic fumarate reductase activity remained unchanged. On the contrary, lesion in the ApbE2 gene abolished the fumarate reductase but not the Na(+)-NQR activity. Both activities could be restored by transformation of the ApbE1- or ApbE2-deficient K. pneumoniae strains with plasmids containing the Vibrio cholerae apbE gene with or without the periplasm-directing signal sequence, respectively. Our data thus indicate that ApbE1 and ApbE2 bind FMN to Na(+)-NQR and fumarate reductase, respectively, and that, contrary to the presently accepted view, the FMN residues are on the periplasmic side of Na(+)-NQR. A new, "electron loop" mechanism is proposed for Na(+)-NQR, involving an electroneutral Na(+)/electron symport. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 18th European Bioenergetic Conference.

Sodium-dependent movement of covalently bound FMN residue(s) in Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase

Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR) is a component of respiratory electron-transport chain of various bacteria generating redox-driven transmembrane electrochemical Na(+) potential. We found that the change in Na(+) concentration in the reaction medium has no effect on the thermodynamic properties of prosthetic groups of Na(+)-NQR from Vibrio harveyi, as was revealed by the anaerobic equilibrium redox titration of the enzyme's EPR spectra. On the other hand, the change in Na(+) concentration strongly alters the EPR spectral properties of the radical pair formed by the two anionic semiquinones of FMN residues bound to the NqrB and NqrC subunits (FMN(NqrB) and FMN(NqrC)). Using data obtained by pulse X- and Q-band EPR as well as by pulse ENDOR and ELDOR spectroscopy, the interspin distance between FMN(NqrB) and FMN(NqrC) was found to be 15.3 Å in the absence and 20.4 Å in the presence of Na(+), respectively. Thus, the distance between the covalently bound FMN residues can vary by about 5 Å upon changes in Na(+) concentration. Using these results, we propose a scheme of the sodium potential generation by Na(+)-NQR based on the redox- and sodium-dependent conformational changes in the enzyme.

Insights into the mechanism of electron transfer and sodium translocation of the Na(+)-pumping NADH:quinone oxidoreductase

Na(+)-NQR is a unique energy-transducing complex, widely distributed among marine and pathogenic bacteria. It converts the energy from the oxidation of NADH and the reduction of quinone into an electrochemical Na(+)-gradient that can provide energy for the cell. Na(+)-NQR is not homologous to any other respiratory protein but is closely related to the RNF complex. In this review we propose that sodium pumping in Na(+)-NQR is coupled to the redox reactions by a novel mechanism, which operates at multiple sites, is indirect and mediated by conformational changes of the protein. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 17th European Bioenergetics Conference (EBEC 2012).

Sodium-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase as a redox-driven ion pump

The Na+-translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) is a component of the respiratory chain of various bacteria. This enzyme is an analogous but not homologous counterpart of mitochondrial Complex I. Na+-NQR drives the same chemistry and also uses released energy to translocate ions across the membrane, but it pumps Na+ instead of H+. Most likely the mechanism of sodium pumping is quite different from that of proton pumping (for example, it could not accommodate the Grotthuss mechanism of ion movement); this is why the enzyme structure, subunits and prosthetic groups are completely special. This review summarizes modern knowledge on the structural and catalytic properties of bacterial Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductases. The sequence of electron transfer through the enzyme cofactors and thermodynamic properties of those cofactors is discussed. The resolution of the intermediates of the catalytic cycle and localization of sodium-dependent steps are combined in a possible molecular mechanism of sodium transfer by the enzyme.

Redox properties of the prosthetic groups of Na(+)-translocating nadh:quinone oxidoreductase. 1. Electron paramagnetic resonance study of the enzyme

