The kinetic behavior of chicken liver sulfite oxidase

The History of Animal and Plant Sulfite Oxidase-A Personal View

Sulfite oxidase is one of five molybdenum-containing enzymes known in eukaryotes where it catalyzes the oxidation of sulfite to sulfate. This review covers the history of sulfite oxidase research starting out with the early years of its discovery as a hepatic mitochondrial enzyme in vertebrates, leading to basic biochemical and structural properties that have inspired research for decades. A personal view on sulfite oxidase in plants, that sulfates are assimilated for their de novo synthesis of cysteine, is presented by Ralf Mendel with numerous unexpected findings and unique properties of this single-cofactor sulfite oxidase localized to peroxisomes. Guenter Schwarz connects his research to sulfite oxidase via its deficiency in humans, demonstrating its unique role amongst all molybdenum enzymes in humans. In essence, in both the plant and animal kingdoms, sulfite oxidase represents an important player in redox regulation, signaling and metabolism, thereby connecting sulfur and nitrogen metabolism in multiple ways.

Mechanistic complexities of sulfite oxidase: An enzyme with multiple domains, subunits, and cofactors

Sulfite oxidase (SO) deficiency, an inherited disease that causes severe neonatal neurological problems and early death, arises from defects in the biosynthesis of the molybdenum cofactor (Moco) (general sulfite oxidase deficiency) or from inborn errors in the SUOX gene for SO (isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency, ISOD). The X-ray structure of the highly homologous homonuclear dimeric chicken sulfite oxidase (cSO) provides a template for locating ISOD mutation sites in human sulfite oxidase (hSO). Catalysis occurs within an individual subunit of hSO, but mutations that disrupt the hSO dimer are pathological. The catalytic cycle of SO involves five metal oxidation states (MoVI, MoV, MoIV, FeIII, FeII), two intramolecular electron transfer (IET) steps, and couples a two-electron oxygen atom transfer reaction at the Mo center with two one-electron transfers from the integral b-type heme to exogenous cytochrome c, the physiological oxidant. Several ISOD examples are analyzed using steady-state, stopped-flow, and laser flash photolysis kinetics and physical measurements of recombinant variants of hSO and native cSO. In the structure of cSO, Mo…Fe = 32 Å, much too long for efficient IET through the protein. Interdomain motion that brings the Mo and heme centers closer together to facilitate IET is supported indirectly by decreasing the length of the interdomain tether, by changes in the charges of surface residues of the Mo and heme domains, as well as by preliminary molecular dynamics calculations. However, direct dynamic measurements of interdomain motion are in their infancy.

Productive Performances of Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds and Their Crosses with a Commercial Strain in Conventional and Free-Range Farming Systems

Local chicken breeds play a vital role in promoting sustainability by preserving genetic diversity, enhancing resilience, and supporting local economies. These breeds are adapted to local climates and conditions, requiring fewer external resources and inputs for their maintenance. By conserving and utilizing local chicken breeds, sustainable farming practices can be incentivized, maintaining ecosystem balance and ensuring food security for future generations. The present study aimed at evaluating the growth performance and slaughter traits of two local Italian chicken breeds (Bionda Piemontese and Robusta Maculata) and their crosses with a medium-growth genotype (Sasso chicken®) reared in conventional and free-range farming systems. The conventional system used a high-energy high-protein diet in a closed barn with controlled temperature, humidity, and lighting, and a stocking density of 33 kg/m2. The free-range system used a low-input diet (low-energy low-protein diet composed of local and GMO-free feed ingredients), uncontrolled environmental conditions, and a stocking density of 21 kg/m2 in a barn with free access to an outdoor area. The birds were slaughtered at 84 days of age in both systems. The crossbred chickens showed the best results for growth performance in both farming systems compared to local breeds. Within genotype, the final live weight of chickens was similar in the two farming systems. In conclusion, slow-growth crossbreeds should be used in alternative farming systems, demonstrating better performance than pure local breeds.

