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Purtov YA, Ozoline ON. Neuromodulators as Interdomain Signaling Molecules Capable of Occupying Effector Binding Sites in Bacterial Transcription Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15863. [PMID: 37958845 PMCID: PMC10647483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115863] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hormones and neurotransmitters are important components of inter-kingdom signaling systems that ensure the coexistence of eukaryotes with their microbial community. Their ability to affect bacterial physiology, metabolism, and gene expression was evidenced by various experimental approaches, but direct penetration into bacteria has only recently been reported. This opened the possibility of considering neuromodulators as potential effectors of bacterial ligand-dependent regulatory proteins. Here, we assessed the validity of this assumption for the neurotransmitters epinephrine, dopamine, and norepinephrine and two hormones (melatonin and serotonin). Using flexible molecular docking for transcription factors with ligand-dependent activity, we assessed the ability of neuromodulators to occupy their effector binding sites. For many transcription factors, including the global regulator of carbohydrate metabolism, CRP, and the key regulator of lactose assimilation, LacI, this ability was predicted based on the analysis of several 3D models. By occupying the ligand binding site, neuromodulators can sterically hinder the interaction of the target proteins with the natural effectors or even replace them. The data obtained suggest that the direct modulation of the activity of at least some bacterial transcriptional factors by neuromodulators is possible. Therefore, the natural hormonal background may be a factor that preadapts bacteria to the habitat through direct perception of host signaling molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri A. Purtov
- Department of Functional Genomics of Prokaryotes, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino 142290, Russia
| | - Olga N. Ozoline
- Department of Functional Genomics of Prokaryotes, Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino 142290, Russia
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Bogner AN, Ji J, Tanner JJ. Structure-based engineering of minimal proline dehydrogenase domains for inhibitor discovery. Protein Eng Des Sel 2022; 35:gzac016. [PMID: 36448708 PMCID: PMC9801229 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzac016] [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: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) catalyzes the FAD-dependent oxidation of l-proline to Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate and is a target for inhibitor discovery because of its importance in cancer cell metabolism. Because human PRODH is challenging to purify, the PRODH domains of the bacterial bifunctional enzyme proline utilization A (PutA) have been used for inhibitor development. These systems have limitations due to large polypeptide chain length, conformational flexibility and the presence of domains unrelated to PRODH activity. Herein, we report the engineering of minimal PRODH domains for inhibitor discovery. The best designs contain one-third of the 1233-residue PutA from Sinorhizobium meliloti and include a linker that replaces the PutA α-domain. The minimal PRODHs exhibit near wild-type enzymatic activity and are susceptible to known inhibitors and inactivators. Crystal structures of minimal PRODHs inhibited by S-(-)-tetrahydro-2-furoic acid and 2-(furan-2-yl)acetic acid were determined at 1.23 and 1.72 Å resolution. Minimal PRODHs should be useful in chemical probe discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra N Bogner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Juan Ji
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - John J Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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3
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Bogner AN, Tanner JJ. Structure-affinity relationships of reversible proline analog inhibitors targeting proline dehydrogenase. Org Biomol Chem 2022; 20:895-905. [PMID: 35018940 PMCID: PMC8864676 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob02328d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) catalyzes the first step of proline catabolism, the FAD-dependent oxidation of L-proline to Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate. PRODH plays a central role in the metabolic rewiring of cancer cells, which has motivated the discovery of inhibitors. Here, we studied the inhibition of PRODH by 18 proline-like compounds to understand the structural and chemical features responsible for the affinity of the best-known inhibitor, S-(-)-tetrahydro-2-furoic acid (1). The compounds were screened, and then six were selected for more thorough kinetic analysis: cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid (2), cyclobutanecarboxylic acid (3), cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4), cyclopentanecarboxylic