Redox properties of all EPR-detectable prosthetic groups of Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR) from Vibrio harveyi were studied at pH 7.5 using cryo-EPR spectroelectrochemistry. Titration shows five redox transitions. One with E(m) = -275 mV belongs to the reduction of the [2Fe-2S] cluster, and the four others reflect redox transitions of flavin cofactors. Two transitions (E(m)(1) = -190 mV and E(m)(2) = -275 mV) originate from the formation of FMN anion radical, covalently bound to the NqrC subunit, and its subsequent reduction. The remaining two transitions arise from the two other flavin cofactors. A high potential (E(m) = -10 mV) transition corresponds to the reduction of riboflavin neutral radical, which is stable at rather high redox potentials. An E(m) = -130 mV transition reflects the formation of FMN anion radical from a flavin covalently bound to the NqrB subunit, which stays as a radical down to very low potentials. Taking into account the EPR-silent, two-electron transition of noncovalently bound FAD located in the NqrF subunit, there are four flavins in Na(+)-NQR all together. Defined by dipole-dipole magnetic interaction measurements, the interspin distance between the [2Fe-2S](+) cluster and the NqrB subunit-bound FMN anion radical is found to be 22.5 +/- 1.5 A, which means that for the functional electron transfer between these two centers another cofactor, most likely FMN bound to the NqrC subunit, should be located.

Redox properties of the prosthetic groups of Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase. 2. Study of the enzyme by optical spectroscopy

Redox titration of the electronic spectra of the prosthetic groups of the Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR) from Vibrio harveyi at different pH values showed five redox transitions corresponding to the four flavin cofactors of the enzyme and one additional transition reflecting oxidoreduction of the [2Fe-2S] cluster. The pH dependence of the measured midpoint redox potentials showed that the two-electron reduction of the FAD located in the NqrF subunit was coupled with the uptake of only one H(+). The one-electron reduction of neutral semiquinone of riboflavin and the formation of anion flavosemiquinone from the oxidized FMN bound to the NqrB subunit were not coupled to any proton uptake. The two sequential one-electron reductions of the FMN residue bound to the NqrC subunit showed pH-independent formation of anion radical in the first step and the formation of fully reduced flavin coupled to the uptake of one H(+) in the second step. All four flavins stayed in the anionic form in the fully reduced enzyme. None of the six redox transitions in Na(+)-NQR showed dependence of its midpoint redox potential on the concentration of sodium ions. A model of the sequence of electron transfer steps in the enzyme is suggested.

The Electron Transfer Pathway of the Na+-pumping NADH:Quinone Oxidoreductase from Vibrio cholerae

The Na(+)-pumping NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR) is the only respiratory enzyme that operates as a Na(+) pump. This redox-driven Na(+) pump is amenable to experimental approaches not available for H(+) pumps, providing an excellent system for mechanistic studies of ion translocation. An understanding of the internal electron transfer steps and their Na(+) dependence is an essential prerequisite for such studies. To this end, we analyzed the reduction kinetics of the wild type Na(+)-NQR, as well as site-directed mutants of the enzyme, which lack specific cofactors. NADH and ubiquinol were used as reductants in separate experiments, and a full spectrum UV-visible stopped flow kinetic method was employed. The results make it possible to define the complete sequence of redox carriers in the electrons transfer pathway through the enzyme. Electrons flow from NADH to quinone through the FAD in subunit F, the 2Fe-2S center, the FMN in subunit C, the FMN in subunit B, and finally riboflavin. The reduction of the FMN(C) to its anionic flavosemiquinone state is the first Na(+)-dependent process, suggesting that reduction of this site is linked to Na(+) uptake. During the reduction reaction, two FMNs are transformed to their anionic flavosemiquinone in a single kinetic step. Subsequently, FMN(C) is converted to the flavohydroquinone, accounting for the single anionic flavosemiquinone radical in the fully reduced enzyme. A model of the electron transfer steps in the catalytic cycle of Na(+)-NQR is presented to account for the kinetic and spectroscopic data.

The Na+-translocating NADH : ubiquinone oxidoreductase of Azotobacter vinelandii negatively regulates alginate synthesis

Azotobacter vinelandii is a nitrogen-fixing soil bacterium that produces the exopolysaccharide alginate. In this report we describe the isolation and characterization of A. vinelandii strain GG4, which carries an nqrE : : Tn5 mutation resulting in alginate overproduction. The nqrE gene encodes a subunit of the Na+-translocating NADH : ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR). As expected, Na+-NQR activity was abolished in mutant GG4. When this strain was complemented with the nqrEF genes this activity was restored and alginate production was reduced to wild-type levels. Na+-NQR may be the main sodium pump of A. vinelandii under the conditions tested (∼2 mM Na+) since no Na+/H+-antiporter activity was detected. Collectively our results indicate that in A. vinelandii the lack of Na+-NQR activity caused the absence of a transmembrane Na+ gradient and an increase in alginate production.

