1
|
Liu JY, Lin FL, Taizoumbe KA, Lv JM, Wang YH, Wang GQ, Chen GD, Yao XS, Hu D, Gao H, Dickschat JS. A Functional Switch Between Asperfumene and Fusicoccadiene Synthase and Entrance to Asperfumene Biosynthesis through a Vicinal Deprotonation-Reprotonation Process. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202407895. [PMID: 38949843 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202407895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The diterpene synthase AfAS was identified from Aspergillus fumigatiaffinis. Its amino acid sequence and-according to a structural model-active site architecture are highly similar to those of the fusicocca-2,10(14)-diene synthase PaFS, but AfAS produces a structurally much more complex diterpene with a novel 6-5-5-5 tetracyclic skeleton called asperfumene. The cyclisation mechanism of AfAS was elucidated through isotopic labelling experiments and DFT calculations. The reaction cascade proceeds in its initial steps through similar intermediates as for the PaFS cascade, but then diverges through an unusual vicinal deprotonation-reprotonation process that triggers a skeletal rearrangement at the entrance to the steps leading to the unique asperfumene skeleton. The structural model revealed only one major difference between the active sites: The PaFS residue F65 is substituted by I65 in AfAS. Intriguingly, site-directed mutagenesis experiments with both diterpene synthases revealed that position 65 serves as a bidirectional functional switch for the biosynthesis of tetracyclic asperfumene versus structurally less complex diterpenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yuan Liu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Fu-Long Lin
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Kizerbo A Taizoumbe
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jian-Ming Lv
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yong-Heng Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Gao-Qian Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Guo-Dong Chen
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xin-Sheng Yao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Dan Hu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Hao Gao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jeroen S Dickschat
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schwartz R, Zev S, Major DT. Differential Substrate Sensing in Terpene Synthases from Plants and Microorganisms: Insight from Structural, Bioinformatic, and EnzyDock Analyses. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400743. [PMID: 38556463 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Terpene synthases (TPSs) catalyze the first step in the formation of terpenoids, which comprise the largest class of natural products in nature. TPSs employ a family of universal natural substrates, composed of isoprenoid units bound to a diphosphate moiety. The intricate structures generated by TPSs are the result of substrate binding and folding in the active site, enzyme-controlled carbocation reaction cascades, and final reaction quenching. A key unaddressed question in class I TPSs is the asymmetric nature of the diphosphate-(Mg2+)3 cluster, which forms a critical part of the active site. In this asymmetric ion cluster, two diphosphate oxygen atoms protrude into the active site pocket. The substrate hydrocarbon tail, which is eventually molded into terpenes, can bind to either of these oxygen atoms, yet to which is unknown. Herein, we employ structural, bioinformatics, and EnzyDock docking tools to address this enigma. We bring initial data suggesting that this difference is rooted in evolutionary differences between TPSs. We hypothesize that this alteration in binding, and subsequent chemistry, is due to TPSs originating from plants or microorganisms. We further suggest that this difference can cast light on the frequent observation that the chiral products or intermediates of plant and bacterial terpene synthases represent opposite enantiomers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Dan T Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kumar RP, Matos JO, Black BY, Ellenburg WH, Chen J, Patterson M, Gehtman JA, Theobald DL, Krauss IJ, Oprian DD. Crystal Structure of Caryolan-1-ol Synthase, a Sesquiterpene Synthase Catalyzing an Initial Anti-Markovnikov Cyclization Reaction. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.04.592530. [PMID: 38746203 PMCID: PMC11092760 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.04.592530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
In a continuing effort to understand reaction mechanisms of terpene synthases catalyzing initial anti-Markovnikov cyclization reactions, we solved the X-ray crystal structure of (+)-caryolan-1-ol synthase (CS) from Streptomyces griseus , with and without an inactive analog of the FPP substrate, 2-fluorofarnesyl diphosphate (2FFPP), bound in the active site of the enzyme. The CS-2FFPP complex was solved to 2.65 Å resolution and showed the ligand in a linear, elongated orientation, incapable of undergoing the initial cyclization event to form a bond between carbons C1 and C11. Intriguingly, the apo CS structure (2.2 Å) also had electron density in the active site, in this case density that was well fit with a curled-up tetraethylene glycol molecule presumably recruited from the crystallization medium. The density was also well fit by a molecule of farnesene suggesting that the structure may mimic an intermediate along the reaction coordinate. The curled-up conformation of tetraethylene glycol was accompanied by dramatic rotamer shifts among active-site residues. Most notably, W56 was observed to undergo a 90° rotation between the 2FFPP complex and apo-enzyme structures, suggesting that it contributes to steric interactions that help curl the tetraethylene glycol molecule in the active site, and by extension perhaps also a derivative of the FPP substrate in the normal course of the cyclization reaction. In support of this proposal, the CS W56L variant lost the ability to cyclize the FPP substrate and produced only the linear terpene products farnesol and α- and β-farnesene.
