A lysine-tyrosine pair carries out acid-base chemistry in the metal ion-dependent pyridine dinucleotide-linked beta-hydroxyacid oxidative decarboxylases

Substrate Promiscuity of Thermoplasma acidophilum Malic Enzyme for CO2 Fixation Reaction

CO2 fixation technology has gained attention as a method to effectively utilize the abundant CO2 in the atmosphere by converting it into useful chemicals. However, since CO2 is a highly stable molecule, many of the currently developed methods for chemical CO2 fixation require harsh conditions and reactive reagents. The establishment of efficient and sustainable processes is eagerly awaited. In this study, we investigated a biocatalytic process and achieved a carboxylation reaction under mild conditions (37 °C, 0.1 MPa CO2) using a biocatalyst, Thermoplasma acidophilum NADP+-malic enzyme (TaME), and gaseous CO2 by coupling enzymatic coenzyme regeneration. We also demonstrated for the first time that the carboxylation reaction by ME proceeds not only with pyruvate, a natural substrate, but also with 2-ketoglutarate.

Structural Studies of Aliphatic Glucosinolate Chain-Elongation Enzymes

Plants evolved specialized metabolic pathways through gene duplication and functional divergence of enzymes involved in primary metabolism. The results of this process are varied pathways that produce an array of natural products useful to both plants and humans. In plants, glucosinolates are a diverse class of natural products. Glucosinolate function stems from their hydrolysis products, which are responsible for the strong flavors of Brassicales plants, such as mustard, and serve as plant defense molecules by repelling insects, fighting fungal infections, and discouraging herbivory. Additionally, certain hydrolysis products such as isothiocyanates can potentially serve as cancer prevention agents in humans. The breadth of glucosinolate function is a result of its great structural diversity, which comes from the use of aliphatic, aromatic and indole amino acids as precursors and elongation of some side chains by up to nine carbons, which, after the formation of the core glucosinolate structure, can undergo further chemical modifications. Aliphatic methionine-derived glucosinolates are the most abundant form of these compounds. Although both elongation and chemical modification of amino acid side chains are important for aliphatic glucosinolate diversity, its elongation process has not been well described at the molecular level. Here, we summarize new insights on the iterative chain-elongation enzymes methylthioalkylmalate synthase (MAMS) and isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (IPMDH).

Characterization of 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase from extremely halophilic archaeon Haloarcula japonica

3-Isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (IPMDH) catalyzes oxidative decarboxylation of (2R, 3S)-3-isopropylmalate to 2-oxoisocaproate in leucine biosynthesis. In this study, recombinant IPMDH (HjIPMDH) from an extremely halophilic archaeon, Haloarcula japonica TR-1, was characterized. Activity of HjIPMDH increased as KCl concentration increased, and the maximum activity was observed at 3.0 m KCl. Analytical ultracentrifugation revealed that HjIPMDH formed a homotetramer at high KCl concentrations, and it dissociated to a monomer at low KCl concentrations. Additionally, HjIPMDH was thermally stabilized by higher KCl concentrations. This is the first report on haloarchaeal IPMDH.

Crystal structures of NAD+-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase from the green alga Ostreococcus tauri and its evolutionary relationship with eukaryotic NADP+-linked homologs

NAD⁺-linked isocitrate dehydrogenases (NAD-IDHs) catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate into α-ketoglutarate. Previously, we identified a novel phylogenetic clade including NAD-IDHs from several algae in the type II subfamily, represented by homodimeric NAD-IDH from Ostreococcus tauri (OtIDH). However, due to its lack of a crystalline structure, the molecular mechanisms of the ligand binding and catalysis of OtIDH are little known. Here, we elucidate four high-resolution crystal structures of OtIDH in a ligand-free and various ligand-bound forms that capture at least three states in the catalytic cycle: open, semi-closed, and fully closed. Our results indicate that OtIDH shows several novel interactions with NAD⁺, unlike type I NAD-IDHs, as well as a strictly conserved substrate binding mode that is similar to other homologs. The central roles of Lys283' in dual coenzyme recognition and Lys234 in catalysis were also revealed. In addition, the crystal structures obtained here also allow us to understand the catalytic mechanism. As expected, structural comparisons reveal that OtIDH has a very high structural similarity to eukaryotic NADP⁺-linked IDHs (NADP-IDHs) within the type II subfamily rather than with the previously reported NAD-IDHs within the type I subfamily. It has also been demonstrated that OtIDH exhibits substantial conformation changes upon ligand binding, similar to eukaryotic NADP-IDHs. These results unambiguously support our hypothesis that OtIDH and OtIDH-like homologs are possible evolutionary ancestors of eukaryotic NADP-IDHs in type II subfamily.

The chemical mechanisms of the enzymes in the branched-chain amino acids biosynthetic pathway and their applications

l-Valine, l-isoleucine, and l-leucine are three key proteinogenic amino acids, and they are also the essential amino acids required for mammalian growth, possessing important and to some extent, special physiological and biological functions. Because of the branched structures in their carbon chains, they are also named as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). This review will highlight the advance in studies of the enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of BCAAs, concentrating on their chemical mechanisms and applications in screening herbicides and antibacterial agents. The uses of some of these enzymes in lab scale organic synthesis are also discussed.

