Role of the C-terminal tyrosine of ferredoxin-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reductase in the electron transfer processes with its protein partners ferredoxin and flavodoxin

Retuning the potential of the electrochemical leaf

The electrochemical leaf enables the electrification and control of multi-enzyme cascades by exploiting two discoveries: (i) the ability to electrify the photosynthetic enzyme ferredoxin NADP+ reductase (FNR), driving it to catalyse the interconversion of NADP+/NADPH whilst it is entrapped in a highly porous, metal oxide electrode, and (ii) the evidence that additional enzymes can be co-entrapped in the electrode pores where, through one NADP(H)-dependent enzyme, extended cascades can be driven by electrical connection to FNR, via NADP(H) recycling. By changing a critical active-site tyrosine to serine, FNR's exclusivity for NADP(H) is swapped for unphosphorylated NAD(H). Here we present an electrochemical study of this variant FNR, and show that in addition to the intended inversion of cofactor preference, this change to the active site has altered FNR's tuning of the flavin reduction potential, making it less reductive. Exploiting the ability to monitor the variant's activity with NADP(H) as a function of potential has revealed a trapped intermediate state, relieved only by applying a negative overpotential, which allows catalysis to proceed. Inhibition by NADP+ (very tightly bound) with respect to NAD(H) turnover was also revealed and interestingly, this inhibition changes depending on the applied potential. These findings are of critical importance for future exploitation of the electrochemical leaf.

Structural and mechanistic insights into Streptococcus pneumoniae NADPH oxidase

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases (NOXs) have a major role in the physiology of eukaryotic cells by mediating reactive oxygen species production. Evolutionarily distant proteins with the NOX catalytic core have been found in bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae NOX (SpNOX), which is proposed as a model for studying NOXs because of its high activity and stability in detergent micelles. We present here cryo-electron microscopy structures of substrate-free and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-bound SpNOX and of NADPH-bound wild-type and F397A SpNOX under turnover conditions. These high-resolution structures provide insights into the electron-transfer pathway and reveal a hydride-transfer mechanism regulated by the displacement of F397. We conducted structure-guided mutagenesis and biochemical analyses that explain the absence of substrate specificity toward NADPH and suggest the mechanism behind constitutive activity. Our study presents the structural basis underlying SpNOX enzymatic activity and sheds light on its potential in vivo function.

Redox Properties of Bacillus subtilis Ferredoxin:NADP+ Oxidoreductase: Potentiometric Characteristics and Reactions with Pro-Oxidant Xenobiotics

Bacillus subtilis ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase (BsFNR) is a thioredoxin reductase-type FNR whose redox properties and reactivity with nonphysiological electron acceptors have been scarcely characterized. On the basis of redox reactions with 3-acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide phosphate, the two-electron reduction midpoint potential of the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor was estimated to be -0.240 V. Photoreduction using 5-deazaflavin mononucleotide (5-deazaFMN) as a photosensitizer revealed that the difference in the redox potentials between the first and second single-electron transfer steps was 0.024 V. We examined the mechanisms of the reduction of several different groups of non-physiological electron acceptors catalyzed by BsFNR. The reactivity of quinones and aromatic N-oxides toward BsFNR increased when increasing their single-electron reduction midpoint redox potentials. The reactivity of nitroaromatic compounds was lower due to their lower electron self-exchange rate, but it exhibited the same trend. A mixed single- and two-electron reduction reaction was characteristic of quinones, whereas reactions involving nitroaromatics proceeded exclusively via the one-electron reduction reaction. The oxidation of FADH• to FAD is the rate-limiting step during the oxidation of fully reduced FAD. The calculated electron transfer distances in the reaction with nitroaromatics were close to those of other FNRs including the plant-type enzymes, thus demonstrating their similar active site accessibility to low-molecular-weight oxidants despite the fundamental differences in their structures.

A cellular selection identifies elongated flavodoxins that support electron transfer to sulfite reductase

Flavodoxins (Flds) mediate the flux of electrons between oxidoreductases in diverse metabolic pathways. To investigate whether Flds can support electron transfer to a sulfite reductase (SIR) that evolved to couple with a ferredoxin, we evaluated the ability of Flds to transfer electrons from a ferredoxin-NADP reductase (FNR) to a ferredoxin-dependent SIR using growth complementation of an Escherichia coli strain with a sulfur metabolism defect. We show that Flds from cyanobacteria complement this growth defect when coexpressed with an FNR and an SIR that evolved to couple with a plant ferredoxin. When we evaluated the effect of peptide insertion on Fld-mediated electron transfer, we observed a sensitivity to insertions within regions predicted to be proximal to the cofactor and partner binding sites, while a high insertion tolerance was detected within loops distal from the cofactor and within regions of helices and sheets that are proximal to those loops. Bioinformatic analysis showed that natural Fld sequence variability predicts a large fraction of the motifs that tolerate insertion of the octapeptide SGRPGSLS. These results represent the first evidence that Flds can support electron transfer to assimilatory SIRs, and they suggest that the pattern of insertion tolerance is influenced by interactions with oxidoreductase partners.

Roles of Ferredoxin-NADP+ Oxidoreductase and Flavodoxin in NAD(P)H-Dependent Electron Transfer Systems

Distinct isoforms of FAD-containing ferredoxin-NADP⁺ oxidoreductase (FNR) and ferredoxin (Fd) are involved in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic electron transfer systems. The FNR (FAD)-Fd [2Fe-2S] redox pair complex switches between one- and two-electron transfer reactions in steps involving FAD semiquinone intermediates. In cyanobacteria and some algae, one-electron carrier Fd serves as a substitute for low-potential FMN-containing flavodoxin (Fld) during growth under low-iron conditions. This complex evolves into the covalent FNR (FAD)-Fld (FMN) pair, which participates in a wide variety of NAD(P)H-dependent metabolic pathways as an electron donor, including bacterial sulfite reductase, cytochrome P450 BM3, plant or mammalian cytochrome P450 reductase and nitric oxide synthase isoforms. These electron transfer systems share the conserved Ser-Glu/Asp pair in the active site of the FAD module. In addition to physiological electron acceptors, the NAD(P)H-dependent diflavin reductase family catalyzes a one-electron reduction of artificial electron acceptors such as quinone-containing anticancer drugs. Conversely, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), which shares a Fld-like active site, functions as a typical two-electron transfer antioxidant enzyme, and the NQO1 and UDP-glucuronosyltransfease/sulfotransferase pairs function as an antioxidant detoxification system. In this review, the roles of the plant FNR-Fd and FNR-Fld complex pairs were compared to those of the diflavin reductase (FAD-FMN) family. In the final section, evolutionary aspects of NAD(P)H-dependent multi-domain electron transfer systems are discussed.

Thioredoxin Reductase-Type Ferredoxin: NADP+ Oxidoreductase of Rhodopseudomonas palustris: Potentiometric Characteristics and Reactions with Nonphysiological Oxidants

Rhodopseudomonas palustris ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase (RpFNR) belongs to a novel group of thioredoxin reductase-type FNRs with partly characterized redox properties. Based on the reactions of RpFNR with the 3-acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide phosphate redox couple, we estimated the two-electron reduction midpoint potential of the FAD cofactor to be −0.285 V. 5-Deaza-FMN-sensitized photoreduction revealed −0.017 V separation of the redox potentials between the first and second electron transfer events. We examined the mechanism of oxidation of RpFNR by several different groups of nonphysiological electron acceptors. The kcat/Km values of quinones and aromatic N-oxides toward RpFNR increase with their single-electron reduction midpoint potential. The lower reactivity, mirroring their lower electron self-exchange rate, is also seen to have a similar trend for nitroaromatic compounds. A mixed single- and two-electron reduction was characteristic of quinones, with single-electron reduction accounting for 54% of the electron flux, whereas nitroaromatics were reduced exclusively via single-electron reduction. It is highly possible that the FADH· to FAD oxidation reaction is the rate-limiting step during the reoxidation of reduced FAD. The calculated electron transfer distances in the reaction with quinones and nitroaromatics were close to those of Anabaena and Plasmodium falciparum FNRs, thus demonstrating their similar “intrinsic” reactivity.

