1
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Ibrahim KA, El-Ashrey MK, Kashef MT, Helmy OM. Alanine racemase a promising Helicobacter pylori drug target inhibited by propanoic acid. Microbes Infect 2023; 25:105167. [PMID: 37271368 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Eradication of Helicobacter pylori, the class 1 carcinogen, faces several obstacles, which demand alternative options to conventional drug development methods. Alanine racemase (Alr) was proposed as H. pylori drug target, inhibited by propanoic acid (PA), in a previous in silico study. We investigated the possible treatment of H. pylori infection through Alr inhibition. A new model of H. pylori Alr was built, validated, and the binding of PA to the active site was modelled via molecular docking with a good docking score. PA minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against H. pylori ATCC 43504 and six H. pylori clinical isolates ranged from 312.5 to 416.7 ± 180 μg/ml and remained unchanged after 14 serial passages in increasing PA concentrations. The minimum bactericidal concentration of PA was 625 μg/ml. Selective Alr inhibition was confirmed by a significant PA MIC increase with increasing d-alanine concentrations. Similar PA MIC in other tested pathogens was recorded (312.5-625 μg/ml). PA lacked cytotoxicity in tested cell lines and efficiently eradicated H. pylori in a rat infection model. In conclusion, Alr is a promising broad-spectrum drug target, inhibited by PA without resistance development by repeated exposure for 14 serial passages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kareem A Ibrahim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Suez Road, Cairo, 11829, Egypt
| | - Mohamed K El-Ashrey
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr Elini St., Cairo, 11562, Egypt; Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Salman International University, Ras-Sedr, South Sinai, Egypt
| | - Mona T Kashef
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
| | - Omneya M Helmy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
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2
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Kanauchi M, Matsumoto N. Characteristics of alanine racemase in Lactobacillus sakeiZH-2 strain. Food Sci Nutr 2023; 11:4745-4755. [PMID: 37576047 PMCID: PMC10420772 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Some d-amino acid functions for food production are widely known: d-alanine improves sensory evaluations of sake, beer, and fermented foods. Therefore, for the application of d-amino acids, alanine racemase (ALRase) in Lactobacillus sakei ZH-2, which has strong racemization, was analyzed using molecular biological methods. It had been hypothesized that ALRase coding DNA, alr, in ZH-2 strain differs from those of other Lactobacillus sakei strains. However, complete genome sequencing by the National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI) revealed the amino acid sequence of alr in ZH-2 strain to have homology of 99.4% similarity with the alr in Lactobacillus sakei 23K strain. However, it is considered that the sequence of alr was a unique amino acid sequence in the lactic acid bacteria group. DNA "alr" of ZH-2 strain has a 1140 bp DNA base with 41 kDa molecular mass. Its molecular mass was inferred as approximately 38.0 kDa using SDS-PAGE. Its optimum conditions are pH 9.0 at 30-40°C, showing stability at pH 9.0-10.0 and 4-40°C. Its cofactor is pyridoxal phosphate. Its activity is activated more by copper and zinc ions than by the lack of a metal ion. Additionally, its K m is 1.32 × 10-3 (mol), with V max of 4.27 × 10-5 (μmol-1 min-1). ALRase reacted against alanine most strongly in other substrates such as amino acids. The enzyme against serine was found to have 40% activity against alanine. The enzyme converted up to 54.5% of d-alanine from l-alanine ZH-2 strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Kanauchi
- School of Food, Agricultural and Environmental SciencesMiyagi UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Natsuki Matsumoto
- School of Food, Agricultural and Environmental SciencesMiyagi UniversitySendaiJapan
- Toasu Co., Ltd.ToyokawaJapan
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3
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Harshaw NS, Meyer MD, Stella NA, Lehner KM, Kowalski RP, Shanks RMQ. The Short-chain Fatty Acid Propionic Acid Activates the Rcs Stress Response System Partially through Inhibition of d-Alanine Racemase. mSphere 2023; 8:e0043922. [PMID: 36645277 PMCID: PMC9942566 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00439-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The Enterobacterial Rcs stress response system reacts to envelope stresses through a complex two-component phosphorelay system to regulate a variety of environmental response genes, such as capsular polysaccharide and flagella biosynthesis genes. However, beyond Escherichia coli, the stresses that activate Rcs are not well-understood. In this study, we used a Rcs system-dependent luminescent transcriptional reporter to screen a library of over 240 antimicrobial compounds for those that activated the Rcs system in Serratia marcescens, a Yersiniaceae family bacterium. Using an isogenic rcsB mutant to establish specificity, both new and expected activators were identified, including the short-chain fatty acid propionic acid, which is found at millimolar levels in the human gut. Propionic acid did not reduce the bacterial intracellular pH, as was hypothesized for its antibacterial mechanism. Instead, data suggest that the Rcs-activation by propionic acid is due, in part, to an inactivation of alanine racemase. This enzyme is responsible for the biosynthesis of d-alanine, which is an amino-acid that is required for the generation of bacterial cell walls. Consistent with what was observed in S. marcescens, in E. coli, alanine racemase mutants demonstrated elevated expression of the Rcs-reporter in a d-alanine-dependent and RcsB-dependent manner. These results suggest that host gut short-chain fatty acids can influence bacterial behavior via the activation of the Rcs stress response system. IMPORTANCE The Rcs bacterial stress response system responds to envelope stresses by globally altering gene expression to profoundly impact host-pathogen interactions, virulence, and antibiotic tolerance. In this study, a luminescent Rcs-reporter plasmid was used to screen a library of compounds for activators of Rcs. Among the strongest inducers was the short-chain fatty acid propionic acid, which is found at high concentrations in the human gut. This study suggests that gut short-chain fatty acids can affect both bacterial virulence and antibiotic tolerance via the induction of the Rcs system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel S. Harshaw
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mitchell D. Meyer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Stella
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kara M. Lehner
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Regis P. Kowalski
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert M. Q. Shanks
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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4
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Blake LI, Cann MJ. Carbon Dioxide and the Carbamate Post-Translational Modification. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:825706. [PMID: 35300111 PMCID: PMC8920986 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.825706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon dioxide is essential for life. It is at the beginning of every life process as a substrate of photosynthesis. It is at the end of every life process as the product of post-mortem decay. Therefore, it is not surprising that this gas regulates such diverse processes as cellular chemical reactions, transport, maintenance of the cellular environment, and behaviour. Carbon dioxide is a strategically important research target relevant to crop responses to environmental change, insect vector-borne disease and public health. However, we know little of carbon dioxide’s direct interactions with the cell. The carbamate post-translational modification, mediated by the nucleophilic attack by carbon dioxide on N-terminal α-amino groups or the lysine ɛ-amino groups, is one mechanism by which carbon dioxide might alter protein function to form part of a sensing and signalling mechanism. We detail known protein carbamates, including the history of their discovery. Further, we describe recent studies on new techniques to isolate this problematic post-translational modification.