Characterization of cancer-associated IDH2 mutations that differ in tumorigenicity, chemosensitivity and 2-hydroxyglutarate production

The family of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) enzymes is vital for cellular metabolism, as IDH1 and IDH2 are required for the decarboxylation of isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate. Heterozygous somatic mutations in IDH1 or IDH2 genes have been detected in many cancers. They share the neomorphic production of the oncometabolite (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate [(R)-2-HG]. With respect to IDH2, it is unclear whether all IDH2 mutations display the same or differ in tumorigenic properties and degrees of chemosensitivity. Here, we evaluated the three most frequent IDH2 mutations occurring in cancer. The predicted changes to the enzyme structure introduced by these individual mutations are supported by the observed production of (R)-2-HG. However, their tumorigenic properties, response to chemotherapeutic agents, and baseline activation of STAT3 differed. Paradoxically, the varying levels of endogenous (R)-2-HG produced by each IDH2 mutant inversely correlated with their respective growth rates. Interestingly, while we found that (R)-2-HG stimulated the growth of non-transformed cells, (R)-2-HG also displayed antitumor activity by suppressing the growth of tumors harboring wild type IDH2. The mitogenic effect of (R)-2-HG in immortalized cells could be switched to antiproliferative by transformation with oncogenic RAS. Thus, our findings show that despite their shared (R)-2-HG production, IDH2 mutations are not alike and differ in shaping tumor cell behavior and response to chemotherapeutic agents. Our study also reveals that under certain conditions, (R)-2-HG has antitumor properties.

Human Glycerol 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase: X-ray Crystal Structures That Guide the Interpretation of Mutagenesis Studies

Human liver glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase ( hlGPDH) catalyzes the reduction of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) to form glycerol 3-phosphate, using the binding energy associated with the nonreacting phosphodianion of the substrate to properly orient the enzyme-substrate complex within the active site. Herein, we report the crystal structures for unliganded, binary E·NAD, and ternary E·NAD·DHAP complexes of wild type hlGPDH, illustrating a new position of DHAP, and probe the kinetics of multiple mutant enzymes with natural and truncated substrates. Mutation of Lys120, which is positioned to donate a proton to the carbonyl of DHAP, results in similar increases in the activation barrier to hlGPDH-catlyzed reduction of DHAP and to phosphite dianion-activated reduction of glycolaldehyde, illustrating that these transition states show similar interactions with the cationic K120 side chain. The K120A mutation results in a 5.3 kcal/mol transition state destabilization, and 3.0 kcal/mol of the lost transition state stabilization is rescued by 1.0 M ethylammonium cation. The 6.5 kcal/mol increase in the activation barrier observed for the D260G mutant hlGPDH-catalyzed reaction represents a 3.5 kcal/mol weakening of transition state stabilization by the K120A side chain and a 3.0 kcal/mol weakening of the interactions with other residues. The interactions, at the enzyme active site, between the K120 side chain and the Q295 and R269 side chains were likewise examined by double-mutant analyses. These results provide strong evidence that the enzyme rate acceleration is due mainly or exclusively to transition state stabilization by electrostatic interactions with polar amino acid side chains.

Dynamic Description of the Catalytic Cycle of Malate Enzyme: Stereoselective Recognition of Substrate, Chemical Reaction, and Ligand Release

In protein engineering, investigations of catalytic cycle facilitate rational design of enzymes. In the present work, deeper analysis on the catalytic cycle of malate enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40), an enzyme involved in cancer metabolic and fatty acid synthesis, was performed. In substrate binding, stereoselective recognition of a substrate originates from distance and angle difference between two chiral substrates and Mn²⁺ as well as monodentate or coplanar ion reaction with Arg165. In catalytic transformation, the activation barrier for the hydride transfer of d-malate is 20.28 kcal/mol higher than that for l-malate. The activation barrier for β-decarboxylation of oxaloacetate is about 4.59 kcal/mol higher than the activation barrier for the hydride transfer of l-malate. The effective activation barrier is 16.44 kcal/mol, which is in close agreement with the value derived from the application of transition-state theory and the Eyring equation to k_cat. In ligand release, l/d-malate needs to overcome a higher barrier than pyruvate to break all bonds in parallel and then to escape from the binding pocket. Leu167 and Asn421 comprise a swinging gate to control the product release. The more open gate is possibly required in the direction of pyruvate to l-malate. Our studies are focused on extending structural knowledge regarding the malate enzyme and provided a powerful strategy for future experimental investigations.

Metabolite–Enzyme Coevolution: From Single Enzymes to Metabolic Pathways and Networks

How individual enzymes evolved is relatively well understood. However, individual enzymes rarely confer a physiological advantage on their own. Judging by its current state, the emergence of metabolism seemingly demanded the simultaneous emergence of many enzymes. Indeed, how multicomponent interlocked systems, like metabolic pathways, evolved is largely an open question. This complexity can be unlocked if we assume that survival of the fittest applies not only to genes and enzymes but also to the metabolites they produce. This review develops our current knowledge of enzyme evolution into a wider hypothesis of pathway and network evolution. We describe the current models for pathway evolution and offer an integrative metabolite–enzyme coevolution hypothesis. Our hypothesis addresses the origins of new metabolites and of new enzymes and the order of their recruitment. We aim to not only survey established knowledge but also present open questions and potential ways of addressing them.