Kinetic and structural insight into a role of the re-face Tyr328 residue of the homodimer type ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase from Rhodopseudomonas palustris in the reaction with NADP+/NADPH

Among the thioredoxin reductase-type ferredoxin-NAD(P)⁺ oxidoreductase (FNR) family, FNR from photosynthetic purple non‑sulfur bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris (RpFNR) is distinctive because the predicted residue on the re-face of the isoalloxazine ring portion of the FAD prosthetic group is a tyrosine. Here, we report the crystal structure of wild type RpFNR and kinetic analyses of the reaction of wild type, and Y328F, Y328H and Y328S mutants with NADP⁺/NADPH using steady state and pre-steady state kinetic approaches. The obtained crystal structure of wild type RpFNR confirmed the presence of Tyr328 on the re-face of the isoalloxazine ring of the FAD prosthetic group through the unique hydrogen bonding of its hydroxyl group. In the steady state assays, the substitution results in the decrease of K_d for NADP⁺ and K_M for NADPH in the diaphorase assay; however, the k_cat values also decreased significantly. In the stopped-flow spectrophotometry, mixing oxidized RpFNRs with NADPH and reduced RpFNRs with NADP⁺ resulted in rapid charge transfer complex formation followed by hydride transfer. The observed rate constants for the hydride transfer in both directions were comparable (>400 s^-1). The substitution did not drastically affect the rate of hydride transfer, but substantially slowed down the subsequent release and re-association of NADP⁺/NADPH in both directions. The obtained results suggest that Tyr328 stabilizes the stacking of C-terminal residues on the isoalloxazine ring portion of the FAD prosthetic group, which impedes the access of NADP⁺/NADPH on the isoalloxazine ring portions, in turn, enhancing the release of the NADP⁺/NADPH and/or reaction with electron transfer proteins.

NADP(H) allosterically regulates the interaction between ferredoxin and ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase

Ferredoxin‐NADP⁺ reductase (FNR) in plants receives electrons from ferredoxin (Fd) at the end of the photosynthetic electron transfer chain and converts NADP⁺ to NADPH. The interaction between Fd and FNR in plants was previously shown to be attenuated by NADP(H). Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism of this phenomenon using maize FNR and Fd, as the three‐dimensional structure of this complex is available. NADPH, NADP⁺, and 2′5′‐ADP differentially affected the interaction, as revealed through kinetic and physical binding analyses. Site‐directed mutations of FNR which change the affinity for NADPH altered the affinity for Fd in the opposite direction to that for NADPH. We propose that the binding of NADP(H) causes a conformational change of FNR which is transferred to the Fd‐binding region through different domains of FNR, resulting in allosteric changes in the affinity for Fd.

The interaction between ferredoxin (Fd) and Fd‐NADP⁺ reductase (FNR) in plants is attenuated by NADP(H). Site‐directed mutations of FNR which change the affinity for NADPH altered the affinity for Fd in the opposite direction. We propose that the binding of NADP(H) leads to conformational changes of FNR, resulting in allosteric changes in the affinity for Fd.

Expression of a Chloroplast-Targeted Cyanobacterial Flavodoxin in Tomato Plants Increases Harvest Index by Altering Plant Size and Productivity

Tomato is the most important horticultural crop worldwide. Domestication has led to the selection of highly fruited genotypes, and the harvest index (HI), defined as the ratio of fruit yield over total plant biomass, is usually employed as a biomarker of agronomic value. Improvement of HI might then result from increased fruit production and/or lower vegetative growth. Reduction in vegetative biomass has been accomplished in various plant species by expression of flavodoxin, an electron shuttle flavoprotein that interacts with redox-based pathways of chloroplasts including photosynthesis. However, the effect of this genetic intervention on the development of reproductive organs has not been investigated. We show herein that expression of a plastid-targeted cyanobacterial flavodoxin in tomato resulted in significant reduction of plant size affecting stems, leaves, and fruit. Decreased size correlated with smaller cells and was accompanied by higher pigment contents and photosynthetic activities per leaf cross-section. Flavodoxin accumulated in green fruit but declined with ripening. Significant increases in HI were observed in flavodoxin-expressing lines due to the production of higher fruit number per plant in smaller plants. Therefore, overall yields can be enhanced by increasing plant density in the field. Metabolic profiling of ripe red fruit showed that levels of sugars, organic acids, and amino acids were similar or higher in transgenic plants, indicating that there was no trade-off between increased HI and fruit metabolite contents in flavodoxin-expressing plants. Taken together, our results show that flavodoxin has the potential to improve major agronomic traits when introduced in tomato.

Molecular mechanism of metabolic NAD(P)H-dependent electron-transfer systems: The role of redox cofactors

NAD(P)H-dependent electron-transfer (ET) systems require three functional components: a flavin-containing NAD(P)H-dehydrogenase, one-electron carrier and metal-containing redox center. In principle, these ET systems consist of one-, two- and three-components, and the electron flux from pyridine nucleotide cofactors, NADPH or NADH to final electron acceptor follows a linear pathway: NAD(P)H → flavin → one-electron carrier → metal containing redox center. In each step ET is primarily controlled by one- and two-electron midpoint reduction potentials of protein-bound redox cofactors in which the redox-linked conformational changes during the catalytic cycle are required for the domain-domain interactions. These interactions play an effective ET reactions in the multi-component ET systems. The microsomal and mitochondrial cytochrome P450 (cyt P450) ET systems, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isozymes, cytochrome b₅ (cyt b₅) ET systems and methionine synthase (MS) ET system include a combination of multi-domain, and their organizations display similarities as well as differences in their components. However, these ET systems are sharing of a similar mechanism. More recent structural information obtained by X-ray and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) analysis provides more detail for the mechanisms associated with multi-domain ET systems. Therefore, this review summarizes the roles of redox cofactors in the metabolic ET systems on the basis of one-electron redox potentials. In final Section, evolutionary aspects of NAD(P)H-dependent multi-domain ET systems will be discussed.

Reduced metabolites of nitroaromatics are distributed in the environment via the food chain

Increased industrial processes have introduced emerging toxic pollutants into the environment. Phytoremediation is considered to be a very useful, economical and ecofriendly way of controlling these pollutants, however, certain pollutants can potentially travel through the food chain and accumulate at hazardous levels. Four isomers of dinitrotoluenes (DNT) were investigated and observed their potential toxicity towards A. thaliana. Two different aphid species (generalist and specialist) were allowed to feed on plants treated with DNTs and toxicity to aphids determined. Reduced metabolites of DNT (in both plant and aphids) were recovered and quantified through GC-MS analyses. 2,6-DNT was observed to be the toxic of the DNTs tested. Complete metabolism of DNTs to their reduced products was never achieved for higher concentrations. Regioselectivity was observed in the case of 2,4-DNT, with 4A2NT as the dominant isomer. Feeding aphids showed a similar toxicity pattern for DNT isomers as host plants. Metabolites were recovered from the body of aphids, demonstrating the potential transport of metabolites through the food chain. Plants show varied toxicity responses towards the DNT isomers. Aphids fed on A. thaliana plants treated with DNTs were shown to have ANTs present, which reflects the propagation of DNT metabolites through the food chain.

