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Saikia B, Baruah A. In silico design of misfolding resistant proteins: the role of structural similarity of a competing conformational ensemble in the optimization of frustration. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:3283-3298. [PMID: 38529658 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00171k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Most state-of-the-art in silico design methods fail due to misfolding of designed sequences to a conformation other than the target. Thus, a method to design misfolding resistant proteins will provide a better understanding of the misfolding phenomenon and will also increase the success rate of in silico design methods. In this work, we optimize the conformational ensemble to be selected for negative design purposes based on the similarity of the conformational ensemble to the target. Five ensembles with different degrees of similarity to the target are created and destabilized and the target is stabilized while designing sequences using mean field theory and Monte Carlo simulation methods. The results suggest that the degree of similarity of the non-native conformations to the target plays a prominent role in designing misfolding resistant protein sequences. The design procedures that destabilize the conformational ensemble with moderate similarity to the target have proven to be more promising. Incorporation of either highly similar or highly dissimilar conformations to the target conformation into the non-native ensemble to be destabilized may lead to sequences with a higher misfolding propensity. This will significantly reduce the conformational space to be considered in any protein design procedure. Interestingly, the results suggest that a sequence with higher frustration in the target structure does not necessarily lead to a misfold prone sequence. A successful design method may purposefully choose a frustrated sequence in the target conformation if that sequence is even more frustrated in the competing non-native conformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bondeepa Saikia
- Department of Chemistry, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh 786004, India.
| | - Anupaul Baruah
- Department of Chemistry, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh 786004, India.
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2
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Malayam Parambath S, Prakash D, Swetman W, Surakanti A, Chakraborty S. Converting a cysteine-rich natively noncatalytic protein to an artificial hydrogenase. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:13325-13328. [PMID: 37867329 PMCID: PMC10894637 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc02774k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
An artificial hydrogenase is constructed when the natively noncatalytic α-domain of the Cys-rich protein metallothionein (MT) is assembled with NiII. αMT binds four eq. of NiII in a non-cooperative manner where the addition of the 1st NiII eq. affords the most catalytically active species with little effect on photocatalytic H2 production during subsequent metal addition. The critical role of protonated Cys residue(s) in H-H bond formation is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreya Malayam Parambath
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
| | - Divyansh Prakash
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
| | - Windfield Swetman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
| | - Aditya Surakanti
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
| | - Saumen Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
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3
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Selvan D, Chakraborty S. A De Novo Designed Trimeric Metalloprotein as a Ni p Model of the Acetyl-CoA Synthase. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10317. [PMID: 37373464 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210317] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a Nip site model of acetyl coenzyme-A synthase (ACS) within a de novo-designed trimer peptide that self-assembles to produce a homoleptic Ni(Cys)3 binding motif. Spectroscopic and kinetic studies of ligand binding demonstrate that Ni binding stabilizes the peptide assembly and produces a terminal NiI-CO complex. When the CO-bound state is reacted with a methyl donor, a new species is quickly produced with new spectral features. While the metal-bound CO is albeit unactivated, the presence of the methyl donor produces an activated metal-CO complex. Selective outer sphere steric modifications demonstrate that the physical properties of the ligand-bound states are altered differently depending on the location of the steric modification above or below the Ni site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanashree Selvan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, Coulter Hall, Oxford, MS 38677, USA
| | - Saumen Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, Coulter Hall, Oxford, MS 38677, USA
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4
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Leone L, Sgueglia G, La Gatta S, Chino M, Nastri F, Lombardi A. Enzymatic and Bioinspired Systems for Hydrogen Production. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108605. [PMID: 37239950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108605] [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: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The extraordinary potential of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable fuel has sparked the interest of the scientific community to find environmentally friendly methods for its production. Biological catalysts are the most attractive solution, as they usually operate under mild conditions and do not produce carbon-containing byproducts. Hydrogenases promote reversible proton reduction to hydrogen in a variety of anoxic bacteria and algae, displaying unparallel catalytic performances. Attempts to use these sophisticated enzymes in scalable hydrogen production have been hampered by limitations associated with their production and stability. Inspired by nature, significant efforts have been made in the development of artificial systems able to promote the hydrogen evolution reaction, via either electrochemical or light-driven catalysis. Starting from small-molecule coordination compounds, peptide- and protein-based architectures have been constructed around the catalytic center with the aim of reproducing hydrogenase function into robust, efficient, and cost-effective catalysts. In this review, we first provide an overview of the structural and functional properties of hydrogenases, along with their integration in devices for hydrogen and energy production. Then, we describe the most recent advances in the development of homogeneous hydrogen evolution catalysts envisioned to mimic hydrogenases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Leone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Gianmattia Sgueglia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore La Gatta