acid (16), 2-oxobutyric acid (17), and (2S)-oxetane-2-carboxylic acid (18). These compounds are competitive inhibitors with inhibition constants in the range of 1.4-6 mM, compared to 0.3 mM for 1. Crystal structures of PRODH complexed with 2, 3, 4, and 18 were determined. All four inhibitors bind in the proline substrate site, but the orientations of their rings differ from that of 1. The binding of 3 and 18 is accompanied by compression of the active site to enable nonpolar contacts with Leu513. Compound 2 is unique in that the additional carboxylate displaces a structurally conserved water molecule from the active site. Compound 18 also destabilizes the conserved water, but by an unexpected non-steric mechanism. The results are interpreted using a chemical double mutant thermodynamic cycle. This analysis revealed unanticipated synergism between ring size and hydrogen bonding to the conserved water. These structure-affinity relationships provide new information relevant to the development of new inhibitor design strategies targeting PRODH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra N. Bogner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - John J. Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
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4
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Korasick DA, Campbell AC, Christgen SL, Chakravarthy S, White TA, Becker DF, Tanner JJ. Redox Modulation of Oligomeric State in Proline Utilization A. Biophys J 2019; 114:2833-2843. [PMID: 29925020 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.04.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Homooligomerization of proline utilization A (PutA) bifunctional flavoenzymes is intimately tied to catalytic function and substrate channeling. PutA from Bradyrhizobium japonicum (BjPutA) is unique among PutAs in that it forms a tetramer in solution. Curiously, a dimeric BjPutA hot spot mutant was previously shown to display wild-type catalytic activity despite lacking the tetrameric structure. These observations raised the question of what is the active oligomeric state of BjPutA. Herein, we investigate the factors that contribute to tetramerization of BjPutA in vitro. Negative-stain electron microscopy indicates that BjPutA is primarily dimeric at nanomolar concentrations, suggesting concentration-dependent tetramerization. Further, sedimentation-velocity analysis of BjPutA at high (micromolar) concentration reveals that although the binding of active-site ligands does not alter oligomeric state, reduction of the flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor results in dimeric protein. Size-exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle light scattering and small-angle x-ray scattering analysis also reveals that reduced BjPutA is dimeric. Taken together, these results suggest that the BjPutA oligomeric state is dependent upon both enzyme concentration and the redox state of the flavin cofactor. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of redox-linked oligomerization in the PutA family.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Korasick
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Ashley C Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Shelbi L Christgen
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
| | - Srinivas Chakravarthy
- Biophysics Collaborative Access Team, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois
| | - Tommi A White
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri; Electron Microscopy Core Facility, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Donald F Becker
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
| | - John J Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri; Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.
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Christgen SL, Becker DF. Role of Proline in Pathogen and Host Interactions. Antioxid Redox Signal 2019; 30:683-709. [PMID: 29241353 PMCID: PMC6338583 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2017.7335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Proline metabolism has complex roles in a variety of biological processes, including cell signaling, stress protection, and energy production. Proline also contributes to the pathogenesis of various disease-causing organisms. Understanding the mechanisms of how pathogens utilize proline is important for developing new strategies against infectious diseases. Recent Advances: The ability of pathogens to acquire amino acids is critical during infection. Besides protein biosynthesis, some amino acids, such as proline, serve as a carbon, nitrogen, or energy source in bacterial and protozoa pathogens. The role of proline during infection depends on the physiology of the host/pathogen interactions. Some pathogens rely on proline as a critical respiratory substrate, whereas others exploit proline for stress protection. CRITICAL ISSUES Disruption of proline metabolism and uptake has been shown to significantly attenuate virulence of certain pathogens, whereas in other pathogens the importance of proline during infection is not known. Inhibiting proline metabolism and transport may be a useful therapeutic strategy against some pathogens. Developing specific inhibitors to avoid off-target effects in the host, however, will be challenging. Also, potential treatments that target proline metabolism should consider the impact on intracellular levels of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate, a metabolite intermediate that can have opposing effects on pathogenesis. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Further characterization of how proline metabolism is regulated during infection would provide new insights into the role of proline in pathogenesis. Biochemical and structural characterization of proline metabolic enzymes from different pathogens could lead to new tools for exploring proline metabolism during infection and possibly new therapeutic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelbi L. Christgen
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska−Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska
| | - Donald F. Becker
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska−Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska
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Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Proline catabolism refers to the 4-electron oxidation of proline to glutamate catalyzed by the enzymes proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and l-glutamate γ-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (GSALDH, or ALDH4A1). These enzymes and the intermediate metabolites of the pathway have been implicated in tumor growth and suppression, metastasis, hyperprolinemia metabolic disorders, schizophrenia susceptibility, life span extension, and pathogen virulence and survival. In some bacteria, PRODH and GSALDH are combined into a bifunctional enzyme known as proline utilization A (PutA). PutAs are not only virulence factors in some pathogenic bacteria but also fascinating systems for studying the coordination of metabolic enzymes via substrate channeling. Recent Advances: The past decade has seen an explosion of structural data for proline catabolic enzymes. This review surveys these structures, emphasizing protein folds, substrate recognition, oligomerization, kinetic mechanisms, and substrate channeling in PutA. CRITICAL ISSUES Major unsolved structural targets include eukaryotic PRODH, the complex between monofunctional PRODH and monofunctional GSALDH, and the largest of all PutAs, trifunctional PutA. The structural basis of PutA-membrane association is poorly understood. Fundamental aspects of substrate channeling in PutA remain unknown, such as the identity of the channeled intermediate, how the tunnel system is activated, and the roles of ancillary tunnels. FUTURE DIRECTIONS New approaches are needed to study the molecular and in vivo mechanisms of substrate channeling. With the discovery of the proline cycle driving tumor growth and metastasis, the development of inhibitors of proline metabolic enzymes has emerged as an exciting new direction. Structural biology will be important in these endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Tanner
- 1 Department of Biochemistry and University of Missouri-Columbia , Columbia, Missouri.,2 Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia , Columbia, Missouri
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Abstract
Interest in how proline contributes to cancer biology is expanding because of the emerging role of a novel proline metabolic cycle in cancer cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. Proline biosynthesis and degradation involve the shared intermediate Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C), which forms l-glutamate-γ-semialdehyde (GSAL) in a reversible non-enzymatic reaction. Proline is synthesized from glutamate or ornithine through GSAL/P5C, which is reduced to proline by P5C reductase (PYCR) in a NAD(P)H-dependent reaction. The degradation of proline occurs in the mitochondrion and involves two oxidative steps catalyzed by proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and GSAL dehydrogenase (GSALDH). PRODH is a flavin-dependent enzyme that couples proline oxidation with reduction of membrane-bound quinone, while GSALDH catalyzes the NAD+-dependent oxidation of GSAL to glutamate. PRODH and PYCR form a metabolic relationship known as the proline-P5C cycle, a novel pathway that impacts cellular growth and death pathways. The proline-P5C cycle has been implicated in supporting ATP production, protein and nucleotide synthesis, anaplerosis, and redox homeostasis in cancer cells. This Perspective details the structures and reaction mechanisms of PRODH and PYCR and the role of the proline-P5C cycle in cancer metabolism. A major challenge in the field is to discover inhibitors that specifically target PRODH and PYCR isoforms for use as tools for studying proline metabolism and the functions of the proline-P5C cycle in cancer. These molecular probes could also serve as lead compounds in cancer drug discovery targeting the proline-P5C cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J. Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Sarah-Maria Fendt