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5
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Saha M, Hossain MS, Bandyopadhyay S. A Photoregulated Racemase Mimic. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:5220-5224. [PMID: 33180335 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202012124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The racemase enzymes convert L-amino acids to their D-isomer. The reaction proceeds through a stepwise deprotonation-reprotonation mechanism that is assisted by a pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) coenzyme. This work reports a PLP-photoswitch-imidazole triad where the racemization reaction can be controlled by light by tweaking the distance between the basic residue and the reaction centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monochura Saha
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, 741246, India
| | - Munshi Sahid Hossain
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, 741246, India
| | - Subhajit Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, 741246, India
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6
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Affiliation(s)
- Monochura Saha
- Department of Chemical Sciences Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata Mohanpur, Nadia West Bengal 741246 India
| | - Munshi Sahid Hossain
- Department of Chemical Sciences Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata Mohanpur, Nadia West Bengal 741246 India
| | - Subhajit Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Chemical Sciences Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata Mohanpur, Nadia West Bengal 741246 India
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Linthwaite VL, Cann MJ. A methodology for carbamate post-translational modification discovery and its application in Escherichia coli. Interface Focus 2021; 11:20200028. [PMID: 33633830 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2020.0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon dioxide can influence cell phenotypes through the modulation of signalling pathways. CO2 regulates cellular processes as diverse as metabolism, cellular homeostasis, chemosensing and pathogenesis. This diversity of regulated processes suggests a broadly conserved mechanism for CO2 interactions with diverse cellular targets. CO2 is generally unreactive but can interact with neutral amines on protein under normal intracellular conditions to form a carbamate post-translational modification (PTM). We have previously demonstrated the presence of this PTM in a subset of protein produced by the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we describe a detailed methodology for identifying new carbamate PTMs in an extracted soluble proteome under biologically relevant conditions. We apply this methodology to the soluble proteome of the model prokaryote Escherichia coli and identify new carbamate PTMs. The application of this methodology, therefore, supports the hypothesis that the carbamate PTM is both more widespread in biology than previously suspected and may represent a broadly relevant mechanism for CO2-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin J Cann
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
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8
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Kobayashi J. d-Amino Acids and Lactic Acid Bacteria. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7120690. [PMID: 31842512 PMCID: PMC6955911 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7120690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins are composed of l-amino acids except for glycine, which bears no asymmetric carbon atom. Accordingly, researchers have studied the function and metabolism of l-amino acids in living organisms but have paid less attention to the presence and roles of their d-enantiomers. However, with the recent developments in analytical techniques, the presence of various d-amino acids in the cells of various organisms and the importance of their roles have been revealed. For example, d-serine (d-Ser) and d-aspartate (d-Asp) act as neurotransmitters and hormone-like substances, respectively, in humans, whereas some kinds of d-amino acids act as a biofilm disassembly factor in bacteria. Interestingly, lactic acid bacteria produce various kinds of d-amino acids during fermentation, and many d-amino acids taste sweet, compared with the corresponding l-enantiomers. The influence of d-amino acids on human health and beauty has been reported in recent years. These facts suggest that the d-amino acids produced by lactic acid bacteria are important in terms of the taste and function of lactic-acid-fermented foods. Against this background, unique d-amino-acid-metabolizing enzymes have been searched for and observed in lactic acid bacteria. This review summarizes and introduces the importance of various d-amino acids in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyumpei Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodaicho, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
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9
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Dong H, Han Q, Guo Y, Ju J, Wang S, Yuan C, Long W, He X, Xu S, Li S. Enzymatic characterization and crystal structure of biosynthetic alanine racemase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:2319-2325. [PMID: 29964014 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.06.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Alanine racemase is a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that reversibly catalyzes the conversion of l-alanine to d-alanine. d-alanine is an essential constituent in many prokaryotic cell structures. Inhibition of alanine racemase is lethal to prokaryotes, creating an attractive target for designing antibacterial drugs. Here we report the crystal structure of biosynthetic alanine racemase (Alr) from a pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Structural studies showed that P. aeruginosa Alr (PaAlr) adopts a conserved homodimer structure. A guest substrate d-lysine was observed in the active site and refined to dual-conformation. Two buffer ions, malonate and acetate, were bound in the proximity to d-lysine. Biochemical characterization revealed the optimal reaction conditions for PaAlr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Tianjin Radiation and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Qingqing Han
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Jiansong Ju
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Chao Yuan
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Wei Long
- Key Laboratory of Tianjin Radiation and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Xin He
- Key Laboratory of Tianjin Radiation and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Shujing Xu
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Sheng Li
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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10
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The identification of carbon dioxide mediated protein post-translational modifications. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3092. [PMID: 30082797 PMCID: PMC6078960 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05475-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon dioxide is vital to the chemistry of life processes including metabolism, cellular homoeostasis, and pathogenesis. CO2 is generally unreactive but can combine with neutral amines to form carbamates on proteins under physiological conditions. The most widely known examples of this are CO2 regulation of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and haemoglobin. However, the systematic identification of CO2-binding sites on proteins formed through carbamylation has not been possible due to the ready reversibility of carbamate formation. Here we demonstrate a methodology to identify protein carbamates using triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate to covalently trap CO2, allowing for downstream proteomic analysis. This report describes the systematic identification of carbamates in a physiologically relevant environment. We demonstrate the identification of carbamylated proteins and the general principle that CO2 can impact protein biochemistry through carbamate formation. The ability to identify protein carbamates will significantly advance our understanding of cellular CO2 interactions. Carbon dioxide can interact with proteins to form carbamate post-translational modifications. Here, the authors developed a strategy to identify carbamate post-translational modifications by trapping carbon dioxide and subsequently identifying the carbamylated proteins.
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11
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Ray S, Das S, Panda PK, Suar M. Identification of a new alanine racemase in Salmonella Enteritidis and its contribution to pathogenesis. Gut Pathog 2018; 10:30. [PMID: 30008809 PMCID: PMC6040060 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-018-0257-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections caused primarily by S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium particularly in immunocompromised hosts have accounted for a large percentage of fatalities in developed nations. Antibiotics have revolutionized the cure of enteric infections but have also led to the rapid emergence of pathogen resistance. New powerful therapeutics involving metabolic enzymes are expected to be potential targets for combating microbial infections and ensuring effective health management. Therefore, the need for new antimicrobials to fight such health emergencies is paramount. Enteric bacteria successfully evade the gut and colonize their hosts through specialized virulence strategies. An important player, alanine racemase is a key enzyme facilitating bacterial survival. RESULTS This study aims at understanding the contribution of alanine racemase genes alr, dadX and SEN3897 to Salmonella survival in vitro and in vivo. We have shown SEN3897 to function as a unique alanine racemase in S. Enteritidis which displayed essential alanine racemase activity. Interestingly, the sole presence of this gene in alr dadX double mutant showed a strict dependence on d-alanine supplementation both in vitro and in vivo. However, Alr complementation in d-alanine auxotrophic strain restored the alanine racemase deficiency. The Km and Vmax of SEN3897 was 89.15 ± 10.2 mM, 400 ± 25.6 µmol/(min mg) for l-alanine and 35 ± 6 mM, 132.5 ± 11.3 µmol/(min mg) for d-alanine, respectively. In vitro assays for invasion and survival as well as in vivo virulence assays involving SEN3897 mutant showed attenuated phenotypes. Further, this study also showed attenuation of d-alanine auxotrophic strain in vivo for the development of potential targets against Salmonella that can be investigated further. CONCLUSION This study identified a third alanine racemase gene unique in S. Enteritidis which had a potential effect on survival and pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Our results also confirmed that SEN3897 by itself wasn't able to rescue d-alanine auxotrophy in S. Enteritidis which further contributed to its virulence properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Ray
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha India
| | - Susmita Das
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha India
| | | | - Mrutyunjay Suar
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha India
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12
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Lohans CT, Wang DY, Jorgensen C, Cahill ST, Clifton IJ, McDonough MA, Oswin HP, Spencer J, Domene C, Claridge TDW, Brem J, Schofield CJ. 13C-Carbamylation as a mechanistic probe for the inhibition of class D β-lactamases by avibactam and halide ions. Org Biomol Chem 2018; 15:6024-6032. [PMID: 28678295 DOI: 10.1039/c7ob01514c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The class D (OXA) serine β-lactamases are a major cause of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. The class D enzymes are unique amongst β-lactamases because they have a carbamylated lysine that acts as a general acid/base in catalysis. Previous crystallographic studies led to the proposal that β-lactamase inhibitor avibactam targets OXA enzymes in part by promoting decarbamylation. Similarly, halide ions are proposed to inhibit OXA enzymes via decarbamylation. NMR analyses, in which the carbamylated lysines of OXA-10, -23 and -48 were 13C-labelled, indicate that reaction with avibactam does not ablate lysine carbamylation in solution. While halide ions did not decarbamylate the 13C-labelled OXA enzymes in the absence of substrate or inhibitor, avibactam-treated OXA enzymes were susceptible to decarbamylation mediated by halide ions, suggesting halide ions may inhibit OXA enzymes by promoting decarbamylation of acyl-enzyme complex. Crystal structures of the OXA-10 avibactam complex were obtained with bromide, iodide, and sodium ions bound between Trp-154 and Lys-70. Structures were also obtained wherein bromide and iodide ions occupy the position expected for the 'hydrolytic water' molecule. In contrast with some solution studies, Lys-70 was decarbamylated in these structures. These results reveal clear differences between crystallographic and solution studies on the interaction of class D β-lactamases with avibactam and halides, and demonstrate the utility of 13C-NMR for studying lysine carbamylation in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Y Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK.
| | | | - Samuel T Cahill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK.
| | - Ian J Clifton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK.
| | | | - Henry P Oswin
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - James Spencer
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Carmen Domene
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK. and Department of Chemistry, King's College London, London, SE1 1DB, UK
| | | | - Jürgen Brem
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK.