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Chino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia Nastri
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Lombardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
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5
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Lee J, Dalton RA, Baslé A, Vita N, Dennison C. Important Structural Features of Thiolate-Rich Four-Helix Bundles for Cu(I) Uptake and Removal. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:6617-6628. [PMID: 37057906 PMCID: PMC10155185 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c04490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
A family of bacterial copper storage proteins (the Csps) possess thiolate-lined four-helix bundles whose cores can be filled with Cu(I) ions. The majority of Csps are cytosolic (Csp3s), and in vitro studies carried out to date indicate that the Csp3s from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b (MtCsp3), Bacillus subtilis (BsCsp3), and Streptomyces lividans (SlCsp3) are alike. Bioinformatics have highlighted homologues with potentially different Cu(I)-binding properties from these characterized "classical" Csp3s. Determination herein of the crystal structure of the protein (RkCsp3) from the methanotroph Methylocystis sp. strain Rockwell with Cu(I) bound identifies this as the first studied example of a new subgroup of Csp3s. The most significant structural difference from classical Csp3s is the presence of only two Cu(I) sites at the mouth of the bundle via which Cu(I) ions enter and leave. This is due to the absence of three Cys residues and a His-containing motif, which allow classical Csp3s to bind five to six Cu(I) ions in this region. Regardless, RkCsp3 exhibits rapid Cu(I) binding and the fastest measured Cu(I) removal rate for a Csp3 when using high-affinity ligands as surrogate partners. New experiments on classical Csp3s demonstrate that their His-containing motif is not essential for fast Cu(I) uptake and removal. Other structural features that could be important for these functionally relevant in vitro properties are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeick Lee
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K.
| | - Rosemary A. Dalton
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K.
| | - Arnaud Baslé
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K.
| | - Nicolas Vita
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K.
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6
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Timm J, Pike DH, Mancini JA, Tyryshkin AM, Poudel S, Siess JA, Molinaro PM, McCann JJ, Waldie KM, Koder RL, Falkowski PG, Nanda V. Design of a minimal di-nickel hydrogenase peptide. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eabq1990. [PMID: 36897954 PMCID: PMC10005181 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq1990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ancestral metabolic processes involve the reversible oxidation of molecular hydrogen by hydrogenase. Extant hydrogenase enzymes are complex, comprising hundreds of amino acids and multiple cofactors. We designed a 13-amino acid nickel-binding peptide capable of robustly producing molecular hydrogen from protons under a wide variety of conditions. The peptide forms a di-nickel cluster structurally analogous to a Ni-Fe cluster in [NiFe] hydrogenase and the Ni-Ni cluster in acetyl-CoA synthase, two ancient, extant proteins central to metabolism. These experimental results demonstrate that modern enzymes, despite their enormous complexity, likely evolved from simple peptide precursors on early Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Timm
- Environmental Biophysics and Molecular Ecology Program, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Douglas H. Pike
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Joshua A. Mancini
- Environmental Biophysics and Molecular Ecology Program, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Alexei M. Tyryshkin
- Environmental Biophysics and Molecular Ecology Program, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Saroj Poudel
- Environmental Biophysics and Molecular Ecology Program, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Jan A. Siess
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Paul M. Molinaro
- Department of Physics, The City College of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - James J. McCann
- Department of Physics, The City College of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kate M. Waldie
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Ronald L. Koder
- Department of Physics, The City College of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Paul G. Falkowski
- Environmental Biophysics and Molecular Ecology Program, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Vikas Nanda
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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7
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Prasad P, Hunt LA, Pall AE, Ranasinghe M, Williams AE, Stemmler TL, Demeler B, Hammer NI, Chakraborty S. Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by a De Novo Designed Metalloprotein that Undergoes Ni-Mediated Oligomerization Shift. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202202902. [PMID: 36440875 PMCID: PMC10308963 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202902] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