Bringing Nitric Oxide to the Molybdenum World-A Personal Perspective

Molybdenum-containing enzymes of the xanthine oxidase (XO) family are well known to catalyse oxygen atom transfer reactions, with the great majority of the characterised enzymes catalysing the insertion of an oxygen atom into the substrate. Although some family members are known to catalyse the "reverse" reaction, the capability to abstract an oxygen atom from the substrate molecule is not generally recognised for these enzymes. Hence, it was with surprise and scepticism that the "molybdenum community" noticed the reports on the mammalian XO capability to catalyse the oxygen atom abstraction of nitrite to form nitric oxide (NO). The lack of precedent for a molybdenum- (or tungsten) containing nitrite reductase on the nitrogen biogeochemical cycle contributed also to the scepticism. It took several kinetic, spectroscopic and mechanistic studies on enzymes of the XO family and also of sulfite oxidase and DMSO reductase families to finally have wide recognition of the molybdoenzymes' ability to form NO from nitrite. Herein, integrated in a collection of "personal views" edited by Professor Ralf Mendel, is an overview of my personal journey on the XO and aldehyde oxidase-catalysed nitrite reduction to NO. The main research findings and the path followed to establish XO and AO as competent nitrite reductases are reviewed. The evidence suggesting that these enzymes are probable players of the mammalian NO metabolism is also discussed.

Catalytic electrochemistry of the bacterial Molybdoenzyme YcbX

Molybdenum-dependent enzymes that can reduce N-hydroxylated substrates (e.g. N-hydroxyl-purines, amidoximes) are found in bacteria, plants and vertebrates. They are involved in the conversion of a wide range of N-hydroxylated organic compounds into their corresponding amines, and utilize various redox proteins (cytochrome b₅, cyt b₅ reductase, flavin reductase) to deliver reducing equivalents to the catalytic centre. Here we present catalytic electrochemistry of the bacterial enzyme YcbX from Escherichia coli utilizing the synthetic electron transfer mediator methyl viologen (MV²⁺). The electrochemically reduced form (MV^+.) acts as an effective electron donor for YcbX. To immobilize YcbX on a glassy carbon electrode, a facile protein crosslinking approach was used with the crosslinker glutaraldehyde (GTA). The YcbX-modified electrode showed a catalytic response for the reduction of a broad range of N-hydroxylated substrates. The catalytic activity of YcbX was examined at different pH values exhibiting an optimum at pH 7.5 and a bell-shaped pH profile with deactivation through deprotonation (pK_a1 9.1) or protonation (pK_a2 6.1). Electrochemical simulation was employed to obtain new biochemical data for YcbX, in its reaction with methyl viologen and the organic substrates 6-N-hydroxylaminopurine (6-HAP) and benzamidoxime (BA).

Enzyme Electrode Biosensors for N-Hydroxylated Prodrugs Incorporating the Mitochondrial Amidoxime Reducing Component

Human mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component 1 and 2 (mARC1 and mARC2) were immobilised on glassy carbon electrodes using the crosslinker glutaraldehyde. Voltammetry was performed in the presence of the artificial electron transfer mediator methyl viologen, whose redox potential lies negative of the enzymes' Mo^VI/V and Mo^V/IV redox potentials which were determined from optical spectroelectrochemical and EPR measurements. Apparent Michaelis constants obtained from catalytic limiting currents at various substrate concentrations were comparable to those previously reported in the literature from enzymatic assays. Kinetic parameters for benzamidoxime reduction were determined from cyclic voltammograms simulated using Digisim. pH dependence and stability of the enzyme electrode with time were also determined from limiting catalytic currents in saturating concentrations of benzamidoxime. The same electrode remained active after at least 9 days. Fabrication of this versatile and cost-effective biosensor is effective in screening new pharmaceutically important substrates and mARC inhibitors.