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13
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Structural and functional characterization of the alanine racemase from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 483:122-128. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.12.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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14
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Kobayashi J, Yukimoto J, Shimizu Y, Ohmori T, Suzuki H, Doi K, Ohshima T. Characterization of Lactobacillus salivarius alanine racemase: short-chain carboxylate-activation and the role of A131. SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:639. [PMID: 26543773 PMCID: PMC4628008 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1335-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Many strains of lactic acid bacteria produce high concentrations of d-amino acids. Among them, Lactobacillus salivarius UCC 118 produces d-alanine at a relative concentration much greater than 50 % of the total d, l-alanine (100d/d, l-alanine). We characterized the L. salivarius alanine racemase (ALR) likely responsible for this d-alanine production and found that the enzyme was activated by carboxylates, which is an unique characteristic among ALRs. In addition, alignment of the amino acid sequences of several ALRs revealed that A131 of L. salivarius ALR is likely involved in the activation. To confirm that finding, an L. salivarius ALR variant with an A131K (ALR(A131K)) substitution was prepared, and its properties were compared with those of ALR. The activity of ALR(A131K) was about three times greater than that of ALR. In addition, whereas L. salivarius ALR was strongly activated by low concentrations (e.g., 1 mM) of short chain carboxylates, and was inhibited at higher concentrations (e.g., 10 mM), ALR(A131K) was clearly inhibited at all carboxylate concentrations tested (1-40 mM). Acetate also increased the stability of ALR such that maximum activity was observed at 35 °C and pH 8.0 without acetate, but at 50 °C in the presence of 1 mM acetate. On the other hand, maximum ALR(A131K) activity was observed at 45 °C and around pH 9.0 with or without acetate. It thus appears that A131 mediates the activation and stabilization of L. salivarius ALR by short chain carboxylates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyumpei Kobayashi
- Microbial Genetics Division, Institute of Genetic Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan
| | - Jotaro Yukimoto
- Applied Molecular Microbiology and Biomass Chemistry Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Shimizu
- Microbial Genetics Division, Institute of Genetic Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan
| | - Taketo Ohmori
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, 5-16-1 Omiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka, 535-8585 Japan
| | - Hirokazu Suzuki
- Functional Genomics of Extremophiles, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan
| | - Katsumi Doi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, 5-16-1 Ohmiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka, 535-8585 Japan
| | - Toshihisa Ohshima
- Microbial Genetics Division, Institute of Genetic Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan ; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, 5-16-1 Ohmiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka, 535-8585 Japan
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15
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Sun X, He G, Wang X, Xu S, Ju J, Xu X. Crystal Structure of a Thermostable Alanine Racemase from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis MB4 Reveals the Role of Gln360 in Substrate Selection. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26218070 PMCID: PMC4517790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP) dependent alanine racemase catalyzes racemization of L-Ala to D-Ala, a key component of the peptidoglycan network in bacterial cell wall. It has been extensively studied as an important antimicrobial drug target due to its restriction in eukaryotes. However, many marketed alanine racemase inhibitors also act on eukaryotic PLP-dependent enzymes and cause side effects. A thermostable alanine racemase (AlrTt) from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis MB4 contains an evolutionarily non-conserved residue Gln360 in inner layer of the substrate entryway, which is supposed to be a key determinant in substrate specificity. Here we determined the crystal structure of AlrTt in complex with L-Ala at 2.7 Å resolution, and investigated the role of Gln360 by saturation mutagenesis and kinetic analysis. Compared to typical bacterial alanine racemase, presence of Gln360 and conformational changes of active site residues disrupted the hydrogen bonding interactions necessary for proper PLP immobilization, and decreased both the substrate affinity and turnover number of AlrTt. However, it could be complemented by introduction of hydrophobic amino acids at Gln360, through steric blocking and interactions with a hydrophobic patch near active site pocket. These observations explained the low racemase activity of AlrTt, revealed the essential role of Gln360 in substrate selection, and its preference for hydrophobic amino acids especially Tyr in bacterial alanine racemization. Our work will contribute new insights into the alanine racemization mechanism for antimicrobial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Sun
- Institute of Ageing Research, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guangzheng He
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Institute of Ageing Research, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shujing Xu
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jiansong Ju
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- * E-mail: (JSJ); (XLX)
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- Institute of Ageing Research, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (JSJ); (XLX)
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16
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Afzal Azam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Unni Jayaram
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, India
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17
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Davis E, Scaletti-Hutchinson E, Opel-Reading H, Nakatani Y, Krause KL. The structure of alanine racemase from Acinetobacter baumannii. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2014; 70:1199-205. [PMID: 25195891 PMCID: PMC4157418 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x14017725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacterium which is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections. Numerous antibiotic-resistant strains exist, emphasizing the need for the development of new antimicrobials. Alanine racemase (Alr) is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate dependent enzyme that is responsible for racemization between enantiomers of alanine. As D-alanine is an essential component of the bacterial cell wall, its inhibition is lethal to prokaryotes, making it an excellent antibiotic drug target. The crystal structure of A. baumannii alanine racemase (AlrAba) from the highly antibiotic-resistant NCTC13302 strain has been solved to 1.9 Å resolution. Comparison of AlrAba with alanine racemases from closely related bacteria demonstrates a conserved overall fold. The substrate entryway and active site of the enzymes were shown to be highly conserved. The structure of AlrAba will provide the template required for future structure-based drug-design studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Davis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Yoshio Nakatani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kurt L. Krause
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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18
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Asojo OA, Nelson SK, Mootien S, Lee Y, Rezende WC, Hyman DA, Matsumoto MM, Reiling S, Kelleher A, Ledizet M, Koski RA, Anthony KG. Structural and biochemical analyses of alanine racemase from the multidrug-resistant Clostridium difficile strain 630. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA. SECTION D, BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 2014; 70:1922-33. [PMID: 25004969 PMCID: PMC4089486 DOI: 10.1107/s1399004714009419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/26/2014] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile, a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium, is the leading cause of infectious diarrhea among hospitalized patients. C. difficile is frequently associated with antibiotic treatment, and causes diseases ranging from antibiotic-associated diarrhea to life-threatening pseudomembranous colitis. The severity of C. difficile infections is exacerbated by the emergence of hypervirulent and multidrug-resistant strains, which are difficult to treat and are often associated with increased mortality rates. Alanine racemase (Alr) is a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reversible racemization of L- and D-alanine. Since D-alanine is an essential component of the bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan, and there are no known Alr homologs in humans, this enzyme is being tested as an antibiotic target. Cycloserine is an antibiotic that inhibits Alr. In this study, the catalytic properties and crystal structures of recombinant Alr from the virulent and multidrug-resistant C. difficile strain 630 are presented. Three crystal structures of C. difficile Alr (CdAlr), corresponding to the complex with PLP, the complex with cycloserine and a K271T mutant form of the enzyme with bound PLP, are presented. The structures are prototypical Alr homodimers with two active sites in which the cofactor PLP and cycloserine are localized. Kinetic analyses reveal that the K271T mutant CdAlr has the highest catalytic constants reported to date for any Alr. Additional studies are needed to identify the basis for the high catalytic activity. The structural and activity data presented are first steps towards using CdAlr for the development of structure-based therapeutics for C. difficile infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwatoyin A. Asojo
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sarah K. Nelson
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sara Mootien
- L Diagnostics LLC, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Yashang Lee
- L Diagnostics LLC, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Wanderson C. Rezende
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Daniel A. Hyman
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Monica M. Matsumoto
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Scott Reiling
- Pathology and Microbiology Department, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
| | - Alan Kelleher
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michel Ledizet
- L Diagnostics LLC, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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19
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Hong W, Chen L, Xie J. Molecular basis underlying Mycobacterium tuberculosis D-cycloserine resistance. Is there a role for ubiquinone and menaquinone metabolic pathways? Expert Opin Ther Targets 2014; 18:691-701. [PMID: 24773568 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2014.902937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tuberculosis remains a formidable threat to global public health. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis presents increasing burden on the control strategy. D-Cycloserine (DCS) is an effective second-line drug against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), the causative agent of tuberculosis. Though less potent than isoniazid (INH) and streptomycin, DCS is crucial for antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis. One advantage of DCS is that less drug-resistant M. tuberculosis is reported in comparison with first-line antituberculosis drugs such as INH and rifampin. AREAS COVERED In this review, we summarise our current knowledge of DCS, and review the drug target and low-level resistance of DCS in M. tuberculosis. We summarise the metabolism of D-alanine (D-Ala) and peptidoglycan biosynthesis in bacteria. We first compared the amino acid similarity of Mycobacterium alanine racemase and D-Ala:D-alanine ligase and quite unexpectedly found that the two enzymes are highly conserved among Mycobacterium. EXPERT OPINION We summarise the drug targets of DCS and possible mechanisms underlying its low-level resistance for the first time. One significant finding is that ubiquinone and menaquinone metabolism-related genes are novel genes underlying DCS resistance in Escherichia coli and with homologues in M. tuberculosis. Further understanding of DCS targets and basis for its low-level resistance might inspire us to improve the use of DCS or find better drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiling Hong
- Southwest University, Institute of Modern Biopharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Eco-Enviroment and Bio-Resource of the Three Gorges Area, Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education , Beibei, Chongqing 400715 , China +86 23 68367 108 ; +86 23 68367 108 ;
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20
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Shoji M, Hanaoka K, Ujiie Y, Tanaka W, Kondo D, Umeda H, Kamoshida Y, Kayanuma M, Kamiya K, Shiraishi K, Machida Y, Murakawa T, Hayashi H. A QM/MM Study of the l-Threonine Formation Reaction of Threonine Synthase: Implications into the Mechanism of the Reaction Specificity. J Am Chem Soc 2014; 136:4525-33. [DOI: 10.1021/ja408780c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuo Shoji
- Center
for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
- Graduate
School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai
1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8571, Japan
| | - Kyohei Hanaoka
- Graduate
School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai
1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8571, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Ujiie
- Graduate
School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai
1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8571, Japan
| | - Wataru Tanaka
- Graduate
School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai
1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8571, Japan
| | - Daiki Kondo
- Graduate
School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai
1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8571, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Umeda
- Center
for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Kamoshida
- Information
Technology Center, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 2-11-16,
Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8658, Japan
| | - Megumi Kayanuma
- Graduate
School of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8573, Japan
| | - Katsumasa Kamiya
- Center
for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
| | - Kenji Shiraishi
- Center
for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Machida
- Department
of Chemistry, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki 569-8686, Japan
| | - Takeshi Murakawa
- Department
of Biochemistry, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki 569-8686, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Hayashi
- Department
of Chemistry, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki 569-8686, Japan
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21
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Chan-Huot M, Dos A, Zander R, Sharif S, Tolstoy PM, Compton S, Fogle E, Toney MD, Shenderovich I, Denisov GS, Limbach HH. NMR Studies of Protonation and Hydrogen Bond States of Internal Aldimines of Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate Acid–Base in Alanine Racemase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, and Poly-l-lysine. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:18160-75. [DOI: 10.1021/ja408988z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Monique Chan-Huot
- Institut
für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Ecole Normale Supérieure, Laboratoire des BioMolécules, 24 rue Lhomond, 75231 Cedex 05, Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Dos
- Institut
für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Reinhard Zander
- Institut
für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Shasad Sharif
- Institut
für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter M. Tolstoy
- Institut
für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Department
of Chemistry, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskij pr. 26, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Shara Compton
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California—Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Widener University, One University Place, Chester, Pennsylvania 19013, United States
| | - Emily Fogle
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California—Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, CalPoly, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Michael D. Toney
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California—Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Ilya Shenderovich
- Institut
für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr.
31, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gleb S. Denisov
- Institute
of Physics, St. Petersburg State University, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Hans-Heinrich Limbach
- Institut
für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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22
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Leonard DA, Bonomo RA, Powers RA. Class D β-lactamases: a reappraisal after five decades. Acc Chem Res 2013; 46:2407-15. [PMID: 23902256 DOI: 10.1021/ar300327a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Despite 70 years of clinical use, β-lactam antibiotics still remain at the forefront of antimicrobial chemotherapy. The major challenge to these life-saving therapeutics is the presence of bacterial enzymes (i.e., β-lactamases) that can hydrolyze the β-lactam bond and inactivate the antibiotic. These enzymes can be grouped into four classes (A-D). Among the most genetically diverse are the class D β-lactamases. In this class are β-lactamases that can inactivate the entire spectrum of β-lactam antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems). Class D β-lactamases are mostly found in Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Escherichia coli , Proteus mirabilis , and Acinetobacter baumannii . The active-sites of class D β-lactamases contain an unusual N-carboxylated lysine post-translational modification. A strongly hydrophobic active-site helps create the conditions that allow the lysine to combine with CO2, and the resulting carbamate is stabilized by a number of hydrogen bonds. The carboxy-lysine plays a symmetric role in the reaction, serving as a general base to activate the serine nucleophile in the acylation reaction, and the deacylating water in the second step. There are more than 250 class D β-lactamases described, and the full set of variants shows remarkable diversity with regard to substrate binding and turnover. Narrow-spectrum variants are most effective against the earliest generation penicillins and cephalosporins such as ampicillin and cephalothin. Extended-spectrum variants (also known as extended-spectrum β-lactamases, ESBLs) pose a more dangerous clinical threat as they possess a small number of substitutions that allow them to bind and hydrolyze later generation cephalosporins that contain bulkier side-chain constituents (e.g., cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and cefepime). Mutations that permit this versatility seem to cluster in the area surrounding an active-site tryptophan resulting in a widened active-site to accommodate the oxyimino side-chains of these cephalosporins. More concerning are the class D β-lactamases that hydrolyze clinically important carbapenem β-lactam drugs (e.g., imipenem). Whereas carbapenems irreversibly acylate and inhibit narrow-spectrum β-lactamases, class D carbapenemases are able to recruit and activate a deacylating water. The rotational orientation of the C6 hydroxyethyl group found on all carbapenem antibiotics likely plays a role in whether the deacylating water is effective or not. Inhibition of class D β-lactamases is a current challenge. Commercially available inhibitors that are active against other classes of β-lactamases are ineffective against class D enzymes. On the horizon are several compounds, consisting of both β-lactam derivatives and non-β-lactams, that have the potential of providing novel leads to design new mechanism-based inactivators that are effective against the class D enzymes. Several act synergistically when given in combination with a β-lactam antibiotic, and others show a unique mechanism of inhibition that is distinct from the traditional β-lactamase inhibitors. These studies will bolster structure-based inhibitor design efforts to facilitate the optimization and development of these compounds as class D inactivators.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Leonard
- Department of Chemistry, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan 49401, United States
| | - Robert A. Bonomo
- Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Department of Pharmacology, Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Rachel A. Powers
- Department of Chemistry, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan 49401, United States
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23
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Palani K, Burley SK, Swaminathan S. Structure of alanine racemase from Oenococcus oeni with bound pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2012; 69:15-9. [PMID: 23295479 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309112047276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 11/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The crystal structure of alanine racemase from Oenococcus oeni has been determined at 1.7 Å resolution using the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) method and selenium-labelled protein. The protein exists as a symmetric dimer in the crystal, with both protomers contributing to the two active sites. Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, a cofactor, is bound to each monomer and forms a Schiff base with Lys39. Structural comparison of alanine racemase from O. oeni (Alr) with homologous family members revealed similar domain organization and cofactor binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kandavelu Palani
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA
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24
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Wu HM, Kuan YC, Chu CH, Hsu WH, Wang WC. Crystal structures of lysine-preferred racemases, the non-antibiotic selectable markers for transgenic plants. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48301. [PMID: 23118975 PMCID: PMC3485190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysine racemase, a pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent amino acid racemase that catalyzes the interconversion of lysine enantiomers, is valuable to serve as a novel non-antibiotic selectable marker in the generation of transgenic plants. Here, we have determined the first crystal structure of a lysine racemase (Lyr) from Proteus mirabilis BCRC10725, which shows the highest activity toward lysine and weaker activity towards arginine. In addition, we establish the first broad-specificity amino acid racemase (Bar) structure from Pseudomonas putida DSM84, which presents not only the highest activity toward lysine but also remarkably broad substrate specificity. A complex structure of Bar-lysine is also established here. These structures demonstrate the similar fold of alanine racemase, which is a head-to-tail homodimer with each protomer containing an N-terminal (α/β)8 barrel and a C-terminal β-stranded domain. The active-site residues are located at the protomer interface that is a funnel-like cavity with two catalytic bases, one from each protomer, and the PLP binding site is at the bottom of this cavity. Structural comparisons, site-directed mutagenesis, kinetic, and modeling studies identify a conserved arginine and an adjacent conserved asparagine that fix the orientation of the PLP O3 atom in both structures and assist in the enzyme activity. Furthermore, side chains of two residues in α-helix 10 have been discovered to point toward the cavity and define the substrate specificity. Our results provide a structural foundation for the design of racemases with pre-determined substrate specificity and for the development of the non-antibiotic selection system in transgenic plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Mao Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chia Kuan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Han Chu
- Biomedical Science and Engineering Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hwei Hsu
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ching Wang
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Biomedical Science and Engineering Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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25
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Scaletti ER, Luckner SR, Krause KL. Structural features and kinetic characterization of alanine racemase from Staphylococcus aureus (Mu50). ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA. SECTION D, BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 2012; 68:82-92. [PMID: 22194336 PMCID: PMC3245724 DOI: 10.1107/s0907444911050682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2011] [Accepted: 11/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic Gram-positive bacterium which causes a wide variety of diseases ranging from minor skin infections to potentially fatal conditions such as pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia. The pathogen is a leading cause of nosocomial acquired infections, a problem that is exacerbated by the existence of methicillin- and glycopeptide antibiotic-resistant strains which can be challenging to treat. Alanine racemase (Alr) is a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme which catalyzes reversible racemization between enantiomers of alanine. As D-alanine is an essential component of the bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan, inhibition of Alr is lethal to prokaryotes. Additionally, while ubiquitous amongst bacteria, this enzyme is absent in humans and most eukaryotes, making it an excellent antibiotic drug target. The crystal structure of S. aureus alanine racemase (Alr(Sas)), the sequence of which corresponds to that from the highly antibiotic-resistant Mu50 strain, has been solved to 2.15 Å resolution. Comparison of the Alr(Sas) structure with those of various alanine racemases demonstrates a conserved overall fold, with the enzyme sharing most similarity to those from other Gram-positive bacteria. Structural examination indicates that the active-site binding pocket, dimer interface and active-site entryway of the enzyme are potential targets for structure-aided inhibitor design. Kinetic constants were calculated in this study and are reported here. The potential for a disulfide bond in this structure is noted. This structural and biochemical information provides a template for future structure-based drug-development efforts targeting Alr(Sas).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R. Scaletti
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sylvia R. Luckner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kurt L. Krause
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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26
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Thiadiazolidinones: a new class of alanine racemase inhibitors with antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Biochem Pharmacol 2011; 83:368-77. [PMID: 22146584 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2011.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Revised: 11/20/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a human pathogen and a major cause of hospital-acquired infections. New antibacterial agents that have not been compromised by bacterial resistance are needed to treat MRSA-related infections. We chose the S. aureus cell wall synthesis enzyme, alanine racemase (Alr) as the target for a high-throughput screening effort to obtain novel enzyme inhibitors, which inhibit bacterial growth. Among the 'hits' identified was a thiadiazolidinone with chemical properties attractive for lead development. This study evaluated the mode of action, antimicrobial activities, and mammalian cell cytotoxicity of the thiadiazolidinone family in order to assess its potential for development as a therapeutic agent against MRSA. The thiadiazolidones inhibited Alr activity with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) ranging from 0.36 to 6.4 μM, and they appear to inhibit the enzyme irreversibly. The series inhibited the growth of S. aureus, including MRSA strains, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 6.25 to 100 μg/ml. The antimicrobial activity showed selectivity against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi, but not Gram-negative bacteria. The series inhibited human HeLa cell proliferation. Lead development centering on the thiadiazolidinone series would require additional medicinal chemistry efforts to enhance the antibacterial activity and minimize mammalian cell toxicity.