De novo metalloprotein design involves the construction of proteins guided by specific repeat patterns of polar and apolar residues, which, upon self-assembly, provide a suitable environment to bind metals and produce artificial metalloenzymes. While a wide range of functionalities have been realized in de novo designed metalloproteins, the functional repertoire of such constructs towards alternative energy-relevant catalysis is currently limited. Here we show the application of de novo approach to design a functional H2 evolving protein. The design involved the assembly of an amphiphilic peptide featuring cysteines at tandem a/d sites of each helix. Intriguingly, upon NiII addition, the oligomers shift from a major trimeric assembly to a mix of dimers and trimers. The metalloprotein produced H2 photocatalytically with a bell-shape pH dependence, having a maximum activity at pH 5.5. Transient absorption spectroscopy is used to determine the timescales of electron transfer as a function of pH. Selective outer sphere mutations are made to probe how the local environment tunes activity. A preferential enhancement of activity is observed via steric modulation above the NiII site, towards the N-termini, compared to below the NiII site towards the C-termini.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Prasad
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677 (USA)
| | - Leigh Anna Hunt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677 (USA)
| | - Ashley E. Pall
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48201-2417 (USA)
| | - Maduni Ranasinghe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401,University Dr W, Lethbridge, AB T1K 6T5 (CA)
| | - Ashley E. Williams
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677 (USA)
| | - Timothy L. Stemmler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48201-2417 (USA)
| | - Borries Demeler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401,University Dr W, Lethbridge, AB T1K 6T5 (CA)
| | - Nathan I. Hammer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677 (USA)
| | - Saumen Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677 (USA)
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8
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Curti M, Maffeis V, Teixeira Alves Duarte LG, Shareef S, Hallado LX, Curutchet C, Romero E. Engineering excitonically coupled dimers in an artificial protein for light harvesting via computational modeling. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4579. [PMID: 36715022 PMCID: PMC9951196 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In photosynthesis, pigment-protein complexes achieve outstanding photoinduced charge separation efficiencies through a set of strategies in which excited states delocalization over multiple pigments ("excitons") and charge-transfer states play key roles. These concepts, and their implementation in bioinspired artificial systems, are attracting increasing attention due to the vast potential that could be tapped by realizing efficient photochemical reactions. In particular, de novo designed proteins provide a diverse structural toolbox that can be used to manipulate the geometric and electronic properties of bound chromophore molecules. However, achieving excitonic and charge-transfer states requires closely spaced chromophores, a non-trivial aspect since a strong binding with the protein matrix needs to be maintained. Here, we show how a general-purpose artificial protein can be optimized via molecular dynamics simulations to improve its binding capacity of a chlorophyll derivative, achieving complexes in which chromophores form two closely spaced and strongly interacting dimers. Based on spectroscopy results and computational modeling, we demonstrate each dimer is excitonically coupled, and propose they display signatures of charge-transfer state mixing. This work could open new avenues for the rational design of chromophore-protein complexes with advanced functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Curti
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)TarragonaSpain
| | - Valentin Maffeis
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)TarragonaSpain
- Laboratoire de Chimie, UMR 5182, ENS Lyon, CNRSUniversité Lyon 1LyonFrance
| | | | - Saeed Shareef
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)TarragonaSpain
- Departament de Química Física i InorgànicaUniversitat Rovira i VirgiliTarragonaSpain
| | - Luisa Xiomara Hallado
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)TarragonaSpain
- Departament de Química Física i InorgànicaUniversitat Rovira i VirgiliTarragonaSpain
| | - Carles Curutchet
- Departament de Farmàcia i Tecnologia Farmacèutica i Fisicoquímica, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'AlimentacióUniversitat de Barcelona (UB)BarcelonaSpain
- Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Elisabet Romero
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)TarragonaSpain
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9
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Van Stappen C, Deng Y, Liu Y, Heidari H, Wang JX, Zhou Y, Ledray AP, Lu Y. Designing Artificial Metalloenzymes by Tuning of the Environment beyond the Primary Coordination Sphere. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11974-12045. [PMID: 35816578 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Metalloenzymes catalyze a variety of reactions using a limited number of natural amino acids and metallocofactors. Therefore, the environment beyond the primary coordination sphere must play an important role in both conferring and tuning their phenomenal catalytic properties, enabling active sites with otherwise similar primary coordination environments to perform a diverse array of biological functions. However, since the interactions beyond the primary coordination sphere are numerous and weak, it has been difficult to pinpoint structural features responsible for the tuning of activities of native enzymes. Designing artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) offers an excellent basis to elucidate the roles of these interactions and to further develop practical biological catalysts. In this review, we highlight how the secondary coordination spheres of ArMs influence metal binding and catalysis, with particular focus on the use of native protein scaffolds as templates for the design of ArMs by either rational design aided by computational modeling, directed evolution, or a combination of both approaches. In describing successes in designing heme, nonheme Fe, and Cu