Primary steps of the Na+-translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase catalytic cycle resolved by the ultrafast freeze-quench approach

The Na(+)-translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR) is a component of respiratory chain of various bacteria, and it generates a redox-driven transmembrane electrochemical Na(+) potential. Primary steps of the catalytic cycle of Na(+)-NQR from Vibrio harveyi were followed by the ultrafast freeze-quench approach in combination with conventional stopped-flow technique. The obtained sequence of events includes NADH binding ( approximately 1.5 x 10(7) m(-1) s(-1)), hydride ion transfer from NADH to FAD ( approximately 3.5 x 10(3) s(-1)), and partial electron separation and formation of equivalent fractions of reduced 2Fe-2S cluster and neutral semiquinone of FAD ( approximately 0.97 x 10(3) s(-1)). In the last step, a quasi-equilibrium is approached between the two states of FAD: two-electron reduced (50%) and one-electron reduced (the other 50%) species. The latter, neutral semiquinone of FAD, shares the second electron with the 2Fe-2S center. The transient midpoint redox potentials for the cofactors obtained during the fast kinetics measurements are very different from ones achieved during equilibrium redox titration and show that the functional states of the enzyme realized during its turning over cannot be modeled by the equilibrium approach.

Riboflavin is an active redox cofactor in the Na+-pumping NADH: quinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) from Vibrio cholerae

Here we present new evidence that riboflavin is present as one of four flavins in Na+-NQR. In particular, we present conclusive evidence that the source of the neutral radical is not one of the FMNs and that riboflavin is the center that gives rise to the neutral flavosemiquinone. The riboflavin is a bona fide redox cofactor and is likely to be the last redox carrier of the enzyme, from which electrons are donated to quinone. We have constructed a double mutant that lacks both covalently bound FMN cofactors (NqrB-T236Y/NqrC-T225Y) and have studied this mutant together with the two single mutants (NqrB-T236Y and NqrC-T225Y) and a mutant that lacks the noncovalently bound FAD in NqrF (NqrF-S246A). The double mutant contains riboflavin and FAD in a 0.6:1 ratio, as the only flavins in the enzyme; noncovalently bound flavins were detected. In the oxidized form, the double mutant exhibits an EPR signal consistent with a neutral flavosemiquinone radical, which is abolished on reduction of the enzyme. The same radical can be observed in the FAD deletion mutant. Furthermore, when the oxidized enzyme reacts with ubiquinol (the reduced form of the usual electron acceptor) in a process that reverses the physiological direction of the electron flow, a single kinetic phase is observed. The kinetic difference spectrum of this process is consistent with one-electron reduction of a neutral flavosemiquinone. The presence of riboflavin in the role of a redox cofactor is thus far unique to Na+-NQR.

Covalent binding of flavins to RnfG and RnfD in the Rnf complex from Vibrio cholerae

Enzymes of the Rnf family are believed to be bacterial redox-driven ion pumps, coupling an oxidoreduction process to the translocation of Na+ across the cell membrane. Here we show for the first time that Rnf is a flavoprotein, with FMN covalently bound to threonine-175 in RnfG and a second flavin bound to threonine-187 in RnfD. Rnf subunits D and G are homologous to subunits B and C of Na+-NQR, respectively. Each of these Na+-NQR subunits includes a conserved S(T)GAT motif, with FMN covalently bound to the final threonine. RnfD and RnfG both contain the same motif, suggesting that they bind flavins in a similar way. In order to investigate this, the genes for RnfD and RnfG from Vibrio cholerae were cloned and expressed individually in that organism. In both cases the produced protein fluoresced under UV illumination on an SDS gel, further indicating the presence of flavin. However, analysis of the mutants RnfG-T175L, RnfD-T278L, and RnfD-T187V showed that RnfG-T175 and RnfD-T187 are the likely flavin ligands. This indicates that, in the case of RnfD, the flavin is bound, not to the SGAT sequence but to the final residues of a TMAT sequence, a novel variant of the flavin binding motif. In the case of RnfG, flavin analysis, followed by MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry, showed that an FMN is covalently attached to threonine-175, the final threonine of the S(T)GAT sequence. Studies by visible, EPR, and ENDOR spectroscopy showed that, upon partial reduction, the isolated RnfG produces a neutral semiquinone intermediate. The semiquinone species disappeared upon full reduction and was not observed in the denatured protein. A topological analysis combining reporter protein fusion and computer predictions indicated that the flavins in RnfG and RnfD are localized in the periplasmic space. In contrast, in NqrC and NqrB the flavins are located in a cytoplasmic loop. This topological analysis suggests that there may be mechanistic differences between the Rnf and Na+-NQR complexes.