C-terminal residues of ferredoxin-NAD(P)+ reductase from Chlorobaculum tepidum are responsible for reaction dynamics in the hydride transfer and redox equilibria with NADP+/NADPH

Ferredoxin-NAD(P)⁺ reductase ([EC 1.18.1.2], [EC 1.18.1.3]) from Chlorobaculum tepidum (CtFNR) is structurally homologous to the bacterial NADPH-thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), but possesses a unique C-terminal extension relative to TrxR that interacts with the isoalloxazine ring moiety of the flavin adenine dinucleotide prosthetic group. In this study, we introduce truncations to the C-terminal residues to examine their role in the reactions of CtFNR with NADP⁺ and NADPH by spectroscopic and kinetic analyses. The truncation of the residues from Tyr326 to Glu360 (the whole C-terminal extension region), from Phe337 to Glu360 (omitting Phe337 on the re-face of the isoalloxazine ring) and from Ser338 to Glu360 (leaving Phe337 intact) resulted in a blue-shift of the flavin absorption bands. The truncations caused a slight increase in the dissociation constant toward NADP⁺ and a slight decrease in the Michaelis constant toward NADPH in steady-state assays. Pre-steady-state studies of the redox reaction with NADPH demonstrated that deletions of Tyr326-Glu360 decreased the hydride transfer rate, and the amount of reduced enzyme increased at equilibrium relative to wild-type CtFNR. In contrast, the deletions of Phe337-Glu360 and Ser338-Glu360 resulted in only slight changes in the reaction kinetics and redox equilibrium. These results suggest that the C-terminal region of CtFNR is responsible for the formation and stability of charge-transfer complexes, leading to changes in redox properties and reactivity toward NADP⁺/NADPH.

Interaction and electron transfer between ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase and its partners: structural, functional, and physiological implications

Ferredoxin-NADP⁺ reductase (FNR) catalyzes the last step of linear electron transfer in photosynthetic light reactions. The FAD cofactor of FNR accepts two electrons from two independent reduced ferredoxin molecules (Fd) in two sequential steps, first producing neutral semiquinone and then the fully anionic reduced, or hydroquinone, form of the enzyme (FNR_hq). FNR_hq transfers then both electrons in a single hydride transfer step to NADP⁺. We are presenting the recent progress in studies focusing on Fd:FNR interaction and subsequent electron transfer processes as well as on interaction of FNR with NADP⁺/H followed by hydride transfer, both from the structural and functional point of views. We also present the current knowledge about the physiological role(s) of various FNR isoforms present in the chloroplasts of higher plants and the functional impact of subchloroplastic location of FNR. Moreover, open questions and current challenges about the structure, function, and physiology of FNR are discussed.

Engineering of versatile redox partner fusions that support monooxygenase activity of functionally diverse cytochrome P450s

Most bacterial cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s or CYPs) require two redox partner proteins for activity. To reduce complexity of the redox chain, the Bacillus subtilis flavodoxin YkuN (Y) was fused to the Escherichia coli flavodoxin reductase Fpr (R), and activity was tuned by placing flexible (GGGGS)_n or rigid ([E/L]PPPP)_n linkers (n = 1–5) in between. P-linker constructs typically outperformed their G-linker counterparts, with superior performance of YR-P5, which carries linker ([E/L]PPPP)₅. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that ([E/L]PPPP)_n linkers are intrinsically rigid, whereas (GGGGS)_n linkers are highly flexible and biochemical experiments suggest a higher degree of separation between the fusion partners in case of long rigid P-linkers. The catalytic properties of the individual redox partners were best preserved in the YR-P5 construct. In comparison to the separate redox partners, YR-P5 exhibited attenuated rates of NADPH oxidation and heme iron (III) reduction, while coupling efficiency was improved (28% vs. 49% coupling with B. subtilis CYP109B1, and 44% vs. 50% with Thermobifida fusca CYP154E1). In addition, YR-P5 supported monooxygenase activity of the CYP106A2 from Bacillus megaterium and bovine CYP21A2. The versatile YR-P5 may serve as a non-physiological electron transfer system for exploitation of the catalytic potential of other P450s.

High-resolution studies of hydride transfer in the ferredoxin:NADP+ reductase superfamily

Ferredoxin: NADP⁺ reductase (FNR) is an FAD-containing enzyme best known for catalysing the transfer of electrons from ferredoxin (Fd) to NADP⁺ to make NADPH during photosynthesis. It is also the prototype for a broad enzyme superfamily, including the NADPH oxidases (NOXs) that all catalyse similar FAD-enabled electron transfers between NAD(P)H and one-electron carriers. Here, we define further mechanistic details of the NAD(P)H ⇌ FAD hydride-transfer step of the reaction based on spectroscopic studies and high-resolution (~ 1.5 Å) crystallographic views of the nicotinamide-flavin interaction in crystals of corn root FNR Tyr316Ser and Tyr316Ala variants soaked with either nicotinamide, NADP⁺ , or NADPH. The spectra obtained from FNR crystal complexes match those seen in solution and the complexes reveal active site packing interactions and patterns of covalent distortion of the FAD that imply significant active site compression that would favour catalysis. Furthermore, anisotropic B-factors show that the mobility of the C4 atom of the nicotinamide in the FNR:NADP⁺ complex has a directionality matching that expected for boat-like excursions of the nicotinamide ring thought to enhance hydride transfer. Arguments are made for the relevance of this binding mode to catalysis, and specific consideration is given to how the results extrapolate to provide insight to structure-function relations for the membrane-bound NOX enzymes for which little structural information has been available.

DATABASES

Structural data are available in the PDB database under the accession numbers 3LO8 (wild-type), 5VW4 [Y316S:nicotinamide (P3₂ 21)], 5VW9 [Y316S:nicotinamide (P3₁ 21)], 5VW3 [Y316S:NADP⁺ (P3₂ 21)], 5VW8 [Y316S:NADP⁺ (P3₁ 21)], 5VW2 [Y316S:NADPH (P3₂ 21)], 5VW5 [Y316A:nicotinamide (P3₂ 21)], 5VW6 [Y316A:NADP⁺ (P3₂ 21)], 5VW7 [Y316A:NADPH (P3₂ 21)], 5VWA [Y316F (P3₂ 21)], and 5VWB [Y316F:NADP⁺ (P3₁ 21)]. Enzyme Commission number: ferredoxin:NADP⁺ reductase - E C1.18.1.2.

Ectopic expression of a cyanobacterial flavodoxin in creeping bentgrass impacts plant development and confers broad abiotic stress tolerance

Flavodoxin (Fld) plays a pivotal role in photosynthetic microorganisms as an alternative electron carrier flavoprotein under adverse environmental conditions. Cyanobacterial Fld has been demonstrated to be able to substitute ferredoxin of higher plants in most electron transfer processes under stressful conditions. We have explored the potential of Fld for use in improving plant stress response in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). Overexpression of Fld altered plant growth and development. Most significantly, transgenic plants exhibited drastically enhanced performance under oxidative, drought and heat stress as well as nitrogen (N) starvation, which was associated with higher water retention and cell membrane integrity than wild-type controls, modified expression of heat-shock protein genes, production of more reduced thioredoxin, elevated N accumulation and total chlorophyll content as well as up-regulated expression of nitrite reductase and N transporter genes. Further analysis revealed that the expression of other stress-related genes was also impacted in Fld-expressing transgenics. Our data establish a key role of Fld in modulating plant growth and development and plant response to multiple sources of adverse environmental conditions in crop species. This demonstrates the feasibility of manipulating Fld in crop species for genetic engineering of plant stress tolerance.