metalloenzymes, heteronuclear metalloenzymes containing heme, and those ArMs containing other metal centers (including those with non-native metal ions and metallocofactors), we have summarized insights gained on how careful controls of the interactions in the secondary coordination sphere, including hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions, allow the generation and tuning of these respective systems to approach, rival, and, in a few cases, exceed those of native enzymes. We have also provided an outlook on the remaining challenges in the field and future directions that will allow for a deeper understanding of the secondary coordination sphere a deeper understanding of the secondary coordintion sphere to be gained, and in turn to guide the design of a broader and more efficient variety of ArMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Van Stappen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, 105 East 24th Street, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Yunling Deng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, 105 East 24th Street, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Yiwei Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 505 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Hirbod Heidari
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, 105 East 24th Street, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Jing-Xiang Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, 105 East 24th Street, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, 105 East 24th Street, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Aaron P Ledray
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, 105 East 24th Street, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, 105 East 24th Street, Austin, Texas 78712, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 505 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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10
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Treviño RE, Shafaat HS. Protein-based models offer mechanistic insight into complex nickel metalloenzymes. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 67:102110. [PMID: 35101820 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.102110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
There are ten nickel enzymes found across biological systems, each with a distinct active site and reactivity that spans reductive, oxidative, and redox-neutral processes. We focus on the reductive enzymes, which catalyze reactions that are highly germane to the modern-day climate crisis: [NiFe] hydrogenase, carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, acetyl coenzyme A synthase, and methyl coenzyme M reductase. The current mechanistic understanding of each enzyme system is reviewed along with existing knowledge gaps, which are addressed through the development of protein-derived models, as described here. This opinion is intended to highlight the advantages of using robust protein scaffolds for modeling multiscale contributions to reactivity and inspire the development of novel artificial metalloenzymes for other small molecule transformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina E Treviño
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hannah S Shafaat
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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11
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Bellini M, Bösken J, Wörle M, Thöny D, Gamboa-Carballo JJ, Krumeich F, Bàrtoli F, Miller HA, Poggini L, Oberhauser W, Lavacchi A, Grützmacher H, Vizza F. Remarkable Stability of a Molecular Ruthenium Complex in PEM Water Electrolysis. Chem Sci 2022; 13:3748-3760. [PMID: 35432912 PMCID: PMC8966732 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc07234j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The dinuclear Ru diazadiene olefin complex, [Ru2(OTf)(μ-H)(Me2dad)(dbcot)2], is an active catalyst for hydrogen evolution in a Polymer Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolyser. When supported on high surface area carbon black and at 80 °C, [Ru2(OTf)(μ-H)(Me2dad)(dbcot)2]@C evolves hydrogen at the cathode of a PEM electrolysis cell (400 mA cm−2, 1.9 V). A remarkable turn over frequency (TOF) of 7800 molH2 molcatalyst−1 h−1 is maintained over 7 days of operation. A series of model reactions in homogeneous media and in electrochemical half cells, combined with DFT calculations, are used to rationalize the hydrogen evolution mechanism promoted by [Ru2(OTf)(μ-H)(Me2dad)(dbcot)2]. Molecular dinuclear ruthenium complexes deposited on conducting carbon serve as active sites for the evolution of hydrogen from neutral water in a Polymer Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolyser.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bellini
- Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds - National Research Council (ICCOM-CNR) Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
| | - Jonas Bösken
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Hönggerberg CH-8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Michael Wörle
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Hönggerberg CH-8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Debora Thöny
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Hönggerberg CH-8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Juan José Gamboa-Carballo
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Hönggerberg CH-8093 Zürich Switzerland
- Higher Institute of Technologies and Applied Sciences (InSTEC), University of Havana 10600 Havana Cuba
| | - Frank Krumeich
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Hönggerberg CH-8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bàrtoli
- Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds - National Research Council (ICCOM-CNR) Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena Via Aldo Moro 2 Siena 53100 Italy
| | - Hamish A Miller
- Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds - National Research Council (ICCOM-CNR) Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
| | - Lorenzo Poggini
- Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds - National Research Council (ICCOM-CNR) Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
| | - Werner Oberhauser
- Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds - National Research Council (ICCOM-CNR) Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