Collapse
|
4
|
Ellenburg WH, Oprian DD. Understanding mechanisms of terpene synthases using substrate analogs. Methods Enzymol 2024; 699:187-205. [PMID: 38942503 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Terpene synthases (TS) transform achiral prenyl substrates into elaborate hydrocarbon scaffolds with multiple stereocenters through a series of cyclization reactions and carbon skeleton rearrangements. The reactions involve high-energy carbocation intermediates that must be stabilized by the enzyme along the pathway to the desired products. A variety of substrate analogs have been used to investigate TS mechanism. This article will focus on a class of analogs which strategically replace hydrogen atoms with fluorine to inhibit the generation of specific carbocation intermediates. We will explore the synthesis and use of the analogs to study TS mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel D Oprian
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nie S, Wang S, Chen R, Ge M, Yan X, Qiao J. Catalytic Mechanism and Heterologous Biosynthesis Application of Sesquiterpene Synthases. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:6871-6888. [PMID: 38526460 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Sesquiterpenes comprise a diverse group of natural products with a wide range of applications in cosmetics, food, medicine, agriculture, and biofuels. Heterologous biosynthesis is increasingly employed for sesquiterpene production, aiming to overcome the limitations associated with chemical synthesis and natural extraction. Sesquiterpene synthases (STSs) play a crucial role in the heterologous biosynthesis of sesquiterpene. Under the catalysis of STSs, over 300 skeletons are produced through various cyclization processes (C1-C10 closure, C1-C11 closure, C1-C6 closure, and C1-C7 closure), which are responsible for the diversity of sesquiterpenes. According to the cyclization types, we gave an overview of advances in understanding the mechanism of STSs cyclization from the aspects of protein crystal structures and site-directed mutagenesis. We also summarized the applications of engineering STSs in the heterologous biosynthesis of sesquiterpene. Finally, the bottlenecks and potential research directions related to the STSs cyclization mechanism and application of modified STSs were presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengxin Nie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Zhejiang Institute of Tianjin University (Shaoxing), Shaoxing 312300, China
| | - Shengli Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Zhejiang Institute of Tianjin University (Shaoxing), Shaoxing 312300, China
| | - Ruiqi Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Zhejiang Institute of Tianjin University (Shaoxing), Shaoxing 312300, China
| | - Mingyue Ge
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Zhejiang Institute of Tianjin University (Shaoxing), Shaoxing 312300, China
| | - Xiaoguang Yan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Zhejiang Institute of Tianjin University (Shaoxing), Shaoxing 312300, China
| | - Jianjun Qiao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Zhejiang Institute of Tianjin University (Shaoxing), Shaoxing 312300, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu H, Köllner TG, Chen F, Dickschat JS. Mechanistic characterisation of a sesquiterpene synthase for asterisca-1,6-diene from the liverwort Radula lindenbergiana and implications for pentalenene biosynthesis. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:1360-1364. [PMID: 38240688 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob02088f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
A sesquiterpene synthase from the liverwort Radula lindenbergiana was characterised and shown to produce the new sesquiterpene hydrocarbon (3R,9R)-asterisca-1,6-diene, besides small amounts of pentalenene. The biosynthesis of asterisca-1,6-diene was studied through isotopic labelling experiments, giving additional insights into the long discussed biosynthesis of pentalenene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Houchao Xu
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Tobias G Köllner
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2431 Joe Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-4561, USA
| | - Jeroen S Dickschat
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Whitehead J, Leferink NGH, Johannissen LO, Hay S, Scrutton NS. Decoding Catalysis by Terpene Synthases. ACS Catal 2023; 13:12774-12802. [PMID: 37822860 PMCID: PMC10563020 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c03047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The review by Christianson, published in 2017 on the twentieth anniversary of the emergence of the field, summarizes the foundational discoveries and key advances in terpene synthase/cyclase (TS) biocatalysis (Christianson, D. W. Chem Rev2017, 117 (17), 11570-11648. DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00287). Here, we review the TS literature published since then, bringing the field up to date and looking forward to what could be the near future of TS rational design. Many revealing discoveries have been made in recent years, building on the knowledge and fundamental principles uncovered during those initial two decades of study. We use these to explore TS reaction chemistry and see how a combined experimental and computational approach helps to decipher the complexities of TS catalysis. Revealed are a suite of catalytic motifs which control product outcome in TSs, some obvious, some more subtle. We examine each in detail, using the most recent papers and insights to illustrate how exactly this fascinating class of enzymes takes a single acyclic substrate and turns it into the many thousands of complex terpenoids found in Nature. We then explore some of the recent strategies for TS engineering, including machine learning and other data-driven approaches. From this, rational and predictive engineering of TSs, "designer terpene synthases", will begin to emerge as a realistic goal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua
N. Whitehead
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole G. H. Leferink
- Future
Biomanufacturing Research Hub (FBRH), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology,
Department of Chemistry, The University
of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United
Kingdom
| | - Linus O. Johannissen
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Hay
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel S. Scrutton
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
- Future
Biomanufacturing Research Hub (FBRH), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology,
Department of Chemistry, The University
of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United
Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chen SC, Jiang BC, Lu YJ, Chang CH, Wu TH, Lin SW, Yin HW, Lee TH, Hsu CH. Characterization and Crystal Structures of a Cubebol-Producing Sesquiterpene Synthase from Antrodia cinnamomea. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:13014-13023. [PMID: 37566786 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c00570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Antrodia cinnamomea is an endemic species found in Taiwan, known for its medicinal properties in treating various discomforts, including inflammation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other diseases. A. cinnamomea contains terpenoids that exhibit numerous bioactivities, making them potential food additives. This discovery piqued our interest in uncovering their biosynthetic pathway. Herein, we conducted functional and structural characterization of a sesquiterpene synthase Cop4 from A. cinnamomea (AcCop4). Through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, we observed that AcCop4 catalyzes the cyclization of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), primarily producing cubebol. Cubebol is widely used as a long-lasting cooling and refreshing agent in the food industry. The structure of AcCop4, complexed with pyrophosphate and magnesium ions, revealed the closure of the active site facilitated by R311. Interestingly, binding of pyrophosphate and magnesium ions did not cause any significant conformational change in the G1/2 helix of AcCop4, indicating that the apo form is not fully open. This high-resolution structure serves as a solid basis for understanding the biosynthetic mechanism of AcCop4 and supports further production and modification of cubebol for its applications in the food industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Chia Chen
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- Institute of Fisheries Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Chen Jiang
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ju Lu
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hao Chang
- Institute of Fisheries Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Han Wu
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Wei Lin
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hua-Wen Yin
- Institute of Fisheries Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Tzong-Huei Lee
- Institute of Fisheries Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hua Hsu
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu H, Fang S, Zhao L, Men X, Zhang H. A Single Active-Site Mutagenesis Confers Enhanced Activity and/or Changed Product Distribution to a Pentalenene Synthase from Streptomyces sp. PSKA01. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10030392. [PMID: 36978783 PMCID: PMC10045451 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10030392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pentalenene is a ternary cyclic sesquiterpene formed via the ionization and cyclization of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), which is catalyzed by pentalenene synthase (PentS). To better understand the cyclization reactions, it is necessary to identify more key sites and elucidate their roles in terms of catalytic activity and product specificity control. Previous studies primarily relied on the crystal structure of PentS to analyze and verify critical active sites in the active cavity, while this study started with the function of PentS and screened a novel key site through random mutagenesis. In this study, we constructed a pentalenene synthetic pathway in E. coli BL21(DE3) and generated PentS variants with random mutations to construct a mutant library. A mutant, PentS-13, with a varied product diversity, was obtained through shake-flask fermentation and product identification. After sequencing and the functional verification of the mutation sites, it was found that T182A, located in the G2 helix, was responsible for the phenotype of PentS-13. The site-saturation mutagenesis of T182 demonstrated that mutations at this site not only affected the solubility and activity of the enzyme but also affected the specificity of the product. The other products were generated through different routes and via different carbocation intermediates, indicating that the 182 active site is crucial for PentS to stabilize and guide the regioselectivity of carbocations. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggested that these mutations may induce changes in the shape and volume of the active cavity and disturb hydrophobic/polar interactions that were sufficient to reposition reactive intermediates for alternative reaction pathways. This article provides rational explanations for these findings, which may generally allow for the protein engineering of other terpene synthases to improve their catalytic efficiency or modify their specificities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongshuang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250316, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biobased Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Senbiao Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biobased Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250316, China