Bacterial Branched-Chain Amino Acid Biosynthesis: Structures, Mechanisms, and Drugability

The eight enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of the three branched-chain amino acids (l-isoleucine, l-leucine, and l-valine) were identified decades ago using classical genetic approaches based on amino acid auxotrophy. This review will highlight the recent progress in the determination of the three-dimensional structures of these enzymes, their chemical mechanisms, and insights into their suitability as targets for the development of antibacterial agents. Given the enormous rise in bacterial drug resistance to every major class of antibacterial compound, there is a clear and present need for the identification of new antibacterial compounds with nonoverlapping targets to currently used antibacterials that target cell wall, protein, mRNA, and DNA synthesis.

Structure and Mechanism of Isopropylmalate Dehydrogenase from Arabidopsis thaliana: INSIGHTS ON LEUCINE AND ALIPHATIC GLUCOSINOLATE BIOSYNTHESIS

Isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (IPMDH) and 3-(2'-methylthio)ethylmalate dehydrogenase catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of different β-hydroxyacids in the leucine- and methionine-derived glucosinolate biosynthesis pathways, respectively, in plants. Evolution of the glucosinolate biosynthetic enzyme from IPMDH results from a single amino acid substitution that alters substrate specificity. Here, we present the x-ray crystal structures of Arabidopsis thaliana IPMDH2 (AtIPMDH2) in complex with either isopropylmalate and Mg(2+) or NAD(+) These structures reveal conformational changes that occur upon ligand binding and provide insight on the active site of the enzyme. The x-ray structures and kinetic analysis of site-directed mutants are consistent with a chemical mechanism in which Lys-232 activates a water molecule for catalysis. Structural analysis of the AtIPMDH2 K232M mutant and isothermal titration calorimetry supports a key role of Lys-232 in the reaction mechanism. This study suggests that IPMDH-like enzymes in both leucine and glucosinolate biosynthesis pathways use a common mechanism and that members of the β-hydroxyacid reductive decarboxylase family employ different active site features for similar reactions.

Dual Role of the Active Site Residues of Thermus thermophilus 3-Isopropylmalate Dehydrogenase: Chemical Catalysis and Domain Closure

The key active site residues K185, Y139, D217, D241, D245, and N102 of Thermus thermophilus 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (Tt-IPMDH) have been replaced, one by one, with Ala. A drastic decrease in the kcat value (0.06% compared to that of the wild-type enzyme) has been observed for the K185A and D241A mutants. Similarly, the catalytic interactions (Km values) of these two mutants with the substrate IPM are weakened by more than 1 order of magnitude. The other mutants retained some (1-13%) of the catalytic activity of the wild-type enzyme and do not exhibit appreciable changes in the substrate Km values. The pH dependence of the wild-type enzyme activity (pK = 7.4) is shifted toward higher values for mutants K185A and D241A (pK values of 8.4 and 8.5, respectively). For the other mutants, smaller changes have been observed. Consequently, K185 and D241 may constitute a proton relay system that can assist in the abstraction of a proton from the OH group of IPM during catalysis. Molecular dynamics simulations provide strong support for the neutral character of K185 in the resting state of the enzyme, which implies that K185 abstracts the proton from the substrate and D241 assists the process via electrostatic interactions with K185. Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations revealed a significant increase in the activation energy of the hydride transfer of the redox step for both D217A and D241A mutants. Crystal structure analysis of the molecular contacts of the investigated residues in the enzyme-substrate complex revealed their additional importance (in particular that of K185, D217, and D241) in stabilizing the domain-closed active conformation. In accordance with this, small-angle X-ray scattering measurements indicated the complete absence of domain closure in the cases of D217A and D241A mutants, while only partial domain closure could be detected for the other mutants. This suggests that the same residues that are important for catalysis are also essential for inducing domain closure.

Evidence for an induced conformational change in the catalytic mechanism of homoisocitrate dehydrogenase for Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Characterization of the D271N mutant enzyme