Replacement of Tyr50 stacked on the si-face of the isoalloxazine ring of the flavin adenine dinucleotide prosthetic group modulates Bacillus subtilis ferredoxin-NADP(+) oxidoreductase activity toward NADPH

Ferredoxin-NAD(P)(+) oxidoreductases ([EC 1.18.1.2], [EC 1.18.1.3], FNRs) from green sulfur bacteria, purple non-sulfur bacteria and most of Firmicutes, such as Bacillus subtilis (BsFNR) are homo-dimeric flavoproteins homologous to bacterial NADPH-thioredoxin reductase. These FNRs contain two unique aromatic residues stacked on the si- and re-face of the isoalloxazine ring moiety of the FAD prosthetic group whose configurations are often found among other types of flavoproteins including plant-type FNR and flavodoxin, but not in bacterial NADPH-thioredoxin reductase. To investigate the role of the si-face Tyr50 residue in BsFNR, we replaced Tyr50 with Gly, Ser, and Trp and examined its spectroscopic properties and enzymatic activities in the presence of NADPH and ferredoxin (Fd) from B. subtilis (BsFd). The replacement of Tyr50 to Gly (Y50G), Ser (Y50S), and Trp (Y50W) in BsFNR resulted in a blue shift of the FAD transition bands. The Y50G and Y50S mutations enhanced the FAD fluorescence emission, whereas those of the wild type and Y50W mutant were quenched. All three mutants decreased thermal stabilities compared to wild type. Using a diaphorase assay, the k cat values for the Y50G and Y50S mutants in the presence of NADPH and ferricyanide were decreased to less than 5 % of the wild type activity. The Y50W mutant retained approximately 20 % reactivity in the diaphorase assay and BsFd-dependent cytochrome c reduction assay relative to wild type. The present results suggest that Tyr50 modulates the electronic properties and positioning of the prosthetic group.

Design and improvement of artificial redox modules by molecular fusion of flavodoxin and flavodoxin reductase from Escherichia coli

A variety of fusion proteins between the versatile redox partners flavodoxin (FldA) and flavodoxin reductase (Fpr) from Escherichia coli was constructed with the aim to improve the electron transfer properties. The order in which FldA and Fpr were fused and the linker region between them was varied in a systematic manner. A simple molecular tool, designated "DuaLinX", was developed that facilitated the parallel introduction of flexible glycine-rich and rigid proline-rich linkers between the fusion partners in a single cloning event. The fusion constructs were tested for their ability to transfer electrons to cytochrome c and cytochrome P450 109B1 from Bacillus subtilis. With CYP109B1, the performance of the constructs showed, independent of the domain order, a strong dependency on linker length, whereas with cytochrome c this phenomenon was less pronounced. Constructs carrying linkers of ≥15 residues effectively supported the CYP109B1-catalysed hydroxylation of myristic acid. Constructs carrying proline-rich linkers generally outperformed their glycine-rich counterparts. The best construct, FldA-Fpr carrying linker ([E/L]PPPP)4, supported CYP109B1 activity equally well as equivalent amounts of the non-fused redox partners, while cytochrome c reductase activity was ~2.7-fold improved. Thus, to functionally connect redox partners, rigid proline-rich linkers may be attractive alternatives to the commonly used flexible glycine-rich linkers.

The long goodbye: the rise and fall of flavodoxin during plant evolution

Ferredoxins are electron shuttles harbouring iron-sulfur clusters that connect multiple oxido-reductive pathways in organisms displaying different lifestyles. Some prokaryotes and algae express an isofunctional electron carrier, flavodoxin, which contains flavin mononucleotide as cofactor. Both proteins evolved in the anaerobic environment preceding the appearance of oxygenic photosynthesis. The advent of an oxygen-rich atmosphere proved detrimental to ferredoxin owing to iron limitation and oxidative damage to the iron-sulfur cluster, and many microorganisms induced flavodoxin expression to replace ferredoxin under stress conditions. Paradoxically, ferredoxin was maintained throughout the tree of life, whereas flavodoxin is absent from plants and animals. Of note is that flavodoxin expression in transgenic plants results in increased tolerance to multiple stresses and iron deficit, through mechanisms similar to those operating in microorganisms. Then, the question remains open as to why a trait that still confers plants such obvious adaptive benefits was not retained. We compare herein the properties of ferredoxin and flavodoxin, and their contrasting modes of expression in response to different environmental stimuli. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the flavodoxin gene was already absent in the algal lineages immediately preceding land plants. Geographical distribution of phototrophs shows a bias against flavodoxin-containing organisms in iron-rich coastal/freshwater habitats. Based on these observations, we propose that plants evolved from freshwater macroalgae that already lacked flavodoxin because they thrived in an iron-rich habitat with no need to back up ferredoxin functions and therefore no selective pressure to keep the flavodoxin gene. Conversely, ferredoxin retention in the plant lineage is probably related to its higher efficiency as an electron carrier, compared with flavodoxin. Several lines of evidence supporting these contentions are presented and discussed.

Role of the C-terminal extension stacked on the re-face of the isoalloxazine ring moiety of the flavin adenine dinucleotide prosthetic group in ferredoxin-NADP(+) oxidoreductase from Bacillus subtilis

Ferredoxin-NADP(+) oxidoreductase [EC 1.18.1.2] from Bacillus subtilis (BsFNR) is homologous to the bacterial NADPH-thioredoxin reductase, but possesses a unique C-terminal extension that covers the re-face of the isoalloxazine ring moiety of the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) prosthetic group. In this report, we utilize BsFNR mutants depleted of their C-terminal residues to examine the importance of the C-terminal extension in reactions with NADPH and ferredoxin (Fd) from B. subtilis by spectroscopic and steady-state reaction analyses. The depletions of residues Y313 to K332 (whole C-terminal extension region) and S325 to K332 (His324 intact) resulted in significant increases in the catalytic efficiency with NADPH in diaphorase assay with ferricyanide, whereas Km values for ferricyanide were increased. In the cytochrome c reduction assay in the presence of B. subtilis ferredoxin, the S325-K332 depleted mutant displayed a significant decrease in the turnover rate with an Fd concentration range of 1-10 μM. The Y313-K332 depleted mutant demonstrated an increase in the rate of the direct reduction of horse heart cytochrome c in the absence of Fd. These data indicated that depletion of the C-terminal extension plays an important role in the reaction of BsFNR with ferredoxin.

A STD-NMR study of the interaction of the Anabaena ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase with the coenzyme

Ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (FNR) catalyzes the electron transfer from ferredoxin to NADP+ via its flavin FAD cofactor. To get further insights in the architecture of the transient complexes produced during the hydride transfer event between the enzyme and the NADP+ coenzyme we have applied NMR spectroscopy using Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) techniques to analyze the interaction between FNRox and the oxidized state of its NADP+ coenzyme. We have found that STD NMR, together with the use of selected mutations on FNR and of the non-FNR reacting coenzyme analogue NAD+, are appropriate tools to provide further information about the the interaction epitope.

Methyl rotors in flavoproteins

ENDOR evidence shows that methyl groups in flavin behave as quantum locked rotors.

External loops at the ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase protein-partner binding cavity contribute to substrates allocation

Ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase (FNR) is the structural prototype of a family of FAD-containing reductases that catalyze electron transfer between low potential proteins and NAD(P)(+)/H, and that display a two-domain arrangement with an open cavity at their interface. The inner part of this cavity accommodates the reacting atoms during catalysis. Loops at its edge are highly conserved among plastidic FNRs, suggesting that they might contribute to both flavin stabilization and competent disposition of substrates. Here we pay attention to two of these loops in Anabaena FNR. The first is a sheet-loop-sheet motif, loop102-114, that allocates the FAD adenosine. It was thought to determine the extended FAD conformation, and, indirectly, to modulate isoalloxazine electronic properties, partners binding, catalytic efficiency and even coenzyme specificity. The second, loop261-269, contains key residues for the allocation of partners and coenzyme, including two glutamates, Glu267 and Glu268, proposed as candidates to facilitate the key displacement of the C-terminal tyrosine (Tyr303) from its stacking against the isoalloxazine ring during the catalytic cycle. Our data indicate that the main function of loop102-114 is to provide the inter-domain cavity with flexibility to accommodate protein partners and to guide the coenzyme to the catalytic site, while the extended conformation of FAD must be induced by other protein determinants. Glu267 and Glu268 appear to assist the conformational changes that occur in the loop261-269 during productive coenzyme binding, but their contribution to Tyr303 displacement is minor than expected. Additionally, loop261-269 appears a determinant to ensure reversibility in photosynthetic FNRs.