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27
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Conti P, Tamborini L, Pinto A, Blondel A, Minoprio P, Mozzarelli A, De Micheli C. Drug Discovery Targeting Amino Acid Racemases. Chem Rev 2011; 111:6919-46. [DOI: 10.1021/cr2000702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Conti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche “P. Pratesi”, via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Tamborini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche “P. Pratesi”, via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Pinto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche “P. Pratesi”, via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Arnaud Blondel
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Bioinformatique Structurale, CNRS-URA 2185, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Paola Minoprio
- Institut Pasteur, Laboratoire des Processus Infectieux à Trypanosoma; Département d’Infection et Epidémiologie; 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Dipartimento di Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare, via G. P. Usberti 23/A, 43100 Parma, Italy
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, viale Medaglie d’oro, Roma, Italy
| | - Carlo De Micheli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche “P. Pratesi”, via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milano, Italy
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Limbach HH, Chan-Huot M, Sharif S, Tolstoy PM, Shenderovich IG, Denisov GS, Toney MD. Critical hydrogen bonds and protonation states of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate revealed by NMR. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2011; 1814:1426-37. [PMID: 21703367 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Revised: 06/04/2011] [Accepted: 06/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In this contribution we review recent NMR studies of protonation and hydrogen bond states of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and PLP model Schiff bases in different environments, starting from aqueous solution, the organic solid state to polar organic solution and finally to enzyme environments. We have established hydrogen bond correlations that allow one to estimate hydrogen bond geometries from (15)N chemical shifts. It is shown that protonation of the pyridine ring of PLP in aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) is achieved by (i) an intermolecular OHN hydrogen bond with an aspartate residue, assisted by the imidazole group of a histidine side chain and (ii) a local polarity as found for related model systems in a polar organic solvent exhibiting a dielectric constant of about 30. Model studies indicate that protonation of the pyridine ring of PLP leads to a dominance of the ketoenamine form, where the intramolecular OHN hydrogen bond of PLP exhibits a zwitterionic state. Thus, the PLP moiety in AspAT carries a net positive charge considered as a pre-requisite to initiate the enzyme reaction. However, it is shown that the ketoenamine form dominates in the absence of ring protonation when PLP is solvated by polar groups such as water. Finally, the differences between acid-base interactions in aqueous solution and in the interior of proteins are discussed. This article is part of a special issue entitled: Pyridoxal Phosphate Enzymology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Heinrich Limbach
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraβe 3, D-14195, Germany.
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29
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Controlling reaction specificity in pyridoxal phosphate enzymes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2011; 1814:1407-18. [PMID: 21664990 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Revised: 05/18/2011] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate enzymes are ubiquitous in the nitrogen metabolism of all organisms. They catalyze a wide variety of reactions including racemization, transamination, decarboxylation, elimination, retro-aldol cleavage, Claisen condensation, and others on substrates containing an amino group, most commonly α-amino acids. The wide variety of reactions catalyzed by PLP enzymes is enabled by the ability of the covalent aldimine intermediate formed between substrate and PLP to stabilize carbanionic intermediates at Cα of the substrate. This review attempts to summarize the mechanisms by which reaction specificity can be achieved in PLP enzymes by focusing on three aspects of these reactions: stereoelectronic effects, protonation state of the external aldimine intermediate, and interaction of the carbanionic intermediate with the protein side chains present in the active site. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pyridoxal Phosphate Enzymology.
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30
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Im H, Sharpe ML, Strych U, Davlieva M, Krause KL. The crystal structure of alanine racemase from Streptococcus pneumoniae, a target for structure-based drug design. BMC Microbiol 2011; 11:116. [PMID: 21612658 PMCID: PMC3146814 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-11-116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2010] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Streptococcus pneumoniae is a globally important pathogen. The Gram-positive diplococcus is a leading cause of pneumonia, otitis media, bacteremia, and meningitis, and antibiotic resistant strains have become increasingly common over recent years.
Alanine racemase is a ubiquitous enzyme among bacteria and provides the essential cell wall precursor, D-alanine. Since it is absent in humans, this enzyme is an attractive target for the development of drugs against S. pneumoniae and other bacterial pathogens. Results Here we report the crystal structure of alanine racemase from S. pneumoniae (AlrSP). Crystals diffracted to a resolution of 2.0 Å and belong to the space group P3121 with the unit cell parameters a = b = 119.97 Å, c = 118.10 Å, α = β = 90° and γ = 120°. Structural comparisons show that AlrSP shares both an overall fold and key active site residues with other bacterial alanine racemases. The active site cavity is similar to other Gram positive alanine racemases, featuring a restricted but conserved entryway. Conclusions We have solved the structure of AlrSP, an essential step towards the development of an accurate pharmacophore model of the enzyme, and an important contribution towards our on-going alanine racemase structure-based drug design project. We have identified three regions on the enzyme that could be targeted for inhibitor design, the active site, the dimer interface, and the active site entryway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hookang Im
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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31
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Lin YL, Gao J, Rubinstein A, Major DT. Molecular dynamics simulations of the intramolecular proton transfer and carbanion stabilization in the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate dependent enzymes L-dopa decarboxylase and alanine racemase. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2011; 1814:1438-46. [PMID: 21600315 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2011] [Revised: 04/28/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Molecular dynamics simulations using a combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) potential have been carried out to investigate the internal proton transfer equilibrium of the external aldimine species in l-dopa decarboxylase, and carbanion stabilization by the enzyme cofactor in the active site of alanine racemase. Solvent effects lower the free energy of the O-protonated PLP tautomer both in aqueous solution and in the active site, resulting a free energy difference of about -1 kcal/mol relative to the N-protonated Schiff base in the enzyme. The external aldimine provides the dominant contribution to lowering the free energy barrier for the spontaneous decarboxylation of l-dopa in water, by a remarkable 16 kcal/mol, while the enzyme l-dopa decarboxylase further lowers the barrier by 8 kcal/mol. Kinetic isotope effects were also determined using a path integral free energy perturbation theory on the primary (13)C and the secondary (2)H substitutions. In the case of alanine racemase, if the pyridine ring is unprotonated as that in the active site, there is destabilizing contribution to the formation of the α-carbanion in the gas phase, although when the pyridine ring is protonated the contribution is stabilizing. In aqueous solution and in alanine racemase, the α-carbanion is stabilized both when the pyridine ring is protonated and unprotonated. The computational studies illustrated in this article show that combined QM/MM simulations can help provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of PLP-dependent enzymes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pyridoxal Phosphate Enzymology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Lin Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Digital Technology Center and Supercomputing Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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32
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The PLP cofactor: lessons from studies on model reactions. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2010; 1814:1419-25. [PMID: 21182991 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2010.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2010] [Revised: 11/26/2010] [Accepted: 12/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Experimental probes of the acidity of weak carbon acids have been developed and used to determine the carbon acid pK(a)s of glycine, glycine derivatives and iminium ion adducts of glycine to the carbonyl group, including 5'-deoxypyridoxal (DPL). The high reactivity of the DPL-stabilized glycyl carbanion towards nucleophilic addition to both DPL and the glycine-DPL iminium ion favors the formation of Claisen condensation products at enzyme active sites. The formation of the iminium ion between glycine and DPL is accompanied by a 12-unit decrease in the pK(a) of 29 for glycine. The complicated effects of formation of glycine iminium ions to DPL and other aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and ketones on carbon acid pK(a) are discussed. These data provide insight into the contribution of the individual pyridine ring substituents to the catalytic efficiency of DPL. It is suggested that the 5'-phosphodianion group of PLP may play an important role in enzymatic catalysis of carbon deprotonation by providing up to 12 kcal/mol of binding energy that is utilized to stabilize the transition state for the enzymatic reaction. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pyridoxal Phospate Enzymology.