Electrochemically driven catalysis of the bacterial molybdenum enzyme YiiM

The Mo-dependent enzyme YiiM enzyme from Escherichia coli is a member of the sulfite oxidase family and shares many similarities with the well-studied human mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component (mARC). We have investigated YiiM catalysis using electrochemical and spectroscopic methods. EPR monitored redox potentiometry found the active site redox potentials to be Mo^VI/V -0.02 V and Mo^V/IV -0.12 V vs NHE at pH 7.2. In the presence of methyl viologen as an electrochemically reduced electron donor, YiiM catalysis was studied with a range of potential substrates. YiiM preferentially reduces N-hydroxylated compounds such as hydroxylamines, amidoximes, N-hydroxypurines and N-hydroxyureas but shows little or no activity against amine-oxides or sulfoxides. The pH optimum for catalysis was 7.1 and a bell-shaped pH profile was found with pK_a values of 6.2 and 8.1 either side of this optimum that are associated with protonation/deprotonations that modulate activity. Simulation of the experimental voltammetry elucidated kinetic parameters associated with YiiM catalysis with the substrates 6-hydroxyaminopurine and benzamidoxime.

Probiotic Potential of a Novel Vitamin B2-Overproducing Lactobacillus plantarum Strain, HY7715, Isolated from Kimchi

Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is essential for maintaining human health. The purpose of this study was to isolate novel lactic acid bacteria that overproduce vitamin B2 and to validate their potential as probiotics. In this study, Lactobacillus plantarum HY7715 (HY7715) was selected among lactic acid bacteria isolated from Kimchi. HY7715 showed a very high riboflavin-producing ability compared to the control strain due to the high expression of ribA, ribB, ribC, ribH, and ribG genes. HY7715 produced 34.5 ± 2.41 mg/L of riboflavin for 24 h without consuming riboflavin in the medium under optimal growth conditions. It was able to produce riboflavin in an in vitro model of the intestinal environment. In addition, when riboflavin deficiency was induced in mice through nutritional restriction, higher levels of riboflavin were detected in plasma and urine in the HY7715 administration group than in the control group. HY7715 showed high survival rate in simulated gastrointestinal conditions and had antibiotic resistance below the cutoff MIC value suggested by the European Food Safety Authority; moreover, it did not cause hemolysis. In conclusion, HY7715 could be considered a beneficial probiotic strain for human and animal applications, suggesting that it could be a new alternative to address riboflavin deficiency.

Identification of a novel SUOX pathogenic variants as the cause of isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency in a Chinese pedigree

BACKGROUND

Isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency (ISOD) is a life-threatening rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variants in SUOX (OMIM 606887) gene. The aim of our study was to establish a comprehensive genetic diagnosis strategy for the pathogenicity analysis of the SUOX gene within a limited time and to lay the foundation for precise genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

METHODS

Two offspring from one set of parents were studied. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to screen for disease-causing gene variants in a family with ISOD. Then, Sanger sequencing was performed to verify the presence of candidate variants. Sulfite, homocysteine and uric acid levels were detected in the patients. According to the ACMG/AMP guidelines, the pathogenicity level of novel variants was annotated.

RESULTS

The nonsense pathogenic variant (c.1200C > G (p.Y400*)) and a duplication (c.1549_1574dup (p.I525 Mfs*102)) were found in the SUOX gene in the proband. The nonsense mutation (c.1200C > G (p.Y400*), pathogenic, isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency, autosomal recessive) has been reported as pathogenic and the duplication (c.1549_1574dup (p.I525 Mfs*102), pathogenic, isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency, autosomal recessive) was novel, which was classified as pathogenic according to the ACMG/AMP Standards and Guidelines.

CONCLUSION

We established the pathogenicity assessment in ISOD patients based on ACMG/AMP Standards and Guidelines and this is the first ISOD patient reported in mainland China. We also discovered that ISOD is caused by SUOX gene duplication mutation, which enriches the spectrum of SUOX pathogenic variants.