The C-terminal extension of bacterial flavodoxin-reductases: involvement in the hydride transfer mechanism from the coenzyme

To study the role of the mobile C-terminal extension present in bacterial class of plant type NADP(H):ferredoxin reductases during catalysis, we generated a series of mutants of the Rhodobacter capsulatus enzyme (RcFPR). Deletion of the six C-terminal amino acids beyond alanine 266 was combined with the replacement A266Y, emulating the structure present in plastidic versions of this flavoenzyme. Analysis of absorbance and fluorescence spectra suggests that deletion does not modify the general geometry of FAD itself, but increases exposure of the flavin to the solvent, prevents a productive geometry of FAD:NADP(H) complex and decreases the protein thermal stability. Although the replacement A266Y partially coats the isoalloxazine from solvent and slightly restores protein stability, this single change does not allow formation of active charge-transfer complexes commonly present in the wild-type FPR, probably due to restraints of C-terminus pliability. A proton exchange process is deduced from ITC measurements during coenzyme binding. All studied RcFPR variants display higher affinity for NADP(+) than wild-type, evidencing the contribution of the C-terminus in tempering a non-productive strong (rigid) interaction with the coenzyme. The decreased catalytic rate parameters confirm that the hydride transfer from NADPH to the flavin ring is considerably hampered in the mutants. Although the involvement of the C-terminal extension from bacterial FPRs in stabilizing overall folding and bent-FAD geometry has been stated, the most relevant contributions to catalysis are modulation of coenzyme entrance and affinity, promotion of the optimal geometry of an active complex and supply of a proton acceptor acting during coenzyme binding.

Aromatic substitution of the FAD-shielding tryptophan reveals its differential role in regulating electron flux in methionine synthase reductase and cytochrome P450 reductase

Methionine synthase reductase (MSR) and cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) transfer reducing equivalents from NADPH via an FAD and FMN cofactor to a redox partner protein. In both enzymes, hydride transfer from NADPH to FAD requires displacement of a conserved tryptophan that lies coplanar to the FAD isoalloxazine ring. Swapping the tryptophan for a smaller aromatic side chain revealed a distinct role for the residue in regulating MSR and CPR catalysis. MSR W697F and W697Y showed enhanced catalysis, noted by increases in kcat and k(cat)/K(m)(NADPH) for steady-state cytochrome c(3+) reduction and a 10-fold increase in the rate constant (k(obs1)) associated with hydride transfer. Elevated primary kinetic isotope effects on k(obs1) for W697F and W697Y suggest that preceding isotopically insensitive steps like displacement of W697 are less rate determining. MSR W697Y, but not MSR W697F, showed detectable formation of the disemiquinone intermediate, indicating that the polarity of the aromatic side chain influences the rate of interflavin electron transfer. By contrast, the CPR variants (W676F and W676Y) displayed modest decreases in cytochrome c(3+) reduction, a 30- and 3.5-fold decrease in the rate of FAD reduction, accumulation of a FADH2 -NADP(+) charge-transfer complex and dramatically suppressed rates of interflavin electron transfer. We conclude for MSR that hydride transfer is 'gated' by the free energy required to disrupt dispersion forces between the FAD isoalloxazine ring and W697. By contrast, the bulky indole ring of W676 accelerates catalysis in CPR by lowering the energy barrier for displacement of the oxidized nicotinamide ring coplanar with the FAD.

Flavodoxin displays dose-dependent effects on photosynthesis and stress tolerance when expressed in transgenic tobacco plants

Ferredoxins are iron-sulfur proteins involved in various one-electron transfer pathways. Ferredoxin levels decrease under adverse environmental conditions in photosynthetic organisms. In cyanobacteria, this decline is compensated by induction of flavodoxin, an isofunctional flavoprotein. Flavodoxin is not present in higher plants, but transgenic Nicotiana tabacum lines accumulating Anabaena flavodoxin in plastids display increased tolerance to different sources of environmental stress. As the degree of tolerance correlated with flavodoxin dosage in plastids of nuclear-transformed transgenic tobacco, we prepared plants expressing even higher levels of flavodoxin by direct plastid transformation. A suite of nuclear- and chloroplast-transformed lines expressing a wide range of flavodoxin levels, from 0.3 to 10.8 μmol m(-2), did not exhibit any detectable growth phenotype relative to the wild type. In the absence of stress, the contents of both chlorophyll a and carotenoids, as well as the photosynthetic performance (photosystem II maximum efficiency, photosystem II operating efficiency, electron transport rates and carbon assimilation rates), displayed a moderate increase with flavodoxin concentrations up to 1.3-2.6 μmol flavodoxin m(-2), and then declined to wild-type levels. Stress tolerance, as estimated by the damage inflicted on exposure to the pro-oxidant methyl viologen, also exhibited a bell-shaped response, with a significant, dose-dependent increase in tolerance followed by a drop in the high-expressing lines. The results indicate that optimal photosynthetic performance and stress tolerance were observed at flavodoxin levels comparable to those of endogenous ferredoxin. Further increases in flavodoxin content become detrimental to plant fitness.

The importance of flavodoxin for environmental stress tolerance in photosynthetic microorganisms and transgenic plants. Mechanism, evolution and biotechnological potential

Ferredoxins are electron shuttles harboring iron-sulfur clusters which participate in oxido-reductive pathways in organisms displaying very different lifestyles. Ferredoxin levels decline in plants and cyanobacteria exposed to environmental stress and iron starvation. Flavodoxin is an isofunctional flavoprotein present in cyanobacteria and algae (not plants) which is induced and replaces ferredoxin under stress. Expression of a chloroplast-targeted flavodoxin in plants confers tolerance to multiple stresses and iron deficit. We discuss herein the bases for functional equivalence between the two proteins, the reasons for ferredoxin conservation despite its susceptibility to aerobic stress and for the loss of flavodoxin as an adaptive trait in higher eukaryotes. We also propose a mechanism to explain the tolerance conferred by flavodoxin when expressed in plants.

Structural backgrounds for the formation of a catalytically competent complex with NADP(H) during hydride transfer in ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductases

The role of the highly conserved C266 and L268 of pea ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase (FNR) in formation of the catalytically competent complex of the enzyme with NADP(H) was investigated. Previous studies suggest that the volume of these side-chains, situated facing the side of the C-terminal Y308 catalytic residue not stacking the flavin isoalloxazine ring, may be directly involved in the fine-tuning of the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. Wild-type pea FNR as well as single and double mutants of C266 and L268 residues were analysed by fast transient-kinetic techniques and their midpoint reduction potentials were determined. For the C266A, C266M and C266A/L268A mutants a significant reduction in the overall hydride transfer (HT) rates was observed along with the absence of charge-transfer complex formation. The HT rate constants for NADPH oxidation were lower than those for NADP(+) reduction, reaching a 30-fold decrease in the double mutant. In agreement, these variants exhibited more negative midpoint potentials with respect to the wild-type enzyme. The three-dimensional structures of C266M and L268V variants were solved. The C266M mutant shows a displacement of E306 away from the relevant residue S90 to accommodate the bulky methionine introduced. The overall findings indicate that in FNR the volume of the residue at position 266 is essential to attain the catalytic architecture between the nicotinamide and isoalloxazine rings at the active site and, therefore, for an efficient HT process. In addition, flexibility of the 268-270 loop appears to be critical for FNR to achieve catalytically competent complexes with NADP(H).