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33
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Baurin S, Vercheval L, Bouillenne F, Falzone C, Brans A, Jacquamet L, Ferrer JL, Sauvage E, Dehareng D, Frère JM, Charlier P, Galleni M, Kerff F. Critical role of tryptophan 154 for the activity and stability of class D beta-lactamases. Biochemistry 2009; 48:11252-63. [PMID: 19860471 DOI: 10.1021/bi901548c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The catalytic efficiency of the class D beta-lactamase OXA-10 depends critically on an unusual carboxylated lysine as the general base residue for both the enzyme acylation and deacylation steps of catalysis. Evidence is presented that the interaction between the indole group of Trp154 and the carboxylated lysine is essential for the stability of the posttranslationally modified Lys70. Substitution of Trp154 by Gly, Ala, or Phe yielded noncarboxylated enzymes which displayed poor catalytic efficiencies and reduced stability when compared to the wild-type OXA-10. The W154H mutant was partially carboxylated. In addition, the maximum values of k(cat) and k(cat)/K(M) were shifted toward pH 7, indicating that the carboxylation state of Lys70 is dependent on the protonation level of the histidine. A comparison of the three-dimensional structures of the different proteins also indicated that the Trp154 mutations did not modify the overall structures of OXA-10 but induced an increased flexibility of the Omega-loop in the active site. Finally, the deacylation-impaired W154A mutant was used to determine the structure of the acyl-enzyme complex with benzylpenicillin. These results indicate a role of the Lys70 carboxylation during the deacylation step and emphasize the importance of Trp154 for the ideal positioning of active site residues leading to an optimum activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Baurin
- Laboratory of Biological Macromolecules, Center for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Institut de Chimie B6a, Belgium
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34
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Couñago RM, Davlieva M, Strych U, Hill RE, Krause KL. Biochemical and structural characterization of alanine racemase from Bacillus anthracis (Ames). BMC STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2009; 9:53. [PMID: 19695097 PMCID: PMC2743695 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6807-9-53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2009] [Accepted: 08/20/2009] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax and a potential bioterrorism threat. Here we report the biochemical and structural characterization of B. anthracis (Ames) alanine racemase (AlrBax), an essential enzyme in prokaryotes and a target for antimicrobial drug development. We also compare the native AlrBax structure to a recently reported structure of the same enzyme obtained through reductive lysine methylation. RESULTS B. anthracis has two open reading frames encoding for putative alanine racemases. We show that only one, dal1, is able to complement a D-alanine auxotrophic strain of E. coli. Purified Dal1, which we term AlrBax, is shown to be a dimer in solution by dynamic light scattering and has a Vmax for racemization (L- to D-alanine) of 101 U/mg. The crystal structure of unmodified AlrBax is reported here to 1.95 A resolution. Despite the overall similarity of the fold to other alanine racemases, AlrBax makes use of a chloride ion to position key active site residues for catalysis, a feature not yet observed for this enzyme in other species. Crystal contacts are more extensive in the methylated structure compared to the unmethylated structure. CONCLUSION The chloride ion in AlrBax is functioning effectively as a carbamylated lysine making it an integral and unique part of this structure. Despite differences in space group and crystal form, the two AlrBax structures are very similar, supporting the case that reductive methylation is a valid rescue strategy for proteins recalcitrant to crystallization, and does not, in this case, result in artifacts in the tertiary structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael M Couñago
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Milya Davlieva
- Department of Biochemistry Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ulrich Strych
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ryan E Hill
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Kurt L Krause
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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35
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Kanodia S, Agarwal S, Singh P, Agarwal S, Singh P, Bhatnagar R. Biochemical characterization of alanine racemase--a spore protein produced by Bacillus anthracis. BMB Rep 2009; 42:47-52. [PMID: 19192393 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2009.42.1.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alanine racemase catalyzes the interconversion of L-alanine and D-alanine and plays a crucial role in spore germination and cell wall biosynthesis. In this study, alanine racemase produced by Bacillus anthracis was expressed and purified as a monomer in Escherichia coli and the importance of lysine 41 in the cofactor binding octapeptide and tyrosine 270 in catalysis was evaluated. The native enzyme exhibited an apparent K(m) of 3 mM for L-alanine, and a V(max) of 295 micromoles/min/mg, with the optimum activity occurring at 37 degrees C and a pH of 8-9. The activity observed in the absence of exogenous pyridoxal 5'-phosphate suggested that the cofactor is bound to the enzyme. Additionally, the UV-visible absorption spectra indicated that the activity was pH independece, of VV-visible absorption spectra suggests that the bound PLP exists as a protonated Schiff's base. Furthermore, the loss of activity observed in the apoenzyme suggested that bound PLP is required for catalysis. Finally, the enzyme followed non-competitive and mixed inhibition kinetics for hydroxylamine and propionate with a K(i) of 160 microM and 30 mM, respectively. [BMB reports 2009; 42(1): 47-52].
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Kanodia
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067, India
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36
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Priyadarshi A, Lee EH, Sung MW, Nam KH, Lee WH, Kim EE, Hwang KY. Structural insights into the alanine racemase from Enterococcus faecalis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2009; 1794:1030-40. [PMID: 19328247 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2009.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2008] [Revised: 02/19/2009] [Accepted: 03/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Alanine racemase (AlaR) is a bacterial enzyme that belongs to the fold-type III group of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes. AlaR catalyzes the interconversion between L- and D-alanine, which is important for peptidoglycan biosynthesis. This enzyme is common in prokaryotes, but absent in eukaryotes, which makes it an attractive target for the design of new antibacterial drugs. Here, we report the crystal structures of both the apoenzyme and the d-cycloserine (DCS) complex of AlaR from the pathogenic bacterium Enterococcus faecalis v583, at a resolution of 2.5 A. DCS is a suicide inhibitor of AlaR and, as such, serves as an antimicrobial agent and has been used to treat tuberculosis and urinary tract infection-related diseases, and makes several hydrogen bonds with the conserved active site residues, Tyr44 and Ser207, respectively. The apoenzyme crystal structure of AlaR consists of three monomers in the asymmetric unit, including a polyethylene glycol molecule in the dimer interface that surrounds one of the His 293 residues and also sits close to one side of the His 293 residue in the opposite monomer. Our results provide structural insights into AlaR that may be used for the development of new antibiotics targeting the alanine racemase in pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Priyadarshi
- Biomedical Research Center, Life Science Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, South Korea
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37
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Townsend PD, Holliday PM, Fenyk S, Hess KC, Gray MA, Hodgson DRW, Cann MJ. Stimulation of mammalian G-protein-responsive adenylyl cyclases by carbon dioxide. J Biol Chem 2008; 284:784-91. [PMID: 19008230 PMCID: PMC2613629 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m807239200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon dioxide is fundamental to the physiology of all organisms. There is
considerable interest in the precise molecular mechanisms that organisms use
to directly sense CO2. Here we demonstrate that a mammalian
recombinant G-protein-activated adenylyl cyclase and the related Rv1625c
adenylyl cyclase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are specifically
stimulated by CO2. Stimulation occurred at physiological
concentrations of CO2 through increased kcat.