| | - Alessandro Lavacchi
- Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds - National Research Council (ICCOM-CNR) Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
| | - Hansjörg Grützmacher
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Hönggerberg CH-8093 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Francesco Vizza
- Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds - National Research Council (ICCOM-CNR) Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
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12
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Saikia B, Gogoi CR, Rahman A, Baruah A. Identification of an optimal foldability criterion to design misfolding resistant protein. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:144102. [PMID: 34654294 DOI: 10.1063/5.0057533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins achieve their functional, active, and operative three dimensional native structures by overcoming the possibility of being trapped in non-native energy minima present in the energy landscape. The enormous and intricate interactions that play an important role in protein folding also determine the stability of the proteins. The large number of stabilizing/destabilizing interactions makes proteins to be only marginally stable as compared to the other competing structures. Therefore, there are some possibilities that they become trapped in the non-native conformations and thus get misfolded. These misfolded proteins lead to several debilitating diseases. This work performs a comparative study of some existing foldability criteria in the computational design of misfold resistant protein sequences based on self-consistent mean field theory. The foldability criteria selected for this study are Ef, Δ, and Φ that are commonly used in protein design procedures to determine the most efficient foldability criterion for the design of misfolding resistant proteins. The results suggest that the foldability criterion Δ is significantly better in designing a funnel energy landscape stabilizing the target state. The results also suggest that inclusion of negative design features is important for designing misfolding resistant proteins, but more information about the non-native conformations in terms of Φ leads to worse results compared to even simple positive design. The sequences designed using Δ show better resistance to misfolding in the Monte Carlo simulations performed in the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bondeepa Saikia
- Department of Chemistry, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh 786004, India
| | - Chimi Rekha Gogoi
- Department of Chemistry, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh 786004, India
| | - Aziza Rahman
- Department of Chemistry, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh 786004, India
| | - Anupaul Baruah
- Department of Chemistry, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh 786004, India
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Malayam Parambath S, Williams AE, Hunt LA, Selvan D, Hammer NI, Chakraborty S. A De Novo-Designed Artificial Metallopeptide Hydrogenase: Insights into Photochemical Processes and the Role of Protonated Cys. CHEMSUSCHEM 2021; 14:2237-2246. [PMID: 33787007 PMCID: PMC8569915 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202100122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogenase enzymes produce H2 gas, which can be a potential source of alternative energy. Inspired by the [NiFe] hydrogenases, we report the construction of a de novo-designed artificial hydrogenase (ArH). The ArH is a dimeric coiled coil where two cysteine (Cys) residues are introduced at tandem a/d positions of a heptad to create a tetrathiolato Ni binding site. Spectroscopic studies show that Ni binding significantly stabilizes the peptide producing electronic transitions characteristic of Ni-thiolate proteins. The ArH produces H2 photocatalytically, demonstrating a bell-shaped pH-dependence on activity. Fluorescence lifetimes and transient absorption spectroscopic studies are undertaken to elucidate the nature of pH-dependence, and to monitor the reaction kinetics of the photochemical processes. pH titrations are employed to determine the role of protonated Cys on reactivity. Through combining these results, a fine balance is found between solution acidity and the electron transfer steps. This balance is critical to maximize the production of NiI -peptide and protonation of the NiII -H- intermediate (Ni-R) by a Cys (pKa ≈6.4) to produce H2 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreya Malayam Parambath
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Ashley E Williams
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Leigh Anna Hunt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Dhanashree Selvan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Nathan I Hammer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Saumen Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
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14
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Nguyen H, Kleingardner J. Identifying metal binding amino acids based on backbone geometries as a tool for metalloprotein engineering. Protein Sci 2021; 30:1247-1257. [PMID: 33829594 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Metal cofactors within proteins perform a versatile set of essential cellular functions. In order to take advantage of the diverse functionality of metalloproteins, researchers have been working to design or modify metal binding sites in proteins to rationally tune the function or activity of the metal cofactor. This study has performed an analysis on the backbone atom geometries of metal-binding amino acids among 10 different metal binding sites within the entire protein data bank. A set of 13 geometric parameters (features) was identified that is capable of predicting the presence of a metal cofactor in the protein structure with overall accuracies of up to 97% given only the relative positions of their backbone atoms. The decision tree machine-learning algorithm used can quickly analyze an entire protein structure for the presence of sets of primary metal coordination spheres upon mutagenesis, independent of their original amino acid identities. The methodology was designed for application in the field of metalloprotein engineering. A cluster analysis using the data set was also performed and demonstrated that the features chosen are useful for identifying clusters of structurally similar metal-binding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Nguyen