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Donald F. Becker
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
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Christgen SL, Zhu W, Sanyal N, Bibi B, Tanner JJ, Becker DF. Discovery of the Membrane Binding Domain in Trifunctional Proline Utilization A. Biochemistry 2017; 56:6292-6303. [PMID: 29090935 PMCID: PMC6044449 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b01008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli proline utilization A (EcPutA) is the archetype of trifunctional PutA flavoproteins, which function both as regulators of the proline utilization operon and bifunctional enzymes that catalyze the four-electron oxidation of proline to glutamate. EcPutA shifts from a self-regulating transcriptional repressor to a bifunctional enzyme in a process known as functional switching. The flavin redox state dictates the function of EcPutA. Upon proline oxidation, the flavin becomes reduced, triggering a conformational change that causes EcPutA to dissociate from the put regulon and bind to the cellular membrane. Major structure/function domains of EcPutA have been characterized, including the DNA-binding domain, proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and l-glutamate-γ-semialdehyde dehydrogenase catalytic domains, and an aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily fold domain. Still lacking is an understanding of the membrane-binding domain, which is essential for EcPutA catalytic turnover and functional switching. Here, we provide evidence for a conserved C-terminal motif (CCM) in EcPutA having a critical role in membrane binding. Deletion of the CCM or replacement of hydrophobic residues with negatively charged residues within the CCM impairs EcPutA functional and physical membrane association. Furthermore, cell-based transcription assays and limited proteolysis indicate that the CCM is essential for functional switching. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer involving dansyl-labeled liposomes, residues in the α-domain are also implicated in membrane binding. Taken together, these experiments suggest that the CCM and α-domain converge to form a membrane-binding interface near the PRODH domain. The discovery of the membrane-binding region will assist efforts to define flavin redox signaling pathways responsible for EcPutA functional switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelbi L. Christgen
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
| | - Weidong Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
| | - Nikhilesh Sanyal
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
| | - Bushra Bibi
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
| | - John J. Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Donald F. Becker
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
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10
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Liu LK, Becker DF, Tanner JJ. Structure, function, and mechanism of proline utilization A (PutA). Arch Biochem Biophys 2017; 632:142-157. [PMID: 28712849 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Proline has important roles in multiple biological processes such as cellular bioenergetics, cell growth, oxidative and osmotic stress response, protein folding and stability, and redox signaling. The proline catabolic pathway, which forms glutamate, enables organisms to utilize proline as a carbon, nitrogen, and energy source. FAD-dependent proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and NAD+-dependent glutamate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (GSALDH) convert proline to glutamate in two sequential oxidative steps. Depletion of PRODH and GSALDH in humans leads to hyperprolinemia, which is associated with mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Also, some pathogens require proline catabolism for virulence. A unique aspect of proline catabolism is the multifunctional proline utilization A (PutA) enzyme found in Gram-negative bacteria. PutA is a large (>1000 residues) bifunctional enzyme that combines PRODH and GSALDH activities into one polypeptide chain. In addition, some PutAs function as a DNA-binding transcriptional repressor of proline utilization genes. This review describes several attributes of PutA that make it a remarkable flavoenzyme: (1) diversity of oligomeric state and quaternary structure; (2) substrate channeling and enzyme hysteresis; (3) DNA-binding activity and transcriptional repressor function; and (4) flavin redox dependent changes in subcellular location and function in response to proline (functional switching).
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Kai Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, United States
| | - Donald F Becker
- Department of Biochemistry and Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0664, United States.
| | - John J Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, United States.