CO2 increased the affinity of enzyme for metal co-factor, but
contact with metal was not necessary as CO2 interacted directly
with apoenzyme. CO2 stimulated the activity of both
G-protein-regulated adenylyl cyclases and Rv1625c in vivo. Activation
of G-protein regulated adenylyl cyclases by CO2 gave a
corresponding increase in cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB)
phosphorylation. Comparison of the responses of the G-protein regulated
adenylyl cyclases and the molecularly, and biochemically distinct mammalian
soluble adenylyl cyclase revealed that whereas G-protein-regulated enzymes are
responsive to CO2, the soluble adenylyl cyclase is responsive to
both CO2 and bicarbonate ion. We have, thus, identified a signaling
enzyme by which eukaryotes can directly detect and respond to fluctuating
CO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip D Townsend
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
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38
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Hu T, Wu D, Chen J, Ding J, Jiang H, Shen X. The catalytic intermediate stabilized by a "down" active site loop for diaminopimelate decarboxylase from Helicobacter pylori. Enzymatic characterization with crystal structure analysis. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:21284-93. [PMID: 18508763 PMCID: PMC3258949 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m801823200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2008] [Revised: 04/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The meso-diaminopimelate decarboxylase (DAPDC, EC 4.1.1.20) catalyzes the final step of L-lysine biosynthesis in bacteria and is regarded as a target for the discovery of antibiotics. Here we report the 2.3A crystal structure of DAPDC from Helicobacter pylori (HpDAPDC). The structure, in which the product L-lysine forms a Schiff base with the cofactor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, provides structural insight into the substrate specificity and catalytic mechanism of the enzyme, and implies that the carboxyl to be cleaved locates at the si face of the cofactor. To our knowledge, this might be the first reported external aldimine of DAPDC. Moreover, the active site loop of HpDAPDC is in a "down" conformation and shields the ligand from solvent. Mutations of Ile(148) from the loop greatly impaired the catalytic efficiency. Combining the structural analysis of the I148L mutant, we hypothesize that HpDAPDC adopts an induced-fit catalytic mechanism in which this loop cycles through "down" and "up" conformations to stabilize intermediates and release product, respectively. Our work is expected to provide clues for designing specific inhibitors of DAPDC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiancen Hu
- Drug Discovery and Design
Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia
Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203 and
State Key Laboratory of Molecular
Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for
Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Dalei Wu
- Drug Discovery and Design
Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia
Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203 and
State Key Laboratory of Molecular
Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for
Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Drug Discovery and Design
Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia
Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203 and
State Key Laboratory of Molecular
Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for
Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jianping Ding
- Drug Discovery and Design
Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia
Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203 and
State Key Laboratory of Molecular
Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for
Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Hualiang Jiang
- Drug Discovery and Design
Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia
Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203 and
State Key Laboratory of Molecular
Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for
Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xu Shen
- Drug Discovery and Design
Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia
Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203 and
State Key Laboratory of Molecular
Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for
Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
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Wu D, Hu T, Zhang L, Chen J, Du J, Ding J, Jiang H, Shen X. Residues Asp164 and Glu165 at the substrate entryway function potently in substrate orientation of alanine racemase from E. coli: Enzymatic characterization with crystal structure analysis. Protein Sci 2008; 17:1066-76. [PMID: 18434499 DOI: 10.1110/ps.083495908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Alanine racemase (Alr) is an important enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of L-alanine and D-alanine, an essential building block in the peptidoglycan biosynthesis. For the small size of the Alr active site, its conserved substrate entryway has been proposed as a potential choice for drug design. In this work, we fully analyzed the crystal structures of the native, the D-cycloserine-bound, and four mutants (P219A, E221A, E221K, and E221P) of biosynthetic Alr from Escherichia coli (EcAlr) and studied the potential roles in substrate orientation for the key residues involved in the substrate entryway in conjunction with the enzymatic assays. Structurally, it was discovered that EcAlr is similar to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa catabolic Alr in both overall and active site geometries. Mutation of the conserved negatively charged residue aspartate 164 or glutamate 165 at the substrate entryway could obviously reduce the binding affinity of enzyme against the substrate and decrease the turnover numbers in both D- to L-Ala and L- to D-Ala directions, especially when mutated to lysine with the opposite charge. However, mutation of Pro219 or Glu221 had only negligible or a small influence on the enzymatic activity. Together with the enzymatic and structural investigation results, we thus proposed that the negatively charged residues Asp164 and Glu165 around the substrate entryway play an important role in substrate orientation with cooperation of the positively charged Arg280 and Arg300 on the opposite monomer. Our findings are expected to provide some useful structural information for inhibitor design targeting the substrate entryway of Alr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalei Wu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
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40
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Barreteau H, Kovac A, Boniface A, Sova M, Gobec S, Blanot D. Cytoplasmic steps of peptidoglycan biosynthesis. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2008; 32:168-207. [PMID: 18266853 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2008.00104.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 479] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The biosynthesis of bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan is a complex process that involves enzyme reactions that take place in the cytoplasm (synthesis of the nucleotide precursors) and on the inner side (synthesis of lipid-linked intermediates) and outer side (polymerization reactions) of the cytoplasmic membrane. This review deals with the cytoplasmic steps of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, which can be divided into four sets of reactions that lead to the syntheses of (1) UDP-N-acetylglucosamine from fructose 6-phosphate, (2) UDP-N-acetylmuramic acid from UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, (3) UDP-N-acetylmuramyl-pentapeptide from UDP-N-acetylmuramic acid and (4) D-glutamic acid and dipeptide D-alanyl-D-alanine. Recent data concerning the different enzymes involved are presented. Moreover, special attention is given to (1) the chemical and enzymatic synthesis of the nucleotide precursor substrates that are not commercially available and (2) the search for specific inhibitors that could act as antibacterial compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Barreteau
- Laboratoire des Enveloppes Bactériennes et Antibiotiques, Institut de Biochimie et Biophysique Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Univ Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
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41
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Major DT, Gao J. A combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical study of the reaction mechanism and alpha-amino acidity in alanine racemase. J Am Chem Soc 2007; 128:16345-57. [PMID: 17165790 DOI: 10.1021/ja066334r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical simulations have been carried out to investigate the origin of the carbon acidity enhancement in the alanine racemization reaction catalyzed by alanine racemase (AlaR). The present study shows that the enhancement of carbon acidity of alpha-amino acids by the cofactor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) with an unusual, unprotonated pyridine is mainly due to solvation effects, in contrast to the intrinsic electron-withdrawing stabilization by the pyridinium ion to form a quinonoid intermediate. Alanine racemase further lowers the alpha-proton acidity and provides an overall 14-17 kcal/mol transition-state stabilization. The second key finding of this study is that the mechanism of racemization of an alanine zwitterion in water is altered from an essentially concerted process to a stepwise reaction by formation of an external aldimine adduct with the PLP cofactor. Finally, we have used a centroid path integral method to determine the intrinsic kinetic isotope effects for the two proton abstraction reactions, which are somewhat greater than the experimental estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Thomas Major
- Department of Chemistry and Supercomputing Institute, Digital Technology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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42
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Major DT, Nam K, Gao J. Transition State Stabilization and α-Amino Carbon Acidity in Alanine Racemase. J Am Chem Soc 2006; 128:8114-5. [PMID: 16787057 DOI: 10.1021/ja062272t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Combined QM/MM simulations have been carried out to investigate the origin of the carbon acidity enhancement in the alanine racemization reaction catalyzed by alanine racemase (AlaR). The present studies show that enhancement of carbon acidity of alpha-amino acids by cofactor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, PLP, with an unusual, unprotonated pyridine is due to solvation effects, in contrast to the intrinsic electron-withdrawing stabilization by the pyridinium ion to form a quinonoid intermediate. Alanine racemase further lowers the alpha-proton acidity and provides an overall 14-17 kcal/mol transition state stabilization. Our computational results are consistent with the hypothesis that the use of the unusual form of PLP cofactor in AlaR is to raise the free energy of the intermediate, thereby increasing the reprotonation rate and enhancing the enzyme selectivity for racemization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan T Major
- Department of Chemistry and Supercomputing Institute, Digital Technology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
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Yoshimura T, Esak N. Amino acid racemases: functions and mechanisms. J Biosci Bioeng 2005; 96:103-9. [PMID: 16233494 DOI: 10.1016/s1389-1723(03)90111-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2003] [Accepted: 02/18/2003] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
L-Amino acids are predominant in living organisms, but D-amino acids such as D-alanine and D-glutamate also occur in all eubacterial cell walls. Moreover, even mammals contain endogenous D-amino acids: D-serine functions as a signaling molecule in mammalian brains, and D-aspartate acts as a mediator in endocrine systems. Various other D-amino acids have been demonstrated in archaea, yeasts, fungi, plants, insects, mollusks and other eucaryotic organisms. These D-amino acids are mostly endogenous and produced in most cases by racemization from their corresponding antipodes by the action of racemases. Therefore, amino acid racemases play a central role in D-amino acid metabolism. Most amino acid racemases require pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) as a coenzyme, but several others require no coenzymes. Recently, the structures and functions of these two classes of amino acid racemases were clarified on a molecular basis. We here describe recent advances in studies of the functions and mechanisms of PLP-dependent and -independent amino acid racemases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tohru Yoshimura