Homoisocitrate dehydrogenase (HIcDH) catalyzes the NAD(+)-dependent oxidative decarboxylation of HIc to α-ketoadipate, the fourth step in the α-aminoadipate pathway responsible for the de novo synthesis of l-lysine in fungi. A mechanism has been proposed for the enzyme that makes use of a Lys-Tyr pair as acid-base catalysts, with Lys acting as a base to accept a proton from the α-hydroxyl of homoisocitrate, and Tyr acting as an acid to protonate the C3 of the enol of α-ketoadipate in the enolization reaction. Three conserved aspartate residues, D243, D267 and D271, coordinate Mg(2+), which is also coordinated to the α-carboxylate and α-hydroxyl of homoisocitrate. On the basis of kinetic isotope effects, it was proposed that a conformational change to close the active site and organize the active site for catalysis contributed to rate limitation of the overall reaction of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae HIcDH (Lin, Y., Volkman, J., Nicholas, K. M., Yamamoto, T., Eguchi, T., Nimmo, S. L., West, A. H., and Cook, P. F. (2008) Biochemistry47, 4169-4180.). In order to test this hypothesis, site-directed mutagenesis was used to change D271, a metal ion ligand and binding determinant for MgHIc, to N. The mutant enzyme was characterized using initial rate studies. A decrease of 520-fold was observed in V and V/KMgHIc, suggesting the same step(s) limit the reaction at limiting and saturating MgHIc concentrations. Solvent kinetic deuterium isotope effects (SKIE) and viscosity effects are consistent with a rate-limiting pre-catalytic conformational change at saturating reactant concentrations. In addition, at limiting MgHIc, an inverse (SKIE) of 0.7 coupled to a significant normal effect of viscosogen (2.1) indicates equilibrium binding of MgHIc prior to the rate-limiting conformational change. The maximum rate exhibits a small partial change at high pH suggesting a pH-dependent conformational change, while V/KMgHIc exhibits the same partial change observed in V, and a decrease at low pH with a pKa of 6 reflecting the requirement for the unprotonated form of MgHIc to bind to enzyme. However, neither parameter reflects the pH dependence of the chemical reaction. This pH independence of the chemical reaction over the range 5.5-9.5 is consistent with the much slower conformational change that would effectively perturb the observed pK values for catalytic groups to lower and higher pH. In other words, the pH dependence of the chemical reaction will only be observed when chemistry becomes slower than the rate of the conformational change. Data support the hypothesis of the existence of a pre-catalytic conformational change coupled to the binding of MgHIc.

The Hypothesis that the Genetic Code Originated in Coupled Synthesis of Proteins and the Evolutionary Predecessors of Nucleic Acids in Primitive Cells

Although analysis of the genetic code has allowed explanations for its evolution to be proposed, little evidence exists in biochemistry and molecular biology to offer an explanation for the origin of the genetic code. In particular, two features of biology make the origin of the genetic code difficult to understand. First, nucleic acids are highly complicated polymers requiring numerous enzymes for biosynthesis. Secondly, proteins have a simple backbone with a set of 20 different amino acid side chains synthesized by a highly complicated ribosomal process in which mRNA sequences are read in triplets. Apparently, both nucleic acid and protein syntheses have extensive evolutionary histories. Supporting these processes is a complex metabolism and at the hub of metabolism are the carboxylic acid cycles. This paper advances the hypothesis that the earliest predecessor of the nucleic acids was a β-linked polyester made from malic acid, a highly conserved metabolite in the carboxylic acid cycles. In the β-linked polyester, the side chains are carboxylic acid groups capable of forming interstrand double hydrogen bonds. Evolution of the nucleic acids involved changes to the backbone and side chain of poly(β-d-malic acid). Conversion of the side chain carboxylic acid into a carboxamide or a longer side chain bearing a carboxamide group, allowed information polymers to form amide pairs between polyester chains. Aminoacylation of the hydroxyl groups of malic acid and its derivatives with simple amino acids such as glycine and alanine allowed coupling of polyester synthesis and protein synthesis. Use of polypeptides containing glycine and l-alanine for activation of two different monomers with either glycine or l-alanine allowed simple coded autocatalytic synthesis of polyesters and polypeptides and established the first genetic code. A primitive cell capable of supporting electron transport, thioester synthesis, reduction reactions, and synthesis of polyesters and polypeptides is proposed. The cell consists of an iron-sulfide particle enclosed by tholin, a heterogeneous organic material that is produced by Miller-Urey type experiments that simulate conditions on the early Earth. As the synthesis of nucleic acids evolved from β-linked polyesters, the singlet coding system for replication evolved into a four nucleotide/four amino acid process (AMP = aspartic acid, GMP = glycine, UMP = valine, CMP = alanine) and then into the triplet ribosomal process that permitted multiple copies of protein to be synthesized independent of replication. This hypothesis reconciles the “genetics first” and “metabolism first” approaches to the origin of life and explains why there are four bases in the genetic alphabet.

Structural and energetic basis of isopropylmalate dehydrogenase enzyme catalysis

The three-dimensional structure of the enzyme 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase from the bacterium Thermus thermophilus in complex with Mn(2+) , its substrate isopropylmalate and its co-factor product NADH at 2.0 Å resolution features a fully closed conformation of the enzyme. Upon closure of the two domains, the substrate and the co-factor are brought into precise relative orientation and close proximity, with a distance between the C2 atom of the substrate and the C4N atom of the pyridine ring of the co-factor of approximately 3.0 Å. The structure further shows binding of a K(+) ion close to the active site, and provides an explanation for its known activating effect. Hence, this structure is an excellent mimic for the enzymatically competent complex. Using high-level QM/MM calculations, it may be demonstrated that, in the observed arrangement of the reactants, transfer of a hydride from the C2 atom of 3-isopropylmalate to the C4N atom of the pyridine ring of NAD(+) is easily possible, with an activation energy of approximately 15 kcal·mol(-1) . The activation energy increases by approximately 4-6 kcal·mol(-1) when the K(+) ion is omitted from the calculations. In the most plausible scenario, prior to hydride transfer the ε-amino group of Lys185 acts as a general base in the reaction, aiding the deprotonation reaction of 3-isopropylmalate prior to hydride transfer by employing a low-barrier proton shuttle mechanism involving a water molecule.

DATABASE

Structural data have been submitted to the Protein Data Bank under accession number 4F7I.