Kinetic consequences of the endogenous ligand to molybdenum in the DMSO reductase family: a case study with periplasmic nitrate reductase

The molybdopterin enzyme family catalyzes a variety of substrates and plays a critical role in the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, arsenic, and selenium. The dimethyl sulfoxide reductase (DMSOR) subfamily is the most diverse family of molybdopterin enzymes and the members of this family catalyze a myriad of reactions that are important in microbial life processes. Enzymes in the DMSOR family can transform multiple substrates; however, quantitative information about the substrate preference is sparse, and, more importantly, the reasons for the substrate selectivity are not clear. Molybdenum coordination has long been proposed to impact the catalytic activity of the enzyme. Specifically, the molybdenum-coordinating residue may tune substrate preference. As such, molybdopterin enzyme periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap) is utilized as a vehicle to understand the substrate preference and delineate the kinetic underpinning of the differences imposed by exchanging the molybdenum ligands. To this end, NapA from Campylobacter jejuni has been heterologously overexpressed, and a series of variants, where the molybdenum coordinating cysteine has been replaced with another amino acid, has been produced. The kinetic properties of these variants are discussed and compared with those of the native enzyme, providing quantitative information to understand the function of the molybdenum-coordinating residue.

Oxygen and nitrite reduction by heme-deficient sulphite oxidase in a patient with mild sulphite oxidase deficiency

Isolated sulphite oxidase deficiency (iSOD) is an autosomal recessive inborn error in metabolism characterised by accumulation of sulphite, which leads to death in early infancy. Sulphite oxidase (SO) is encoded by the SUOX gene and forms a heme- and molybdenum-cofactor-dependent enzyme localised in the intermembrane space of mitochondria. Within SO, both cofactors are embedded in two separated domains, which are linked via a flexible 11 residue tether. The two-electron oxidation of sulphite to sulphate occurs at the molybdenum active site. From there, electrons are transferred via two intramolecular electron transfer steps (IETs) via the heme cofactor and to the physiologic electron acceptor cytochrome c. Previously, we reported nitrite and oxygen to serve as alternative electron acceptors at the Moco active site, thereby overcoming IET within SO. Here, we present evidence for these reactions to occur in an iSOD patient with an unusual mild disease representation. In the patient, a homozygous c.427C>A mutation within the SUOX gene leads to replacement of the highly conserved His143 to Asn. The affected His143 is one of two heme-iron-coordinating residues within SO. We demonstrate, that the H143N SO variant fails to bind heme in vivo leading to the elimination of SO-dependent cytochrome c reduction in mitochondria. We show, that sulphite oxidation at the Moco domain is unaffected in His143Asn SO variant and demonstrate that nitrite and oxygen are able to serve as electron acceptors for sulphite-derived electrons in cellulo. As result, the patient H143N SO variant retains residual sulphite oxidising activity thus ameliorating iSOD progression.

Mechanism of nitrite-dependent NO synthesis by human sulfite oxidase

In addition to nitric oxide (NO) synthases, molybdenum-dependent enzymes have been reported to reduce nitrite to produce NO. Here, we report the stoichiometric reduction in nitrite to NO by human sulfite oxidase (SO), a mitochondrial intermembrane space enzyme primarily involved in cysteine catabolism. Kinetic and spectroscopic studies provide evidence for direct nitrite coordination at the molybdenum center followed by an inner shell electron transfer mechanism. In the presence of the physiological electron acceptor cytochrome c, we were able to close the catalytic cycle of sulfite-dependent nitrite reduction thus leading to steady-state NO synthesis, a finding that strongly supports a physiological relevance of SO-dependent NO formation. By engineering SO variants with reduced intramolecular electron transfer rate, we were able to increase NO generation efficacy by one order of magnitude, providing a mechanistic tool to tune NO synthesis by SO.