- Laboratory of Microbial Biochemistry, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
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Li J, Cross JB, Vreven T, Meroueh SO, Mobashery S, Schlegel HB. Lysine carboxylation in proteins: OXA-10 β-lactamase. Proteins 2005; 61:246-57. [PMID: 16121396 DOI: 10.1002/prot.20596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of proteins are being shown to have an N(zeta)-carboxylated lysine in their structures, a posttranslational modification of proteins that proceeds without the intervention of a specific enzyme. The role of the carboxylated lysine in these proteins is typically structural (hydrogen bonding or metal coordination). However, carboxylated lysines in the active sites of OXA-10 and OXA-1 beta-lactamases and the sensor domain of BlaR signal-transducer protein serve in proton transfer events required for the functions of these proteins. These examples demonstrate the utility of this unusual amino acid in acid-base chemistry, in expansion of function beyond those of the 20 standard amino acids. In this study, the ONIOM quantum-mechanical/molecular-mechanical (QM/MM) method is used to study the carboxylation of lysine in the OXA-10 beta-lactamase. Lys-70 and the active site of the OXA-10 beta-lactamase were treated with B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) density functional calculations and the remainder of the enzyme with the AMBER molecular mechanics force field. The barriers for unassisted carboxylation of neutral lysine by carbon dioxide or bicarbonate are high. However, when the reaction with CO2 is catalyzed by a molecule of water in the active site, it is exothermic by about 13 kcal/mol, with a barrier of approximately 14 kcal/mol. The calculations show that the carboxylation and decarboxylation of Lys-70 are likely to be accompanied by deprotonation and protonation of the carbamate, respectively. The analysis may also be relevant for other proteins with carboxylated lysines, a feature that may be more common in nature than previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Scientific Computing, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA
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Zhang J, Cheltsov AV, Ferreira GC. Conversion of 5-aminolevulinate synthase into a more active enzyme by linking the two subunits: spectroscopic and kinetic properties. Protein Sci 2005; 14:1190-200. [PMID: 15840827 PMCID: PMC2253255 DOI: 10.1110/ps.041258305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The two active sites of dimeric 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS), a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme, are located on the subunit interface with contribution of essential amino acids from each subunit. Linking the two subunits into a single polypeptide chain dimer (2XALAS) yielded an enzyme with an approximate sevenfold greater turnover number than that of wild-type ALAS. Spectroscopic and kinetic properties of 2XALAS were investigated to explore the differences in the coenzyme structure and kinetic mechanism relative to those of wild-type ALAS that confer a more active enzyme. The absorption spectra of both ALAS and 2XALAS had maxima at 410 and 330 nm, with a greater A(410)/A(330) ratio at pH approximately 7.5 for 2XALAS. The 330 nm absorption band showed an intense fluorescence at 385 nm but not at 510 nm, indicating that the 330 nm absorption species is the substituted aldamine rather than the enolimine form of the Schiff base. The 385 nm emission intensity increased with increasing pH with a single pK of approximately 8.5 for both enzymes, and thus the 410 and 330 nm absorption species were attributed to the ketoenamine and substituted aldamine, respectively. Transient kinetic analysis of the formation and decay of the quinonoid intermediate EQ(2) indicated that, although their rates were similar in ALAS and 2XALAS, accumulation of this intermediate was greater in the 2XALAS-catalyzed reaction. Collectively, these results suggest that ketoenamine is the active form of the coenzyme and forms a more prominent coenzyme structure in 2XALAS than in ALAS at pH approximately 7.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junshun Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa 33612, USA
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Toney MD. Reaction specificity in pyridoxal phosphate enzymes. Arch Biochem Biophys 2005; 433:279-87. [PMID: 15581583 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2004.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2004] [Revised: 09/15/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Pyridoxal phosphate enzymes catalyze a wide variety of reaction types on amines and amino acids, generally by stabilizing carbanionic intermediates. This makes them very useful in cellular metabolism, but it also creates problems in controlling the reaction pathway that a given enzyme follows, i.e., in controlling reaction specificity. Stereoelectronic effects have been proposed to play a major role in determining the bond to Calpha that gets broken in the external aldimine intermediate that is common to all PLP enzymes. Here, we discuss our work on dialkylglycine decarboxylase aimed at providing direct evidence for stereoelectronic control of external aldimine reactivity. Once a bond to Calpha has been broken to form the carbanionic intermediate, enzymes must also carefully control the fate of this reactive species. Our studies with alanine racemase suggest that the enzyme selectively destabilizes the carbanionic quinonoid intermediate to promote higher racemization specificity by avoiding transamination side reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Toney
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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Noda M, Matoba Y, Kumagai T, Sugiyama M. Structural Evidence That Alanine Racemase from a d-Cycloserine-producing Microorganism Exhibits Resistance to Its Own Product. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:46153-61. [PMID: 15302886 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m404605200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Alanine racemase (ALR), an enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of Ala enantiomers, is essential for the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. We have shown that it is harder to inhibit the catalytic activity of ALR from D-cycloserine (DCS)-producing Streptomyces lavendulae than that from Escherichia coli by DCS. To obtain structural evidence for the fact that Streptomyces ALR displays resistance to DCS, we determined the precise nature of the x-ray crystal structures of the cycloserine-free and cycloserine enantiomer-bound forms of Streptomyces ALR at high resolutions. Streptomyces ALR takes a dimer structure, which is formed by interactions between the N-terminal domain of one monomer with the C-terminal domain of its partner. Each of the two active sites of ALR, which is generated as a result of the formation of the dimer structure, is composed of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), the PLP-binding residue Lys(38), and the amino acids in the immediate environment of the pyridoxal cofactor. The current model suggests that each active site of Streptomyces ALR maintains a larger space and takes a more rigid conformation than that of Bacillus stearothermophilus ALR determined previously. Furthermore, we show that Streptomyces ALR results in a slow conversion to a final form of a pyridoxal derivative arising from either isomer of cycloserine, which inhibits the catalytic activity noncompetitively. In fact, the slow conversion is confirmed by the fact that each enzyme bound cycloserine derivative, which is bound to PLP, takes an asymmetric structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masafumi Noda
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Kasumi 1-2-3, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
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Mustata GI, Soares TA, Briggs JM. Molecular dynamics studies of alanine racemase: A structural model for drug design. Biopolymers 2003; 70:186-200. [PMID: 14517907 DOI: 10.1002/bip.10425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Alanine racemase (AlaR) is a bacterial enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of L- and D-alanine, which is an essential constituent of the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall and requires pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) as a cofactor. The enzyme is universal to bacteria, including mycobacteria, making it an attractive target for drug design. To investigate the effects of flexibility on the binding modes of the substrate and an inhibitor and to analyze how the active site is affected by the presence of the substrate versus inhibitor, a molecular dynamics simulation on the full AlaR dimer from Bacillus stearothermophilus (pdb code: 1SFT) with a D-alanine molecule in one active site and the noncovalent inhibitor, propionate, in the second site has been carried out. Within the time scale of the simulation, we show that the active site becomes more stabilized in the presence of substrate versus inhibitor. The results of this simulation are in agreement with the proposed mechanism of alanine racemase reaction in which the substrate carboxyl group directly participates in the catalysis by acting cooperatively with Tyr 265' and Lys 39. A structural water molecule in contact with both substrate and inhibitor (i.e., in both active sites) and bridging residues in both active sites was identified. It shows a remarkably low mobility and does not exchange with bulk water. This water molecule can be taken into account for the design of specific AlaR inhibitors by either utilizing it as a bridging group or displacing it with an inhibitor atom. The results presented here provide insights into the dynamics of the alanine racemase in the presence of substrate/inhibitor, which will be used for the rational design of novel inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Iurcu Mustata
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-5001, USA
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Conversion of the catalytic specificity of alanine racemase to a d-amino acid aminotransferase activity by a double active-site mutation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/s1381-1177(03)00094-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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50
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Mustata GI, Briggs JM. A structure-based design approach for the identification of novel inhibitors: application to an alanine racemase. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2002; 16:935-53. [PMID: 12825624 DOI: 10.1023/a:1023875514454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
We report a new structure-based strategy for the identification of novel inhibitors. This approach has been applied to Bacillus stearothermophilus alanine racemase (AlaR), an enzyme implicated in the biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall. The enzyme catalyzes the racemization of L- and D-alanine using pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) as a cofactor. The restriction of AlaR to bacteria and some fungi and the absolute requirement for D-alanine in peptidoglycan biosynthesis make alanine racemase a suitable target for drug design. Unfortunately, known inhibitors of alanine racemase are not specific and inhibit the activity of other PLP-dependent enzymes, leading to neurological and other side effects. This article describes the development of a receptor-based pharmacophore model for AllaR, taking into account receptor flexibility (i.e. a 'dynamic' pharmacophore model). In order to accomplish this, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the full AlaR dimer from Bacillus stearothermophilus (PDB entry, 1 sft) with a D-alanine molecule in one active site and the non-covalent inhibitor, propionate, in the second active site of this homodimer. The basic strategy followed in this study was to utilize conformations of the protein obtained during MD simulations to generate a dynamic pharmacophore model using the property mapping capability of the LigBuilder program. Compounds from the Available Chemicals Directory that fit the pharmacophore model were identified and have been submitted for experimental testing. The approach described here can be used as a valuable tool for the design of novel inhibitors of other biomolecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Iurcu Mustata
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-5001, USA
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