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Sobrado P, Tanner JJ. Multiple functionalities of reduced flavin in the non-redox reaction catalyzed by UDP-galactopyranose mutase. Arch Biochem Biophys 2017; 632:59-65. [PMID: 28652025 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2017.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Flavin cofactors are widely used by enzymes to catalyze a broad range of chemical reactions. Traditionally, flavins in enzymes are regarded as redox centers, which enable enzymes to catalyze the oxidation or reduction of substrates. However, a new class of flavoenzyme has emerged over the past quarter century in which the flavin functions as a catalytic center in a non-redox reaction. Here we introduce the unifying concept of flavin hot spots to understand and categorize the mechanisms and reactivities of both traditional and noncanonical flavoenzymes. The major hot spots of reactivity include the N5, C4a, and C4O atoms of the isoalloxazine, and the 2' hydroxyl of the ribityl chain. The role of hot spots in traditional flavoenzymes, such as monooxygenases, is briefly reviewed. A more detailed description of flavin hot spots in noncanonical flavoenzymes is provided, with a focus on UDP-galactopyranose mutase, where the N5 functions as a nucleophile that attacks the anomeric carbon atom of the substrate. Recent results from mechanistic enzymology, kinetic crystallography, and computational chemistry provide a complete picture of the chemical mechanism of UDP-galactopyranose mutase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Sobrado
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - John J Tanner
- Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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Korasick DA, Gamage TT, Christgen S, Stiers KM, Beamer LJ, Henzl MT, Becker DF, Tanner JJ. Structure and characterization of a class 3B proline utilization A: Ligand-induced dimerization and importance of the C-terminal domain for catalysis. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:9652-9665. [PMID: 28420730 PMCID: PMC5465489 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.786855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The bifunctional flavoenzyme proline utilization A (PutA) catalyzes the two-step oxidation of proline to glutamate using separate proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and l-glutamate-γ-semialdehyde dehydrogenase active sites. Because PutAs catalyze sequential reactions, they are good systems for studying how metabolic enzymes communicate via substrate channeling. Although mechanistically similar, PutAs vary widely in domain architecture, oligomeric state, and quaternary structure, and these variations represent different structural solutions to the problem of sequestering a reactive metabolite. Here, we studied PutA from Corynebacterium freiburgense (CfPutA), which belongs to the uncharacterized 3B class of PutAs. A 2.7 Å resolution crystal structure showed the canonical arrangement of PRODH, l-glutamate-γ-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, and C-terminal domains, including an extended interdomain tunnel associated with substrate channeling. The structure unexpectedly revealed a novel open conformation of the PRODH active site, which is interpreted to represent the non-activated conformation, an elusive form of PutA that exhibits suboptimal channeling. Nevertheless, CfPutA exhibited normal substrate-channeling activity, indicating that it isomerizes into the active state under assay conditions. Sedimentation-velocity experiments provided insight into the isomerization process, showing that CfPutA dimerizes in the presence of a proline analog and NAD+ These results are consistent with the morpheein model of enzyme hysteresis, in which substrate binding induces conformational changes that promote assembly of a high-activity oligomer. Finally, we used domain deletion analysis to investigate the function of the C-terminal domain. Although this domain contains neither catalytic residues nor substrate sites, its removal impaired both catalytic activities, suggesting that it may be essential for active-site integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shelbi Christgen
- Department of Biochemistry and Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588
| | | | | | | | - Donald F Becker
- Department of Biochemistry and Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588
| | - John J Tanner
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and
- Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, and
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13