Impaired mitochondrial maturation of sulfite oxidase in a patient with severe sulfite oxidase deficiency

Sulfite oxidase (SO) is encoded by the nuclear SUOX gene and catalyzes the final step in cysteine catabolism thereby oxidizing sulfite to sulfate. Oxidation of sulfite is dependent on two cofactors within SO, a heme and the molybdenum cofactor (Moco), the latter forming the catalytic site of sulfite oxidation. SO localizes to the intermembrane space of mitochondria where both—pre-SO processing and cofactor insertion—are essential steps during SO maturation. Isolated SO deficiency (iSOD) is a rare inborn error of metabolism caused by mutations in the SUOX gene that lead to non-functional SO. ISOD is characterized by rapidly progressive neurodegeneration and death in early infancy. We diagnosed an iSOD patient with homozygous mutation of SUOX at c.1084G>A replacing Gly362 to serine. To understand the mechanism of disease, we expressed patient-derived G362S SO in Escherichia coli and surprisingly found full catalytic activity, while in patient fibroblasts no SO activity was detected, suggesting differences between bacterial and human expression. Moco reconstitution of apo-G362S SO was found to be approximately 90-fold reduced in comparison to apo-WT SO in vitro. In line, levels of SO-bound Moco in cells overexpressing G362S SO were significantly reduced compared to cells expressing WT SO providing evidence for compromised maturation of G362S SO in cellulo. Addition of molybdate to culture medium partially rescued impaired Moco binding of G362S SO and restored SO activity in patient fibroblasts. Thus, this study demonstrates the importance of the orchestrated maturation of SO and provides a first case of Moco-responsive iSOD.

Direct Electron Transfer of Enzymes Facilitated by Cytochromes

The direct electron transfer (DET) of enzymes has been utilized to develop biosensors and enzymatic biofuel cells on micro- and nanostructured electrodes. Whereas some enzymes exhibit direct electron transfer between their active-site cofactor and an electrode, other oxidoreductases depend on acquired cytochrome domains or cytochrome subunits as built-in redox mediators. The physiological function of these cytochromes is to transfer electrons between the active-site cofactor and a redox partner protein. The exchange of the natural electron acceptor/donor by an electrode has been demonstrated for several cytochrome carrying oxidoreductases. These multi-cofactor enzymes have been applied in third generation biosensors to detect glucose, lactate, and other analytes. This review investigates and classifies oxidoreductases with a cytochrome domain, enzyme complexes with a cytochrome subunit, and covers designed cytochrome fusion enzymes. The structurally and electrochemically best characterized proponents from each enzyme class carrying a cytochrome, that is, flavoenzymes, quinoenzymes, molybdenum-cofactor enzymes, iron-sulfur cluster enzymes, and multi-haem enzymes, are featured, and their biochemical, kinetic, and electrochemical properties are compared. The cytochromes molecular and functional properties as well as their contribution to the interdomain electron transfer (IET, between active-site and cytochrome) and DET (between cytochrome and electrode) with regard to the achieved current density is discussed. Protein design strategies for cytochrome-fused enzymes are reviewed and the limiting factors as well as strategies to overcome them are outlined.

Electron transfer through arsenite oxidase: Insights into Rieske interaction with cytochrome c

Arsenic is a widely distributed environmental toxin whose presence in drinking water poses a threat to >140 million people worldwide. The respiratory enzyme arsenite oxidase from various bacteria catalyses the oxidation of arsenite to arsenate and is being developed as a biosensor for arsenite. The arsenite oxidase from Rhizobium sp. str. NT-26 (a member of the Alphaproteobacteria) is a heterotetramer consisting of a large catalytic subunit (AioA), which contains a molybdenum centre and a 3Fe-4S cluster, and a small subunit (AioB) containing a Rieske 2Fe-2S cluster. Stopped-flow spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) have been used to better understand electron transfer through the redox-active centres of the enzyme, which is essential for biosensor development. Results show that oxidation of arsenite at the active site is extremely fast with a rate of >4000s-1 and reduction of the electron acceptor is rate-limiting. An AioB-F108A mutation results in increased activity with the artificial electron acceptor DCPIP and decreased activity with cytochrome c, which in the latter as demonstrated by ITC is not due to an effect on the protein-protein interaction but instead to an effect on electron transfer. These results provide further support that the AioB F108 is important in electron transfer between the Rieske subunit and cytochrome c and its absence in the arsenite oxidases from the Betaproteobacteria may explain the inability of these enzymes to use this electron acceptor.