| | - Xiao Men
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biobased Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Haibo Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biobased Materials, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang T, Yang Y, He M, Liu M, Huang JW, Min J, Chen CC, Liu Y, Zhang L, Guo RT. Structural insights into the cyclization of unusual brasilane-type sesquiterpenes. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 209:1784-1791. [PMID: 35504416 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.04.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The biosynthesis of brasilane-type sesquiterpenoids (BTSs) attracts much attention owing to their unique skeleton of 5/6 bicyclic structure that contains five Me groups. Here, the crystal structures of a BTS cyclase TaTC6 from Trichoderma atroviride FKI-3849 and its complexes with farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and analogue were reported. These structural information reveal that TaTC6 exploits a hydrophobic pocket to constrain the hydrocarbon region of FPP in a "U-shape" to facilitate the initial C1-C11 bond formation after pyrophosphate ionization. Following, four carbocations of reaction intermediates were molecularly docked into the hydrophobic pocket to reveal critical residues involved in the cyclization cascade. Finally, an S239-stabilized water molecule that is 3.9 Å away from the C8 of the last allyl cation may conduct hydration to quench the reaction cascade. Mutating S239 to alanine led to ca. 40% reduction in activity compared with the wild-type enzyme. The conservation of the residues that constitute the hydrophobic pocket is also discussed. Overall, this study will give an insight into the mechanism of how the active site of STCs constrain the conformation of the flexible FPP and series allylic carbocations for the complicated-ring formation and unusual carbon rearrangement in the biosynthesis of BTSs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Yu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Min He
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Min Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Jian-Wen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Jian Min
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Chun-Chi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Yingle Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China.
| | - Lilan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China..
| | - Rey-Ting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China..
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Leferink NGH, Scrutton NS. Predictive Engineering of Class I Terpene Synthases Using Experimental and Computational Approaches. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202100484. [PMID: 34669250 PMCID: PMC9298401 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Terpenoids are a highly diverse group of natural products with considerable industrial interest. Increasingly, engineered microbes are used for the production of terpenoids to replace natural extracts and chemical synthesis. Terpene synthases (TSs) show a high level of functional plasticity and are responsible for the vast structural diversity observed in natural terpenoids. Their relatively inert active sites guide intrinsically reactive linear carbocation intermediates along one of many cyclisation paths via exertion of subtle steric and electrostatic control. Due to the absence of a strong protein interaction with these intermediates, there is a remarkable lack of sequence-function relationship within the TS family, making product-outcome predictions from sequences alone challenging. This, in combination with the fact that many TSs produce multiple products from a single substrate hampers the design and use of TSs in the biomanufacturing of terpenoids. This review highlights recent advances in genome mining, computational modelling, high-throughput screening, and machine-learning that will allow more predictive engineering of these fascinating enzymes in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole G. H. Leferink
- Future Biomanufacturing Research HubManchester Institute of BiotechnologyDepartment of ChemistrySchool of Natural SciencesThe University of Manchester131 Princess StreetManchesterM1 7DNUK
| | - Nigel S. Scrutton
- Future Biomanufacturing Research HubManchester Institute of BiotechnologyDepartment of ChemistrySchool of Natural SciencesThe University of Manchester131 Princess StreetManchesterM1 7DNUK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dickschat JS, Xu H. Mechanistic Investigations on Microbial Type I Terpene Synthases through Site-Directed Mutagenesis. SYNTHESIS-STUTTGART 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1675-8208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AbstractDuring the past three decades many terpene synthases have been characterised from all kingdoms of life. Enzymes of type I, from bacteria, fungi and protists, commonly exhibit several highly conserved motifs and single residues, and the available crystal structures show a shared α-helical fold, while the overall sequence identity is generally low. Several enzymes have been studied by site-directed mutagenesis, giving valuable insights into terpene synthase catalysis and the intriguing mechanisms of terpene synthases. Some mutants are also preparatively useful and give higher yields than the wild type or a different product that is otherwise difficult to access. The accumulated knowledge obtained from these studies is presented and discussed in this review.1 Introduction2 Residues for Substrate Binding and Catalysis3 Residues with Structural Function4 Residues Contouring the Active Site Cavity5 Other Residues6 Conclusions
Collapse
|