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Moxley MA, Zhang L, Christgen S, Tanner JJ, Becker DF. Identification of a Conserved Histidine As Being Critical for the Catalytic Mechanism and Functional Switching of the Multifunctional Proline Utilization A Protein. Biochemistry 2017; 56:3078-3088. [PMID: 28558236 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Proline utilization A from Escherichia coli (EcPutA) is a multifunctional flavoenzyme that oxidizes proline to glutamate through proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (P5CDH) activities, while also switching roles as a DNA-bound transcriptional repressor and a membrane-bound catabolic enzyme. This phenomenon, termed functional switching, occurs through a redox-mediated mechanism in which flavin reduction triggers a conformational change that increases EcPutA membrane binding affinity. Structural studies have shown that reduction of the FAD cofactor causes the ribityl moiety to undergo a crankshaft motion, indicating that the orientation of the ribityl chain is a key element of PutA functional switching. Here, we test the role of a conserved histidine that bridges from the FAD pyrophosphate to the backbone amide of a conserved leucine residue in the PRODH active site. An EcPutA mutant (H487A) was characterized by steady-state and rapid-reaction kinetics, and cell-based reporter gene experiments. The catalytic activity of H487A is severely diminished (>50-fold) with membrane vesicles as the electron acceptor, and H487A exhibits impaired lipid binding and in vivo transcriptional repressor activity. Rapid-reaction kinetic experiments demonstrate that H487A is 3-fold slower than wild-type EcPutA in a conformational change step following reduction of the FAD cofactor. Furthermore, the reduction potential (Em) of H487A is ∼40 mV more positive than that of wild-type EcPutA, and H487A has an attenuated ability to catalyze the reverse PRODH chemical step of reoxidation by P5C. In this process, significant red semiquinone forms in contrast to the same reaction with wild-type EcPutA, in which facile two-electron reoxidation occurs without the formation of a measurable amount of semiquinone. These results indicate that His487 is critically important for the proline/P5C chemical step, conformational change kinetics, and functional switching in EcPutA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Moxley
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln , Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln , Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
| | - Shelbi Christgen
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln , Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
| | - John J Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia , Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Donald F Becker
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln , Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
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14
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Arentson BW, Hayes EL, Zhu W, Singh H, Tanner JJ, Becker DF. Engineering a trifunctional proline utilization A chimaera by fusing a DNA-binding domain to a bifunctional PutA. Biosci Rep 2016; 36:e00413. [PMID: 27742866 PMCID: PMC5293562 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Proline utilization A (PutA) is a bifunctional flavoenzyme with proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) dehydrogenase (P5CDH) domains that catalyses the two-step oxidation of proline to glutamate. Trifunctional PutAs also have an N-terminal ribbon-helix-helix (RHH) DNA-binding domain and moonlight as autogenous transcriptional repressors of the put regulon. A unique property of trifunctional PutA is the ability to switch functions from DNA-bound repressor to membrane-associated enzyme in response to cellular nutritional needs and proline availability. In the present study, we attempt to construct a trifunctional PutA by fusing the RHH domain of Escherichia coli PutA (EcRHH) to the bifunctional Rhodobacter capsulatus PutA (RcPutA) in order to explore the modular design of functional switching in trifunctional PutAs. The EcRHH-RcPutA chimaera retains the catalytic properties of RcPutA while acquiring the oligomeric state, quaternary structure and DNA-binding properties of EcPutA. Furthermore, the EcRHH-RcPutA chimaera exhibits proline-induced lipid association, which is a fundamental characteristic of functional switching. Unexpectedly, RcPutA lipid binding is also activated by proline, which shows for the first time that bifunctional PutAs exhibit a limited form of functional switching. Altogether, these results suggest that the C-terminal domain (CTD), which is conserved by trifunctional PutAs and certain bifunctional PutAs, is essential for functional switching in trifunctional PutAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin W Arentson
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, U.S.A
| | - Erin L Hayes
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, U.S.A
| | - Weidong Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, U.S.A
| | - Harkewal Singh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, U.S.A
- Protein Technologies and Assays, Research and Development, MilliporeSigma, 2909 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103, U.S.A
| | - John J Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, U.S.A
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, U.S.A
| | - Donald F Becker
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, U.S.A.