Crystal structure studies of NADP+ dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase from Thermus thermophilus exhibiting a novel terminal domain

NADP(+) dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) is an enzyme catalyzing oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate into oxalosuccinate (intermediate) and finally the product α-ketoglutarate. The crystal structure of Thermus thermophilus isocitrate dehydrogenase (TtIDH) ternary complex with citrate and cofactor NADP(+) was determined using X-ray diffraction method to a resolution of 1.80 Å. The overall fold of this protein was resolved into large domain, small domain and a clasp domain. The monomeric structure reveals a novel terminal domain involved in dimerization, very unique and novel domain when compared to other IDH's. And, small domain and clasp domain showing significant differences when compared to other IDH's of the same sub-family. The structure of TtIDH reveals the absence of helix at the clasp domain, which is mainly involved in oligomerization in other IDH's. Also, helices/beta sheets are absent in the small domain, when compared to other IDH's of the same sub family. The overall TtIDH structure exhibits closed conformation with catalytic triad residues, Tyr144-Asp248-Lys191 are conserved. Oligomerization of the protein is quantized using interface area and subunit-subunit interactions between protomers. Overall, the TtIDH structure with novel terminal domain may be categorized as a first structure of subfamily of type IV.

Evolution of a transition state: role of Lys100 in the active site of isocitrate dehydrogenase

An active site lysine essential to catalysis in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) is absent from related enzymes. As all family members catalyze the same oxidative β-decarboxylation at the (2R)-malate core common to their substrates, it seems odd that an amino acid essential to one is not found in all. Ordinarily, hydride transfer to a nicotinamide C4 neutralizes the positive charge at N1 directly. In IDH, the negatively charged C4-carboxylate of isocitrate stabilizes the ground state positive charge on the adjacent nicotinamide N1, opposing hydride transfer. The critical lysine is poised to stabilize-and perhaps even protonate-an oxyanion formed on the nicotinamide 3-carboxamide, thereby enabling the hydride to be transferred while the positive charge at N1 is maintained. IDH might catalyze the same overall reaction as other family members, but dehydrogenation proceeds through a distinct, though related, transition state. Partial activation of lysine mutants by K(+) and NH4 (+) represents a throwback to the primordial state of the first promiscuous substrate family member.

Complex formation between malate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis is regulated by tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites

In Bacillus subtilis, recent in vivo studies revealed that particular enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle form complexes that allow an efficient transfer of metabolites. Remarkably, a complex of the malate dehydrogenase (Mdh) (EC 1.1.1.37) with isocitrate dehydrogenase (Icd) (EC 1.1.1.42) was identified, although both enzymes do not catalyze subsequent reactions. In the present study, the interactions between these enzymes were characterized in vitro by surface plasmon resonance in the absence and presence of their substrates and cofactors. These analyses revealed a weak but specific interaction between Mdh and Icd, which was specifically stimulated by a mixture of substrates and cofactors of Icd: isocitrate, NADP(+) and Mg(2+). Wild-type Icd converted these substrates too fast, preventing any valid quantitative analysis of the interaction with Mdh. Therefore, binding of the IcdS104P mutant to Mdh was quantified because the mutation reduced the enzymatic activity by 174-fold but did not affect the stimulatory effect of substrates and cofactors on Icd-Mdh complex formation. The analysis of the unstimulated Mdh-IcdS104P interaction revealed kinetic constants of k(a) = 2.0 ± 0.2 × 10(2) m(-1) ·s(-1) and k(d) = 1.0 ± 0.1 × 10(-3) ·s(-1) and a K(D) value of 5.0 ± 0.1 μm. Addition of isocitrate, NADP(+) and Mg(2+) stimulated the affinity of IcdS104P to Mdh by 33-fold (K(D) = 0.15 ± 0.01 μm, k(a) = 1.7 ± 0.7 × 10(3) m(-1) ·s(-1), k(d) = 2.6 ± 0.6 × 10(-4) ·s(-1)). Analyses of the enzymatic activities of wild-type Icd and Mdh showed that Icd activity doubles in the presence of Mdh, whereas Mdh activity was slightly reduced by Icd. In summary, these data indicate substrate control of complex formation in the tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolon assembly and maintenance of the α-ketoglutarate supply for amino acid anabolism in vivo.

Bacterial toxin RelE: a highly efficient ribonuclease with exquisite substrate specificity using atypical catalytic residues

The toxin RelE is a ribosome-dependent endoribonuclease implicated in diverse cellular processes, including persistence. During amino acid starvation, RelE inhibits translation by cleaving ribosomal A-site mRNA. Although RelE is structurally similar to other microbial endoribonucleases, the active-site amino acid composition differs substantially and lacks obvious candidates for general acid-base functionality. Highly conserved RelE residues (Lys52, Lys54, Arg61, Arg81, and Tyr87) surround the mRNA scissile phosphate, and specific 16S rRNA contacts further contribute to substrate positioning. We used a single-turnover kinetic assay to evaluate the catalytic importance of individual residues in the RelE active site. Within the context of the ribosome, RelE rapidly cleaves A-site mRNA at a rate similar to those of traditional ribonucleases. Single-turnover rate constants decreased between 10(2)- and 10(6)-fold for the RelE active-site mutants of Lys52, Lys54, Arg61, and Arg81. RelE may principally promote catalysis via transition-state charge stabilization and leaving-group protonation, in addition to achieving in-line substrate positioning in cooperation with the ribosome. This kinetic analysis complements structural information to provide a foundation for understanding the molecular mechanism of this atypical endoribonuclease.