The transient catalytically competent coenzyme allocation into the active site of Anabaena ferredoxin NADP+ -reductase

Ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase (FNR) catalyses the electron transfer from ferredoxin to NADP(+) via its flavin FAD cofactor. A molecular dynamics theoretical approach is applied here to visualise the transient catalytically competent interaction of Anabaena FNR with its coenzyme, NADP(+). The particular role of some of the residues identified as key in binding and accommodating the 2'P-AMP moiety of the coenzyme is confirmed in molecular terms. Simulations also indicate that the architecture of the active site precisely contributes to the orientation of the N5 of the FAD isoalloxazine ring and the C4 of the coenzyme nicotinamide ring in the conformation of the catalytically competent hydride transfer complex and, therefore, contributes to the efficiency of the process. In particular, the side chain of the C-terminal Y303 in Anabaena FNR appears key to providing the optimum geometry by reducing the stacking probability between the isoalloxazine and nicotinamide rings, thus providing the required co-linearity and distance among the N5 of the flavin cofactor, the C4 of the coenzyme nicotinamide and the hydride that has to be transferred between them. All these factors are highly related to the reaction efficiency, mechanism and reversibility of the process.

Swapping FAD binding motifs between plastidic and bacterial ferredoxin-NADP(H) reductases

Plant-type ferredoxin-NADP(H) reductases (FNRs) are grouped in two classes, plastidic with an extended FAD conformation and high catalytic rates and bacterial with a folded flavin nucleotide and low turnover rates. The 112-123 β-hairpin from a plastidic FNR and the carboxy-terminal tryptophan of a bacterial FNR, suggested to be responsible for the FAD differential conformation, were mutually exchanged. The plastidic FNR lacking the β-hairpin was unable to fold properly. An extra tryptophan at the carboxy terminus, emulating the bacterial FNR, resulted in an enzyme with decreased affinity for FAD and reduced diaphorase and ferredoxin-dependent cytochrome c reductase activities. The insertion of the β-hairpin into the corresponding position of the bacterial FNR increased FAD affinity but did not affect its catalytic properties. The same insertion with simultaneous deletion of the carboxy-terminal tryptophan produced a bacterial chimera emulating the plastidic architecture with an increased k(cat) and an increased catalytic efficiency for the diaphorase activity and a decrease in the enzyme's ability to react with its substrates ferredoxin and flavodoxin. Crystallographic structures of the chimeras showed no significant changes in their overall structure, although alterations in the FAD conformations were observed. Plastidic and bacterial FNRs thus reveal differential effects of key structural elements. While the 112-123 β-hairpin modulates the catalytic efficiency of plastidic FNR, it seems not to affect the bacterial FNR behavior, which instead can be improved by the loss of the C-terminal tryptophan. This report highlights the role of the FAD moiety conformation and the structural determinants involved in stabilizing it, ultimately modulating the functional output of FNRs.

Mechanism of the hydride transfer between Anabaena Tyr303Ser FNR(rd)/FNR(ox) and NADP+/H. A combined pre-steady-state kinetic/ensemble-averaged transition-state theory with multidimensional tunneling study

The flavoenzyme ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase (FNR) catalyzes the production of NADPH during photosynthesis. The hydride-transfer reactions between the Anabaena mutant Tyr303Ser FNR(rd)/FNR(ox) and NADP(+)/H have been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Stopped-flow pre-steady-state kinetic measurements have shown that, in contrast to that observed for WT FNR, the physiological hydride transfer from Tyr303Ser FNR(rd) to NADP(+) does not occur. Conversely, the reverse reaction does take place with a rate constant just slightly slower than for WT FNR. This latter process shows temperature-dependent rates, but essentially temperature independent kinetic isotope effects, suggesting the reaction takes place following the vibration-driven tunneling model. In turn, ensemble-averaged variational transition-state theory with multidimensional tunneling calculations provide reaction rate constant values and kinetic isotope effects that agree with the experimental results, the experimental and the theoretical values for the reverse process being noticeably similar. The reaction mechanism behind these hydride transfers has been analyzed. The formation of a close contact ionic pair FADH(-):NADP(+) surrounded by the polar environment of the enzyme in the reactant complex of the mutant might be the cause of the huge difference between the direct and the reverse reaction.

Role of specific residues in coenzyme binding, charge-transfer complex formation, and catalysis in Anabaena ferredoxin NADP+-reductase

Two transient charge-transfer complexes (CTC) form prior and upon hydride transfer (HT) in the reversible reaction of the FAD-dependent ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (FNR) with NADP+/H, FNR(ox)-NADPH (CTC-1), and FNR(rd)-NADP+ (CTC-2). Spectral properties of both CTCs, as well as the corresponding interconversion HT rates, are here reported for several Anabaena FNR site-directed mutants. The need for an adequate initial interaction between the 2'P-AMP portion of NADP+/H and FNR that provides subsequent conformational changes leading to CTC formation is further confirmed. Stronger interactions between the isoalloxazine and nicotinamide rings might relate with faster HT processes, but exceptions are found upon distortion of the active centre. Thus, within the analyzed FNR variants, there is no strict correlation between the stability of the transient CTCs formation and the rate of the subsequent HT. Kinetic isotope effects suggest that, while in the WT, vibrational enhanced modulation of the active site contributes to the tunnel probability of HT; complexes of some of the active site mutants with the coenzyme hardly allow the relative movement of isoalloxazine and nicotinamide rings along the HT reaction. The architecture of the WT FNR active site precisely contributes to reduce the stacking probability between the isoalloxazine and nicotinamide rings in the catalytically competent complex, modulating the angle and distance between the N5 of the FAD isoalloxazine and the C4 of the coenzyme nicotinamide to values that ensure efficient HT processes.

Engineering the future. Development of transgenic plants with enhanced tolerance to adverse environments

Environmental stresses - especially drought and salinity - and iron limitation are the primary causes of crop yield losses. Therefore, improvement of plant stress tolerance has paramount relevance for agriculture, and vigorous efforts are underway to design stress-tolerant crops. Three aspects of this ongoing research are reviewed here. First, attempts have been made to strengthen endogenous plant defences, which are characterised by intertwined, hierarchical gene networks involved in stress perception, signalling, regulation and expression of effector proteins, enzymes and metabolites. The multigenic nature of this response requires detailed knowledge of the many actors and interactions involved in order to identify proper intervention points, followed by significant engineering of the prospective genes to prevent undesired side-effects. A second important aspect refers to the effect of concurrent stresses as plants normally meet in the field (e.g., heat and drought). Recent findings indicate that plant responses to combined environmental hardships are somehow unique and cannot be predicted from the addition of the individual stresses, underscoring the importance of programming research within this conceptual framework. Finally, the photosynthetic microorganisms from which plants evolved (i.e., algae and cyanobacteria) deploy a totally different strategy to acquire stress tolerance, based on the substitution of stress-vulnerable targets by resistant isofunctional proteins that could take over the lost functions under adverse conditions. Reintroduction of these ancient traits in model and crop plants has resulted in increased tolerance to environmental hardships and iron starvation, opening a new field of opportunities to increase the endurance of crops growing under suboptimal conditions.

Binding thermodynamics of ferredoxin:NADP+ reductase: two different protein substrates and one energetics

The thermodynamics of the formation of binary and ternary complexes between Anabaena PCC 7119 FNR and its substrates, NADP+ and Fd, or Fld, has been studied by ITC. Despite structural dissimilarities, the main difference between Fd and Fld binding to FNR relates to hydrophobicity, reflected in different binding heat capacity and number of water molecules released from the interface. At pH 8, the formation of the binary complexes is both enthalpically and entropically driven, accompanied by the protonation of at least one ionizable group. His299 FNR has been identified as the main responsible for the proton exchange observed. However, at pH 10, where no protonation occurs and intrinsic binding parameters can be obtained, the formation of the binary complexes is entropically driven, with negligible enthalpic contribution. Absence of the FMN cofactor in Fld does not alter significantly the strength of the interaction, but considerably modifies the enthalpic and entropic contributions, suggesting a different binding mode. Ternary complexes show negative cooperativity (6-fold and 11-fold reduction in binding affinity, respectively), and an increase in the enthalpic contribution (more favorable) and a decrease in the entropic contribution (less favorable), with regard to the binary complexes energetics.