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15
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Proline metabolism increases katG expression and oxidative stress resistance in Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 2014; 197:431-40. [PMID: 25384482 DOI: 10.1128/jb.02282-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The oxidation of l-proline to glutamate in Gram-negative bacteria is catalyzed by the proline utilization A (PutA) flavoenzyme, which contains proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and Δ(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) dehydrogenase domains in a single polypeptide. Previous studies have suggested that aside from providing energy, proline metabolism influences oxidative stress resistance in different organisms. To explore this potential role and the mechanism, we characterized the oxidative stress resistance of wild-type and putA mutant strains of Escherichia coli. Initial stress assays revealed that the putA mutant strain was significantly more sensitive to oxidative stress than the parental wild-type strain. Expression of PutA in the putA mutant strain restored oxidative stress resistance, confirming that depletion of PutA was responsible for the oxidative stress phenotype. Treatment of wild-type cells with proline significantly increased hydroperoxidase I (encoded by katG) expression and activity. Furthermore, the ΔkatG strain failed to respond to proline, indicating a critical role for hydroperoxidase I in the mechanism of proline protection. The global regulator OxyR activates the expression of katG along with several other genes involved in oxidative stress defense. In addition to katG, proline increased the expression of grxA (glutaredoxin 1) and trxC (thioredoxin 2) of the OxyR regulon, implicating OxyR in proline protection. Proline oxidative metabolism was shown to generate hydrogen peroxide, indicating that proline increases oxidative stress tolerance in E. coli via a preadaptive effect involving endogenous hydrogen peroxide production and enhanced catalase-peroxidase activity.
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16
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Moxley MA, Sanyal N, Krishnan N, Tanner JJ, Becker DF. Evidence for hysteretic substrate channeling in the proline dehydrogenase and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase coupled reaction of proline utilization A (PutA). J Biol Chem 2013; 289:3639-51. [PMID: 24352662 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.523704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
PutA (proline utilization A) is a large bifunctional flavoenzyme with proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and Δ(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (P5CDH) domains that catalyze the oxidation of l-proline to l-glutamate in two successive reactions. In the PRODH active site, proline undergoes a two-electron oxidation to Δ(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxlylate, and the FAD cofactor is reduced. In the P5CDH active site, l-glutamate-γ-semialdehyde (the hydrolyzed form of Δ(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate) undergoes a two-electron oxidation in which a hydride is transferred to NAD(+)-producing NADH and glutamate. Here we report the first kinetic model for the overall PRODH-P5CDH reaction of a PutA enzyme. Global analysis of steady-state and transient kinetic data for the PRODH, P5CDH, and coupled PRODH-P5CDH reactions was used to test various models describing the conversion of proline to glutamate by Escherichia coli PutA. The coupled PRODH-P5CDH activity of PutA is best described by a mechanism in which the intermediate is not released into the bulk medium, i.e., substrate channeling. Unexpectedly, single-turnover kinetic experiments of the coupled PRODH-P5CDH reaction revealed that the rate of NADH formation is 20-fold slower than the steady-state turnover number for the overall reaction, implying that catalytic cycling speeds up throughput. We show that the limiting rate constant observed for NADH formation in the first turnover increases by almost 40-fold after multiple turnovers, achieving half of the steady-state value after 15 turnovers. These results suggest that EcPutA achieves an activated channeling state during the approach to steady state and is thus a new example of a hysteretic enzyme. Potential underlying causes of activation of channeling are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Moxley
- From the Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588 and
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17
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Scazzocchio C. In praise of erroneous hypotheses. Fungal Genet Biol 2013; 58-59:126-31. [PMID: 23973960 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2013.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In the sixties Cove and Pateman discovered that mutants of Aspergillus nidulans lacking nitrate reductase activity were constitutive for the expression of genes induced by nitrate and dependent on the transcription factor NirA. They proposed that the nitrate protein acted as a repressor, preventing the transcription factor activity of NirA. Nitrate-mediated regulation behaved similarly in other organisms. This "autogenous regulation hypothesis" has recently shown to be erroneous, in the very organism for which it was first proposed. Nevertheless this erroneous hypothesis have led to a thorough dissection of the process of regulation of nitrate assimilation and more importantly to a hypothesis bearing on the origin of metabolite-responsive transcription factors. In this article I discuss the heuristic value and evolutionary importance of autogenous regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Scazzocchio
- Department of Microbiology, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom; Institut de Génétique et Microbiologie, CNRS UMR 8621, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay, France.
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