A compound heterozygote case of isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency

We report an isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency in the first child boy of a non-consanguineous Caucasian family. He's a compound heterozygote for the sulfite oxidase gene, presenting low cystine, undetectable homocysteine and normal uric acid blood concentrations and undetectable sulfite oxidase activity in his cultured fibroblasts. Both mutations are not reported yet. The clinical presentation was typical and severe, with generalized status epilepticus and premature death.

Structural basis of interprotein electron transfer in bacterial sulfite oxidation

Interprotein electron transfer underpins the essential processes of life and relies on the formation of specific, yet transient protein-protein interactions. In biological systems, the detoxification of sulfite is catalyzed by the sulfite-oxidizing enzymes (SOEs), which interact with an electron acceptor for catalytic turnover. Here, we report the structural and functional analyses of the SOE SorT from Sinorhizobium meliloti and its cognate electron acceptor SorU. Kinetic and thermodynamic analyses of the SorT/SorU interaction show the complex is dynamic in solution, and that the proteins interact with Kd = 13.5 ± 0.8 μM. The crystal structures of the oxidized SorT and SorU, both in isolation and in complex, reveal the interface to be remarkably electrostatic, with an unusually large number of direct hydrogen bonding interactions. The assembly of the complex is accompanied by an adjustment in the structure of SorU, and conformational sampling provides a mechanism for dissociation of the SorT/SorU assembly.

Spectroscopic and Kinetic Properties of the Molybdenum-containing, NAD+-dependent Formate Dehydrogenase from Ralstonia eutropha

We have examined the rapid reaction kinetics and spectroscopic properties of the molybdenum-containing, NAD(+)-dependent FdsABG formate dehydrogenase from Ralstonia eutropha. We confirm previous steady-state studies of the enzyme and extend its characterization to a rapid kinetic study of the reductive half-reaction (the reaction of formate with oxidized enzyme). We have also characterized the electron paramagnetic resonance signal of the molybdenum center in its Mo(V) state and demonstrated the direct transfer of the substrate Cα hydrogen to the molybdenum center in the course of the reaction. Varying temperature, microwave power, and level of enzyme reduction, we are able to clearly identify the electron paramagnetic resonance signals for four of the iron/sulfur clusters of the enzyme and find suggestive evidence for two others; we observe a magnetic interaction between the molybdenum center and one of the iron/sulfur centers, permitting assignment of this signal to a specific iron/sulfur cluster in the enzyme. In light of recent advances in our understanding of the structure of the molybdenum center, we propose a reaction mechanism involving direct hydride transfer from formate to a molybdenum-sulfur group of the molybdenum center.

Effective Electrochemistry of Human Sulfite Oxidase Immobilized on Quantum-Dots-Modified Indium Tin Oxide Electrode

The bioelectrocatalytic sulfite oxidation by human sulfite oxidase (hSO) on indium tin oxide (ITO) is reported, which is facilitated by functionalizing of the electrode surface with polyethylenimine (PEI)-entrapped CdS nanoparticles and enzyme. hSO was assembled onto the electrode with a high surface loading of electroactive enzyme. In the presence of sulfite but without additional mediators, a high bioelectrocatalytic current was generated. Reference experiments with only PEI showed direct electron transfer and catalytic activity of hSO, but these were less pronounced. The application of the polyelectrolyte-entrapped quantum dots (QDs) on ITO electrodes provides a compatible surface for enzyme binding with promotion of electron transfer. Variations of the buffer solution conditions, e.g., ionic strength, pH, viscosity, and the effect of oxygen, were studied in order to understand intramolecular and heterogeneous electron transfer from hSO to the electrode. The results are consistent with a model derived for the enzyme by using flash photolysis in solution and spectroelectrochemistry and molecular dynamic simulations of hSO on monolayer-modified gold electrodes. Moreover, for the first time a photoelectrochemical electrode involving immobilized hSO is demonstrated where photoexcitation of the CdS/hSO-modified electrode lead to an enhanced generation of bioelectrocatalytic currents upon sulfite addition. Oxidation starts already at the redox potential of the electron transfer domain of hSO and is greatly increased by application of a small overpotential to the CdS/hSO-modified ITO.