Mutant IDH1 enhances the production of 2-hydroxyglutarate due to its kinetic mechanism

The human, cytosolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) reversibly converts isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate (αKG). Cancer-associated somatic mutations in IDH1 result in a loss of this normal function but a gain in a new or neomorphic ability to convert αKG to the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG). To improve our understanding of the basis for this phenomenon, we have conducted a detailed kinetic study of wild-type IDH1 as well as the known 2HG-producing clinical R132H and G97D mutants and mechanistic Y139D and (newly described) G97N mutants. In the reductive direction of the normal reaction (αKG to isocitrate), dead-end inhibition studies suggest that wild-type IDH1 goes through a random sequential mechanism, similar to previous reports on related mammalian IDH enzymes. However, analogous experiments studying the reductive neomorphic reaction (αKG to 2HG) with the mutant forms of IDH1 are more consistent with an ordered sequential mechanism, with NADPH binding before αKG. This result was further confirmed by primary kinetic isotope effects for which saturating with αKG greatly reduced the observed isotope effect on (D)(V/K)NADPH. For the mutant IDH1 enzyme, the change in mechanism was consistently associated with reduced efficiencies in the use of αKG as a substrate and enhanced efficiencies using NADPH as a substrate. We propose that the sum of these kinetic changes allows the mutant IDH1 enzymes to reductively trap αKG directly into 2HG, rather than allowing it to react with carbon dioxide and form isocitrate, as occurs in the wild-type enzyme.

Structural, kinetic and chemical mechanism of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the leading cause of death due to a bacterial infection. The success of the Mtb pathogen has largely been attributed to the nonreplicating, persistence phase of the life cycle, for which the glyoxylate shunt is required. In Escherichia coli, flux through the shunt is controlled by regulation of isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH). In Mtb, the mechanism of regulation is unknown, and currently, there is no mechanistic or structural information about ICDH. We optimized expression and purification to a yield sufficiently high to perform the first detailed kinetic and structural studies of Mtb ICDH-1. A large solvent kinetic isotope effect [(D2O)V = 3.0 ± 0.2, and (D2O)(V/Kisocitrate) = 1.5 ± 0.3] and a smaller primary kinetic isotope effect [(D)V = 1.3 ± 0.1, and (D)(V/K[2R-(2)H]isocitrate) = 1.5 ± 0.2] allowed us to perform the first multiple kinetic isotope effect studies on any ICDH and suggest a chemical mechanism. In this mechanism, protonation of the enolate to form product α-ketoglutarate is the rate-limiting step. We report the first structure of Mtb ICDH-1 to 2.18 Å by X-ray crystallography with NADPH and Mn(2+) bound. It is a homodimer in which each subunit has a Rossmann fold, and a common top domain of interlocking β sheets. Mtb ICDH-1 is most structurally similar to the R132H mutant human ICDH found in glioblastomas. Similar to human R132H ICDH, Mtb ICDH-1 also catalyzes the formation of α-hydroxyglutarate. Our data suggest that regulation of Mtb ICDH-1 is novel.

Enzyme redesign guided by cancer-derived IDH1 mutations

Mutations in an enzyme can result in a neomorphic catalytic activity in cancers. We applied cancer-associated mutations from isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDHs) to homologous residues in the active sites of homoisocitrate dehydrogenases (HIDHs) to derive enzymes that catalyze the conversion of 2-oxoadipate to (R)-2-hydroxyadipate, a critical step for adipic acid production. Thus, we provide a prototypic example of how insights from cancer genome sequencing and functional studies can aid in enzyme redesign.

Induced fit and the catalytic mechanism of isocitrate dehydrogenase

NADP(+) dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH; EC 1.1.1.42) belongs to a large family of α-hydroxyacid oxidative β-decarboxylases that catalyze similar three-step reactions, with dehydrogenation to an oxaloacid intermediate preceding β-decarboxylation to an enol intermediate followed by tautomerization to the final α-ketone product. A comprehensive view of the induced fit needed for catalysis is revealed on comparing the first "fully closed" crystal structures of a pseudo-Michaelis complex of wild-type Escherichia coli IDH (EcoIDH) and the "fully closed" reaction product complex of the K100M mutant with previously obtained "quasi-closed" and "open" conformations. Conserved catalytic residues, binding the nicotinamide ring of NADP(+) and the metal-bound substrate, move as rigid bodies during domain closure by a hinge motion that spans the central β-sheet in each monomer. Interactions established between Thr105 and Ser113, which flank the "phosphorylation loop", and the nicotinamide mononucleotide moiety of NADP(+) establish productive coenzyme binding. Electrostatic interactions of a Lys100-Leu103-Asn115-Glu336 tetrad play a pivotal role in assembling a catalytically competent active site. As predicted, Lys230* is positioned to deprotonate/reprotonate the α-hydroxyl in both reaction steps and Tyr160 moves into position to protonate C3 following β-decarboxylation. A proton relay from the catalytic triad Tyr160-Asp307-Lys230* connects the α-hydroxyl of isocitrate to the bulk solvent to complete the picture of the catalytic mechanism.