Structural and mechanistic aspects of flavoproteins: electron transfer through the nitric oxide synthase flavoprotein domain

Nitric oxide synthases belong to a family of dual-flavin enzymes that transfer electrons from NAD(P)H to a variety of heme protein acceptors. During catalysis, their FMN subdomain plays a central role by acting as both an electron acceptor (receiving electrons from FAD) and an electron donor, and is thought to undergo large conformational movements and engage in two distinct protein-protein interactions in the process. This minireview summarizes what we know about the many factors regulating nitric oxide synthase flavoprotein domain function, primarily from the viewpoint of how they impact electron input/output and conformational behaviors of the FMN subdomain.

Induced fit and equilibrium dynamics for high catalytic efficiency in ferredoxin-NADP(H) reductases

Ferredoxin-NADP(H) reductase (FNR) is a FAD-containing protein that catalyzes the reversible transfer of electrons between NADP(H) and ferredoxin or flavodoxin. This enzyme participates in the redox-based metabolism of plastids, mitochondria, and bacteria. Plastidic plant-type FNRs are very efficient reductases in supporting photosynthesis. They have a strong preference for NADP(H) over NAD(H), consistent with the main physiological role of NADP(+) photoreduction. In contrast, FNRs from organisms with heterotrophic metabolisms or anoxygenic photosynthesis display turnover rates that are up to 100-fold lower than those of their plastidic and cyanobacterial counterparts. With the aim of elucidating the mechanisms by which plastidic enzymes achieve such high catalytic efficiencies and NADP(H) specificity, we investigated the manner in which the NADP(H) nicotinamide enters and properly binds to the catalytic site. Analyzing the interaction of different nucleotides, substrate analogues, and aromatic compounds with the wild type and the mutant Y308S-FNR from pea, we found that the interaction of the 2'-P-AMP moiety from NADP(+) induces a change that favors the interaction of the nicotinamide, thereby facilitating the catalytic process. Furthermore, the main role of the terminal tyrosine, Y308, is to destabilize the interaction of the nicotinamide with the enzyme, inducing product release and favoring discrimination of the nucleotide substrate. We determined that this function can be replaced by the addition of aromatic compounds that freely diffuse in solution and establish a dynamic equilibrium, reversing the effect of the mutation in the Y308S-FNR mutant.

The ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase/ferredoxin electron transfer system of Plasmodium falciparum

In the apicoplast of apicomplexan parasites, plastidic-type ferredoxin and ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase (FNR) form a short electron transport chain that provides reducing power for the synthesis of isoprenoid precursors. These proteins are attractive targets for the development of novel drugs against diseases such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, and coccidiosis. We have obtained ferredoxin and FNR of both Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum in recombinant form, and recently we solved the crystal structure of the P. falciparum reductase. Here we report on the functional properties of the latter enzyme, which differ markedly from those of homologous FNRs. In the physiological reaction, P. falciparum FNR displays a k(cat) five-fold lower than those usually determined for plastidic-type FNRs. By rapid kinetics, we found that hydride transfer between NADPH and protein-bound FAD is slower in the P. falciparum enzyme. The redox properties of the enzyme were determined, and showed that the FAD semiquinone species is highly destabilized. We propose that these two features, i.e. slow hydride transfer and unstable FAD semiquinone, are responsible for the poor catalytic efficiency of the P. falciparum enzyme. Another unprecedented feature of the malarial parasite FNR is its ability to yield, under oxidizing conditions, an inactive dimeric form stabilized by an intermolecular disulfide bond. Here we show that the monomerdimer interconversion can be controlled by oxidizing and reducing agents that are possibly present within the apicoplast, such as H(2)O(2), glutathione, and lipoate. This finding suggests that modulation of the quaternary structure of P. falciparum FNR might represent a regulatory mechanism, although this needs to be verified in vivo.

Protein motifs involved in coenzyme interaction and enzymatic efficiency in anabaena ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase

Ferredoxin-NADP+ reductases (FNRs) must determine the coenzyme specificity and allow the transient encounter between N5 of its flavin cofactor and C4 of the coenzyme nicotinamide for efficient hydride transfer. Combined site-directed replacements in different putative determinants of the FNR coenzyme specificity were simultaneously produced. The resulting variants were structurally and functionally analyzed for their binding and hydride transfer abilities to the FNR physiological coenzyme NADP+/H, as well as to NAD+/H. The previously studied Y303S mutation is the only one that significantly enhances specificity for NAD+. Combination of mutations from the pyrophosphate or 2'-phosphate regions, even including Y303S, does not improve activity with NAD+, despite structures of these FNRs show how particular coenzyme-binding regions resembled motifs found in NAD+/H-dependent enzymes of the FNR family. Therefore, the "rational approach" did not succeed well, and coenzyme specificity redesign in the FNR family will be more complex than that anticipated in other NADP+/NAD+ families.

Coenzyme binding and hydride transfer in Rhodobacter capsulatus ferredoxin/flavodoxin NADP(H) oxidoreductase

Ferredoxin-NADP(H) reductases catalyse the reversible hydride/electron exchange between NADP(H) and ferredoxin/flavodoxin, comprising a structurally defined family of flavoenzymes with two distinct subclasses. Those present in Gram-negative bacteria (FPRs) display turnover numbers of 1-5 s(-1) while the homologues of cyanobacteria and plants (FNRs) developed a 100-fold activity increase. We investigated nucleotide interactions and hydride transfer in Rhodobacter capsulatus FPR comparing them to those reported for FNRs. NADP(H) binding proceeds as in FNRs with stacking of the nicotinamide on the flavin, which resulted in formation of charge-transfer complexes prior to hydride exchange. The affinity of FPR for both NADP(H) and 2'-P-AMP was 100-fold lower than that of FNRs. The crystal structure of FPR in complex with 2'-P-AMP and NADP(+) allowed modelling of the adenosine ring system bound to the protein, whereas the nicotinamide portion was either not visible or protruding toward solvent in different obtained crystals. Stabilising contacts with the active site residues are different in the two reductase classes. We conclude that evolution to higher activities in FNRs was partially favoured by modification of NADP(H) binding in the initial complexes through changes in the active site residues involved in stabilisation of the adenosine portion of the nucleotide and in the mobile C-terminus of FPR.

Combating stress with flavodoxin: a promising route for crop improvement

Environmental stresses and iron limitation are the primary causes of crop losses worldwide. Engineering strategies aimed at gaining stress tolerance have focused on overexpression of endogenous genes belonging to molecular networks for stress perception or responses. Based on the typical response of photosynthetic microorganisms to stress, an alternative approach has been recently applied with considerable success. Ferredoxin, a stress-sensitive target, was replaced in tobacco chloroplasts by an isofunctional protein, a cyanobacterial flavodoxin, which is absent in plants. Resulting transgenic lines showed wide-range tolerance to drought, chilling, oxidants, heat and iron starvation. The survival of plants under such adverse conditions would be an enormous agricultural advantage and makes this novel strategy a potentially powerful biotechnological tool for the generation of multiple-tolerant crops in the near future.

Docking analysis of transient complexes: interaction of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase with ferredoxin and flavodoxin

Ferredoxin (Fd) interacts with ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase (FNR) to transfer two electrons to the latter, one by one, which will finally be used to reduce NADP(+) to NADPH. The formation of a transient complex between Fd and FNR is required for the electron transfer (ET), and extensive mutational and crystallographic studies have been reported to characterize such protein-protein interaction. However, some aspects of the association mechanism still remain unclear. Moreover, in spite of their structural differences, flavodoxin (Fld) can replace Fd in its function and interact with FNR to transfer electrons with only slightly lower efficiency. Although crystallographic structures for the FNR:Fd association have been reported, experimental structural data for the FNR:Fld interaction are highly elusive. We have modeled here the interactions between FNR and both of its protein partners, Fd and Fld, using surface energy analysis, computational rigid-body docking simulations, and interface side-chain refinement. The results, consistent with previous experimental data, suggest the existence of alternative binding modes in these ET proteins.