Regulation of expression of Na+ -translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase genes in Vibrio harveyi and Klebsiella pneumoniae

The expression of genes encoding sodium-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR) was studied in the marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi and in the enterobacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae. It has been shown that such parameters as NaCl concentration, pH value, and presence of an uncoupler in the growth media do not influence significantly the level of nqr expression. However, nqr expression depends on the growth substrates used by these bacteria. Na(+)-NQR is highly repressed in V. harveyi during anaerobic growth, and nqr expression is modulated by electron acceptors and values of their redox potentials. The latter effect was shown to be independent of the ArcAB regulatory system.

The three families of respiratory NADH dehydrogenases

Most reducing equivalents extracted from foodstuffs during oxidative metabolism are fed into the respiratory chains of aerobic bacteria and mitochondria by NADH:quinone oxidoreductases. Three families of enzymes can perform this task and differ remarkably in their complexity and role in energy conversion. Alternative or NDH-2-type NADH dehydrogenases are simple one subunit flavoenzymes that completely dissipate the redox energy of the NADH/quinone couple. Sodium-pumping NADH dehydrogenases (Nqr) that are only found in procaryotes contain several flavins and are integral membrane protein complexes composed of six different subunits. Proton-pumping NADH dehydrogenases (NDH-1 or complex I) are highly complicated membrane protein complexes, composed of up to 45 different subunits, that are found in bacteria and mitochondria. This review gives an overview of the origin, structural and functional properties and physiological significance of these three types of NADH dehydrogenase.

A New Flavin Radical Signal in the Na+-pumping NADH:Quinone Oxidoreductase from Vibrio cholerae

The Na(+)-pumping NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase has six polypeptide subunits (NqrA-F) and a number of redox cofactors, including a noncovalently bound FAD and a 2Fe-2S center in subunit F, covalently bound FMNs in subunits B and C, and a noncovalently bound riboflavin in an undisclosed location. The FMN cofactors in subunits B and C are bound to threonine residues by phosphoester linkages. A neutral flavin-semiquinone radical is observed in the oxidized enzyme, whereas an anionic flavin-semiquinone has been reported in the reduced enzyme. For this work, we have altered the binding ligands of the FMNs in subunits B and C by replacing the threonine ligands with other amino acids, and we studied the resulting mutants by EPR and electron nuclear double resonance spectroscopy. We conclude that the sodium-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase forms three spectroscopically distinct flavin radicals as follows: 1) a neutral radical in the oxidized enzyme, which is observed in all of the mutants and most likely arises from the riboflavin; 2) an anionic radical observed in the fully reduced enzyme, which is present in wild type, and the NqrC-T225Y mutant but not the NqrB-T236Y mutant; 3) a second anionic radical, seen primarily under weakly reducing conditions, which is present in wild type, and the NqrB-T236Y mutant but not the NqrC-T225Y mutant. Thus, we can tentatively assign the first anionic radical to the FMN in subunit B and the second to the FMN in subunit C. The second anionic radical has not been reported previously. In electron nuclear double resonance spectra, it exhibits a larger line width and larger 8alpha-methyl proton splittings, compared with the first anionic radical.

Membrane topology mapping of the Na+-pumping NADH: quinone oxidoreductase from Vibrio cholerae by PhoA-green fluorescent protein fusion analysis