The complex structures of isocitrate dehydrogenase from Clostridium thermocellum and Desulfotalea psychrophila suggest a new active site locking mechanism

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) catalyzes the oxidative NAD(P)⁺-dependent decarboxylation of isocitrate into α-ketoglutarate and CO₂ and is present in organisms spanning the biological range of temperature. We have solved two crystal structures of the thermophilic Clostridium thermocellum IDH (CtIDH), a native open apo CtIDH to 2.35 Å and a quaternary complex of CtIDH with NADP⁺, isocitrate and Mg²⁺ to 2.5 Å. To compare to these a quaternary complex structure of the psychrophilic Desulfotalea psychrophila IDH (DpIDH) was also resolved to 1.93 Å. CtIDH and DpIDH showed similar global thermal stabilities with melting temperatures of 67.9 and 66.9 °C, respectively. CtIDH represents a typical thermophilic enzyme, with a large number of ionic interactions and hydrogen bonds per residue combined with stabilization of the N and C termini. CtIDH had a higher activity temperature optimum, and showed greater affinity for the substrates with an active site that was less thermolabile compared to DpIDH. The uncompensated negative surface charge and the enlarged methionine cluster in the hinge region both of which are important for cold activity in DpIDH, were absent in CtIDH. These structural comparisons revealed that prokaryotic IDHs in subfamily II have a unique locking mechanism involving Arg310, Asp251′ and Arg255 (CtIDH). These interactions lock the large domain to the small domain and direct NADP⁺ into the correct orientation, which together are important for NADP⁺ selectivity.

Crystal structure of homoisocitrate dehydrogenase from Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Homoisocitrate dehydrogenase (HICDH) catalyzes the conversion of homoisocitrate to 2-oxoadipate, the third enzymatic step in the α-aminoadipate pathway by which lysine is synthesized in fungi and certain archaebacteria. This enzyme represents a potential target for anti-fungal drug design. Here, we describe the first crystal structures of a fungal HICDH, including structures of an apoenzyme and a binary complex with a glycine tri-peptide. The structures illustrate the homology of HICDH with other β-hydroxyacid oxidative decarboxylases and reveal key differences with the active site of Thermus thermophilus HICDH that provide insights into the differences in substrate specificity of these enzymes.

Structural and functional evolution of isopropylmalate dehydrogenases in the leucine and glucosinolate pathways of Arabidopsis thaliana

The methionine chain-elongation pathway is required for aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis in plants and evolved from leucine biosynthesis. In Arabidopsis thaliana, three 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenases (AtIPMDHs) play key roles in methionine chain-elongation for the synthesis of aliphatic glucosinolates (e.g. AtIPMDH1) and leucine (e.g. AtIPMDH2 and AtIPMDH3). Here we elucidate the molecular basis underlying the metabolic specialization of these enzymes. The 2.25 Å resolution crystal structure of AtIPMDH2 was solved to provide the first detailed molecular architecture of a plant IPMDH. Modeling of 3-isopropylmalate binding in the AtIPMDH2 active site and sequence comparisons of prokaryotic and eukaryotic IPMDH suggest that substitution of one active site residue may lead to altered substrate specificity and metabolic function. Site-directed mutagenesis of Phe-137 to a leucine in AtIPMDH1 (AtIPMDH1-F137L) reduced activity toward 3-(2'-methylthio)ethylmalate by 200-fold, but enhanced catalytic efficiency with 3-isopropylmalate to levels observed with AtIPMDH2 and AtIPMDH3. Conversely, the AtIPMDH2-L134F and AtIPMDH3-L133F mutants enhanced catalytic efficiency with 3-(2'-methylthio)ethylmalate ∼100-fold and reduced activity for 3-isopropylmalate. Furthermore, the altered in vivo glucosinolate profile of an Arabidopsis ipmdh1 T-DNA knock-out mutant could be restored to wild-type levels by constructs expressing AtIPMDH1, AtIPMDH2-L134F, or AtIPMDH3-L133F, but not by AtIPMDH1-F137L. These results indicate that a single amino acid substitution results in functional divergence of IPMDH in planta to affect substrate specificity and contributes to the evolution of specialized glucosinolate biosynthesis from the ancestral leucine pathway.

A divalent metal-dependent self-cleaving DNAzyme with a tyrosine side chain

The enzymatic incorporation of a phenol-modified 2'-deoxyuridine triphosphate gave rise to a modified DNA library that was subsequently used in an in vitro selection for ribophosphodiester-cleaving DNAzymes in the presence of divalent zinc and magnesium cations. After 11 rounds of selection, cloning and sequencing resulted in 14 distinct sequences, the most active of which was Dz11-17PheO. Dz11-17PheO self-cleaved an embedded ribocytidine with an observed rate constant of 0.20 ± 0.02 min(-1) in the presence of 10 mM Mg(2+) and 1 mM Zn(2+) at room temperature. The activity was inhibited at low concentrations of Hg(2+) cations and somewhat higher concentrations of Eu(3+) cations.