Modulation of the enzymatic efficiency of ferredoxin-NADP(H) reductase by the amino acid volume around the catalytic site

Ferredoxin (flavodoxin)-NADP(H) reductases (FNRs) are ubiquitous flavoenzymes that deliver NADPH or low-potential one-electron donors (ferredoxin, flavodoxin, adrenodoxin) to redox-based metabolic reactions in plastids, mitochondria and bacteria. Plastidic FNRs are quite efficient reductases. In contrast, FNRs from organisms possessing a heterotrophic metabolism or anoxygenic photosynthesis display turnover numbers 20- to 100-fold lower than those of their plastidic and cyanobacterial counterparts. Several structural features of these enzymes have yet to be explained. The residue Y308 in pea FNR is stacked nearly parallel to the re-face of the flavin and is highly conserved amongst members of the family. By computing the relative free energy for the lumiflavin-phenol pair at different angles with the relative position found for Y308 in pea FNR, it can be concluded that this amino acid is constrained against the isoalloxazine. This effect is probably caused by amino acids C266 and L268, which face the other side of this tyrosine. Simple and double FNR mutants of these amino acids were obtained and characterized. It was observed that a decrease or increase in the amino acid volume resulted in a decrease in the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme without altering the protein structure. Our results provide experimental evidence that the volume of these amino acids participates in the fine-tuning of the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme.

A mobile tryptophan is the intrinsic charge transfer donor in a flavoenzyme essential for nikkomycin antibiotic biosynthesis

The flavoenzyme nikD is required for the biosynthesis of nikkomycin antibiotics. NikD exhibits an unusual long wavelength absorption band attributed to a charge transfer complex of FAD with an unknown charge transfer donor. NikD crystals contain an endogenous active site ligand. At least four different compounds are detected in nikD extracts, including variable amounts of two ADP derivatives that bind to the enzyme's dinucleotide binding motif in competition with FAD, picolinate (0.07 mol/mol of nikD) and an unknown picolinate-like compound. Picolinate, the product of the physiological catalytic reaction, matches the properties deduced for the active site ligand in nikD crystals. The charge transfer band is eliminated upon mixing nikD with excess picolinate but not by a reversible unfolding procedure that removes the picolinate-like compound, ruling out both compounds as the intrinsic charge transfer donor. Mutation of Trp355 to Phe eliminates the charge transfer band, accompanied by a 30-fold decrease in substrate binding affinity. The results provide definitive evidence for Trp355 as the intrinsic charge transfer donor. The indole ring of Trp355 is coplanar with or perpendicular to the flavin ring in "open" or "closed" crystalline forms of nikD, respectively. Importantly, a coplanar configuration is required for charge transfer interaction. Absorption in the long wavelength region therefore constitutes a valuable probe for monitoring conformational changes in solution that are likely to be important in nikD catalysis.

Catalytic mechanism of hydride transfer between NADP+/H and ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase from Anabaena PCC 7119

The mechanism of hydride transfer between Anabaena FNR and NADP+/H was analysed using for the first time stopped-flow photodiode array detection and global analysis deconvolution. The results indicated that the initial spectral changes, occurring within the instrumental dead time upon reaction of FNR with NADP+/H, included not only the initial interaction and complex formation, but also the first subsequent steps of the sequential reactions that involve hydride transfer. Two different charge-transfer complexes formed prior and upon hydride transfer, FNRox-NADPH and FNRrd-NADP+. Detectable amounts of FNRox-NADPH were found at equilibrium, but FNRrd-NADP+ accumulated to a small extent and quickly evolved. The spectral properties of both charge-transfer complexes, for the first time in Anabaena FNR, as well as the corresponding inter-conversion hydride transfer rates were obtained. The need of an adequate initial interaction between NADP+/H and FNR, and subsequent conformational changes, was also established by studying the reactions of two FNR mutants.

Functional replacement of ferredoxin by a cyanobacterial flavodoxin in tobacco confers broad-range stress tolerance

Chloroplast ferredoxin (Fd) plays a pivotal role in plant cell metabolism by delivering reducing equivalents to various essential oxidoreductive pathways. Fd levels decrease under adverse environmental conditions in many microorganisms, including cyanobacteria, which share a common ancestor with chloroplasts. Conversely, stress situations induce the synthesis of flavodoxin (Fld), an electron carrier flavoprotein not found in plants, which can efficiently replace Fd in most electron transfer processes. We report here that chloroplast Fd also declined in plants exposed to oxidants or stress conditions. A purified cyanobacterial Fld was able to mediate plant Fd-dependent reactions in vitro, including NADP+ and thioredoxin reduction. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants expressing Fld in chloroplasts displayed increased tolerance to multiple sources of stress, including redox-cycling herbicides, extreme temperatures, high irradiation, water deficit, and UV radiation. Oxidant buildup and oxidative inactivation of thioredoxin-dependent plastidic enzymes were decreased in stressed plants expressing plastid-targeted Fld, suggesting that development of the tolerant phenotype relied on productive interaction of this flavoprotein with Fd-dependent oxidoreductive pathways of the host, most remarkably, thioredoxin reduction. The use of Fld provides new tools to investigate the requirements of photosynthesis in planta and to increase plant stress tolerance based on the introduction of a cyanobacterial product that is free from endogenous regulation in higher plants.

Exact analysis of heterotropic interactions in proteins: Characterization of cooperative ligand binding by isothermal titration calorimetry

Intramolecular interaction networks in proteins are responsible for heterotropic ligand binding cooperativity, a biologically important, widespread phenomenon in nature (e.g., signaling transduction cascades, enzymatic cofactors, enzymatic allosteric activators or inhibitors, gene transcription, or repression). The cooperative binding of two (or more) different ligands to a macromolecule is the underlying principle. To date, heterotropic effects have been studied mainly kinetically in enzymatic systems. Until now, approximate approaches have been employed for studying equilibrium heterotropic ligand binding effects, except in two special cases in which an exact analysis was developed: independent binding (no cooperativity) and competitive binding (maximal negative cooperativity). The exact analysis and methodology for characterizing ligand binding cooperativity interactions in the general case (any degree of cooperativity) using isothermal titration calorimetry are presented in this work. Intramolecular interaction pathways within the allosteric macromolecule can be identified and characterized using this methodology. As an example, the thermodynamic characterization of the binding interaction between ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase and its three substrates, NADP+, ferredoxin, and flavodoxin, as well as the characterization of their binding cooperativity interaction, is presented.

Identification of the N- and C-terminal substrate binding segments of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase by NMR

Ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase (FNR) catalyzes the reduction of NADP(+) through the formation of an electron transfer complex with ferredoxin. To gain insight into the interaction of this enzyme with substrates at both ends of the polypeptide chain, we performed NMR analyses of a 314-residue maize leaf FNR with a nearly complete assignment of the backbone resonances. The chemical shift perturbation upon formation of the complex indicated that a flexible N-terminal region of FNR contributed to the interaction with maize ferredoxin, and an analysis of N-terminally truncated mutants of FNR confirmed the importance of this region for the binding of ferredoxin. Comparison between the spectra of FNR in the NADP(+)- and inhibitor-bound states also revealed that the nicotinamide moiety of NADP(+) was accessible to the C-terminal Tyr314. We propose that the formation of the catalytic competent complex of FNR and substrates is achieved through the interaction of the N- and C-terminal segments with ferredoxin and NADP(+), respectively. Since the ends of the polypeptide chain act as flexible regions of proteins, they may contribute to the search of a larger space for a binding partner and to the opening of active sites.