The membrane topologies of the six subunits of Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) from Vibrio cholerae were determined by a combination of topology prediction algorithms and the construction of C-terminal fusions. Fusion expression vectors contained either bacterial alkaline phosphatase (phoA) or green fluorescent protein (gfp) genes as reporters of periplasmic and cytoplasmic localization, respectively. A majority of the topology prediction algorithms did not predict any transmembrane helices for NqrA. A lack of PhoA activity when fused to the C terminus of NqrA and the observed fluorescence of the green fluorescent protein C-terminal fusion confirm that this subunit is localized to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. Analysis of four PhoA fusions for NqrB indicates that this subunit has nine transmembrane helices and that residue T236, the binding site for flavin mononucleotide (FMN), resides in the cytoplasm. Three fusions confirm that the topology of NqrC consists of two transmembrane helices with the FMN binding site at residue T225 on the cytoplasmic side. Fusion analysis of NqrD and NqrE showed almost mirror image topologies, each consisting of six transmembrane helices; the results for NqrD and NqrE are consistent with the topologies of Escherichia coli homologs YdgQ and YdgL, respectively. The NADH, flavin adenine dinucleotide, and Fe-S center binding sites of NqrF were localized to the cytoplasm. The determination of the topologies of the subunits of Na+-NQR provides valuable insights into the location of cofactors and identifies targets for mutagenesis to characterize this enzyme in more detail. The finding that all the redox cofactors are localized to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane is discussed.

Na(+)-Translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase: progress achieved and prospects of investigations

Structural and catalytic properties of bacterial Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductases are briefly described. Special attention is given to studies on kinetics of the enzyme interaction with NADH and the role of sodium ions in this process. Based on the existing data, possible model mechanisms of sodium transfer by Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase are proposed.

A Vertebrate-type Ferredoxin Domain in the Na+-translocating NADH Dehydrogenase from Vibrio cholerae

The Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase from Vibrio cholerae contains a single Fe-S cluster localized in subunit NqrF. Here we study the electronic properties of the Fe-S center in a truncated version of the NqrF subunit comprising only its ferredoxin-like Fe-S domain. Mössbauer spectroscopy of the Fe-S domain in the oxidized state is consistent with a binuclear Fe-S cluster with tetrahedral sulfur coordination by the cysteine residues Cys(70), Cys(76), Cys(79), and Cys(111). Important sequence motifs surrounding these cysteines are conserved in the Fe-S domain and in vertebrate-type ferredoxins. The magnetic circular dichroism spectra of the photochemically reduced Fe-S domain exhibit a striking similarity to the magnetic circular dichroism spectra of vertebrate-type ferredoxins required for the in vivo assembly of iron-sulfur clusters. This study reveals a novel function for vertebrate-type [2Fe-2S] clusters as redox cofactors in respiratory dehydrogenases.

The origin of the sodium-dependent NADH oxidation by the respiratory chain ofKlebsiella pneumoniae

Properties of Klebsiella pneumoniae respiratory chain enzymes catalyzing NADH oxidation have been studied. Using constructed K. pneumoniae mutant strains, it was shown that three enzymes belonging to different families of NADH:quinone oxidoreductases operate in this bacterium. The NDH-2-type enzyme is not coupled with energy conservation, the NDH-1-type enzyme is a primary proton pump, and the NQR-type enzyme is homologous to the sodium-motive NADH dehydrogenase of Vibrio and is shown to be a primary Na(+) pump. It is concluded that the NQR-type enzyme, not the NDH-1-type enzyme, catalyzes sodium-dependent NADH oxidation in K. pneumoniae.

NADH oxidation by the Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase from Vibrio cholerae: functional role of the NqrF subunit

The Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase from Vibrio cholerae is a six subunit enzyme containing four flavins and a single motif for the binding of a Fe-S cluster on its NqrF subunit. This study reports the production of a soluble variant of NqrF (NqrF') and its individual flavin and Fe-S-carrying domains using V. cholerae or Escherichia coli as expression hosts. NqrF' and the flavin domain each contain 1 mol of FAD/mol of enzyme and exhibit high NADH oxidation activity (20,000 micromol min(-1) mg(-1)). EPR, visible absorption, and circular dichroism spectroscopy indicate that the Fe-S cluster in NqrF' and its Fe-S domain is related to 2Fe ferredoxins of the vertebrate-type. The addition of NADH to NqrF' results in the formation of a neutral flavosemiquinone and a partial reduction of the Fe-S cluster. The NqrF subunit harbors the active site of NADH oxidation and acts as a converter between the hydride donor NADH and subsequent one-electron reaction steps in the Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase complex. The observed electron transfer NADH --> FAD --> [2Fe-2S] in NqrF requires positioning of the FAD and the Fe-S cluster in close proximity in accordance with a structural model of the subunit.