Structural characterization of tartrate dehydrogenase: a versatile enzyme catalyzing multiple reactions

The first structure of an NAD-dependent tartrate dehydrogenase (TDH) has been solved to 2 A resolution by single anomalous diffraction (SAD) phasing as a complex with the intermediate analog oxalate, Mg(2+) and NADH. This TDH structure from Pseudomonas putida has a similar overall fold and domain organization to other structurally characterized members of the hydroxy-acid dehydrogenase family. However, there are considerable differences between TDH and these functionally related enzymes in the regions connecting the core secondary structure and in the relative positioning of important loops and helices. The active site in these complexes is highly ordered, allowing the identification of the substrate-binding and cofactor-binding groups and the ligands to the metal ions. Residues from the adjacent subunit are involved in both the substrate and divalent metal ion binding sites, establishing a dimer as the functional unit and providing structural support for an alternating-site reaction mechanism. The divalent metal ion plays a prominent role in substrate binding and orientation, together with several active-site arginines. Functional groups from both subunits form the cofactor-binding site and the ammonium ion aids in the orientation of the nicotinamide ring of the cofactor. A lysyl amino group (Lys192) is the base responsible for the water-mediated proton abstraction from the C2 hydroxyl group of the substrate that begins the catalytic reaction, followed by hydride transfer to NAD. A tyrosyl hydroxyl group (Tyr141) functions as a general acid to protonate the enolate intermediate. Each substrate undergoes the initial hydride transfer, but differences in substrate orientation are proposed to account for the different reactions catalyzed by TDH.

Cancer-associated IDH1 mutations produce 2-hydroxyglutarate

Mutations in the enzyme cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) are a common feature of a major subset of primary human brain cancers. These mutations occur at a single amino acid residue of the IDH1 active site, resulting in loss of the enzyme's ability to catalyse conversion of isocitrate to alpha-ketoglutarate. However, only a single copy of the gene is mutated in tumours, raising the possibility that the mutations do not result in a simple loss of function. Here we show that cancer-associated IDH1 mutations result in a new ability of the enzyme to catalyse the NADPH-dependent reduction of alpha-ketoglutarate to R(-)-2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG). Structural studies demonstrate that when arginine 132 is mutated to histidine, residues in the active site are shifted to produce structural changes consistent with reduced oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate and acquisition of the ability to convert alpha-ketoglutarate to 2HG. Excess accumulation of 2HG has been shown to lead to an elevated risk of malignant brain tumours in patients with inborn errors of 2HG metabolism. Similarly, in human malignant gliomas harbouring IDH1 mutations, we find markedly elevated levels of 2HG. These data demonstrate that the IDH1 mutations result in production of the onco-metabolite 2HG, and indicate that the excess 2HG which accumulates in vivo contributes to the formation and malignant progression of gliomas.

Site-directed mutagenesis as a probe of the acid-base catalytic mechanism of homoisocitrate dehydrogenase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Homoisocitrate dehydrogenase (HIcDH) catalyzes the Mg2+- and K+-dependent oxidative decarboxylation of homoisocitrate to alpha-ketoadipate using NAD as the oxidant. A recent consideration of the structures of enzymes in the same family as HIcDH, including isopropylmalate and isocitrate dehydrogenases, suggests all of the family members utilize a Lys-Tyr pair to catalyze the acid-base chemistry of the reaction [Aktas, D. F., and Cook, P. F. (2009) Biochemistry 48, 3565-3577]. Multiple-sequence alignment indicates the active site Lys-Tyr pair consists of lysine 206 and tyrosine 150. Therefore, the K206M and Y150F mutants of HIcDH were prepared and characterized to test the potential roles of these residues as acid-base catalysts. The V/Et values of the K206M and Y150F mutant enzymes at pH 7.5 are decreased by approximately 2400- and approximately 680-fold, respectively, compared to that of wild-type HIcDH; the K(m) for HIc does not change significantly. V/Et and V/K(MgHIc)Et for the K206M mutant enzyme are pH-independent below pH 6 and decrease to a constant value above pH 7, while V/K(NAD)Et is independent over the pH range from 6.2 to 9.5. In the case of the Y150F mutant enzyme, V/Et and V/K(NAD)Et are pH-independent above pH 9.5 and decrease to a constant value below pH 8. This behavior can be compared to that of the wild-type enzyme, where V/Et decreases at high and low pH, giving pKa values of approximately 6.5 and approximately 9.5, respectively. Data were interpreted in terms of a group with a pKa of 6.5 that acts as a general base in the hydride transfer step and a group with a pKa of 9.5 that acts as a general acid to protonate C3 in the tautomerization reaction [Lin, Y., Volkman, J., Nicholas, K. M., Yamamoto, T., Eguchi, T., Nimmo, S. L., West, A. H., and Cook, P. F. (2008) Biochemistry 47, 4169-4180]. Solvent deuterium isotope effects on V and V/K(MgHIc) were near unity for the K206M mutant enzyme but approximately 2.2 for the Y150F mutant enzyme. The dramatic decreases in activity, the measured solvent deuterium isotope effects, and changes in the pH dependence of kinetic parameters compared to that of the wild type are consistent with K206 acting as a general base in the hydride transfer step of the wild-type enzyme but as a general acid in the Y150F mutant enzyme, replacing Y150 in the tautomerization reaction. In addition, Y150 acts as a general acid in the tautomerization reaction of the wild-type enzyme and replaces K206 as the general base in the hydride transfer step of the K206M mutant enzyme.