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jesse Kleingardner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA
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15
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DiPrimio DJ, Holland PL. Repurposing metalloproteins as mimics of natural metalloenzymes for small-molecule activation. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 219:111430. [PMID: 33873051 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) consist of an unnatural metal or cofactor embedded in a protein scaffold, and are an excellent platform for applying the concepts of protein engineering to catalysis. In this Focused Review, we describe the application of ArMs as simple, tunable artificial models of the active sites of complex natural metalloenzymes for small-molecule activation. In this sense, ArMs expand the strategies of synthetic model chemistry to protein-based supporting ligands with potential for participation from the second coordination sphere. We focus specifically on ArMs that are structural, spectroscopic, and functional models of enzymes for activation of small molecules like CO, CO2, O2, N2, and NO, as well as production/consumption of H2. These ArMs give insight into the identities and roles of metalloenzyme structural features within and near the cofactor. We give examples of ArM work relevant to hydrogenases, acetyl-coenzyme A synthase, superoxide dismutase, heme oxygenases, nitric oxide reductase, methyl-coenzyme M reductase, copper-O2 enzymes, and nitrogenases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J DiPrimio
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, United States
| | - Patrick L Holland
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, United States.
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16
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Ferrando J, Solomon LA. Recent Progress Using De Novo Design to Study Protein Structure, Design and Binding Interactions. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11030225. [PMID: 33802210 PMCID: PMC7999464 DOI: 10.3390/life11030225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo protein design is a powerful methodology used to study natural functions in an artificial-protein context. Since its inception, it has been used to reproduce a plethora of reactions and uncover biophysical principles that are often difficult to extract from direct studies of natural proteins. Natural proteins are capable of assuming a variety of different structures and subsequently binding ligands at impressively high levels of both specificity and affinity. Here, we will review recent examples of de novo design studies on binding reactions for small molecules, nucleic acids, and the formation of protein-protein interactions. We will then discuss some new structural advances in the field. Finally, we will discuss some advancements in computational modeling and design approaches and provide an overview of some modern algorithmic tools being used to design these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ferrando
- Department of Biology, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA;
| | - Lee A. Solomon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +703-993-6418
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17
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Prasad P, Selvan D, Chakraborty S. Biosynthetic Approaches towards the Design of Artificial Hydrogen-Evolution Catalysts. Chemistry 2020; 26:12494-12509. [PMID: 32449989 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202001338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogen is a clean and sustainable form of fuel that can minimize our heavy dependence on fossil fuels as the primary energy source. The need of finding greener ways to generate H2 gas has ignited interest in the research community to synthesize catalysts that can produce H2 by the reduction of H+ . The natural H2 producing enzymes hydrogenases have served as an inspiration to produce catalytic metal centers akin to these native enzymes. In this article we describe recent advances in the design of a unique class of artificial hydrogen evolving catalysts that combine the features of the active site metal(s) surrounded by a polypeptide component. The examples of these biosynthetic catalysts discussed here include i) assemblies of synthetic cofactors with native proteins; ii) peptide-appended synthetic complexes; iii) substitution of native cofactors with non-native cofactors; iv) metal substitution from rubredoxin; and v) a reengineered Cu storage protein into a Ni binding protein. Aspects of key design considerations in the construction of these artificial biocatalysts and insights gained into their chemical reactivity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Prasad
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Dhanashree Selvan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Saumen Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
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18
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Selvan D, Shi Y, Prasad P, Crane S, Zhang Y, Chakraborty S. The oxygen reactivity of an artificial hydrogenase designed in a reengineered copper storage protein. Dalton Trans 2020; 49:1928-1934. [DOI: 10.1039/c9dt04913d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The O2 reactivity of an artificial biomolecular hydrogenase, the nickel binding protein (NBP) is investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanashree Selvan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- University of Mississippi
- University
- USA
| | - Yelu Shi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- USA
| | - Pallavi Prasad
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- University of Mississippi
- University
- USA
| | - Skyler Crane
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- University of Mississippi
- University
- USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- USA
| | - Saumen Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- University of Mississippi
- University
- USA
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