Globins Scavenge Sulfur Trioxide Anion Radical

Ferrous myoglobin was oxidized by sulfur trioxide anion radical (STAR) during the free radical chain oxidation of sulfite. Oxidation was inhibited by the STAR scavenger GSH and by the heme ligand CO. Bimolecular rate constants for the reaction of STAR with several ferrous globins and biomolecules were determined by kinetic competition. Reaction rate constants for myoglobin, hemoglobin, neuroglobin, and flavohemoglobin are large at 38, 120, 2,600, and ≥ 7,500 × 10(6) m(-1) s(-1), respectively, and correlate with redox potentials. Measured rate constants for O2, GSH, ascorbate, and NAD(P)H are also large at ∼100, 10, 130, and 30 × 10(6) m(-1) s(-1), respectively, but nevertheless allow for favorable competition by globins and a capacity for STAR scavenging in vivo. Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking sulfite oxidase and deleted of flavohemoglobin showed an O2-dependent growth impairment with nonfermentable substrates that was exacerbated by sulfide, a precursor to mitochondrial sulfite formation. Higher O2 exposures inactivated the superoxide-sensitive mitochondrial aconitase in cells, and hypoxia elicited both aconitase and NADP(+)-isocitrate dehydrogenase activity losses. Roles for STAR-derived peroxysulfate radical, superoxide radical, and sulfo-NAD(P) in the mechanism of STAR toxicity and flavohemoglobin protection in yeast are suggested.

Kinetic results for mutations of conserved residues H304 and R309 of human sulfite oxidase point to mechanistic complexities

Several point mutations in the gene of human sulfite oxidase (hSO) result in isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency, an inherited metabolic disorder. Three conserved residues (H304, R309, K322) are hydrogen bonded to the phosphate group of the molybdenum cofactor, and the R309H and K322R mutations are responsible for isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency. The kinetic effects of the K322R mutation have been previously reported (Rajapakshe et al., Chem. Biodiversity, 2012, 9, 1621-1634); here we investigate several mutants of H304 and R309 by steady-state kinetics, laser flash photolysis studies of intramolecular electron transfer (IET), and spectroelectrochemistry. An unexpected result is that all of the mutants show decreased rates of IET but increased steady-state rates of catalysis. However, in all cases the rate of IET is greater than the overall turnover rate, showing that IET is not the rate determining step for any of the mutations.

Intramolecular electron transfer between molybdenum and iron mimicking bacterial sulphite dehydrogenase

Diferrocenyl/diferrocenium substituted dioxido molybdenum(VI) complexes [Fe2MoO2] 2(Fc)/[2(FC)]²⁺ mimic the catalytic active site including the redox subunits as well as the catalytic function of bacterial sulphite oxidases.

Sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations on monooxo Mo(IV) and bisoxo Mo(VI) bis-dithiolenes: insights into the mechanism of oxo transfer in sulfite oxidase and its relation to the mechanism of DMSO reductase

Sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to determine the electronic structures of two complexes [Mo(IV)O(bdt)2](2-) and [Mo(VI)O2(bdt)2](2-) (bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate(2-)) that relate to the reduced and oxidized forms of sulfite oxidase (SO). These are compared with those of previously studied dimethyl sulfoxide reductase (DMSOr) models. DFT calculations supported by the data are extended to evaluate the reaction coordinate for oxo transfer to a phosphite ester substrate. Three possible transition states are found with the one at lowest energy, stabilized by a P-S interaction, in good agreement with experimental kinetics data. Comparison of both oxo transfer reactions shows that in DMSOr, where the oxo is transferred from the substrate to the metal ion, the oxo transfer induces electron transfer, while in SO, where the oxo transfer is from the metal site to the substrate, the electron transfer initiates oxo transfer. This difference in reactivity is related to the difference in frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) of the metal-oxo and substrate-oxo bonds. Finally, these experimentally related calculations are extended to oxo transfer by sulfite oxidase. The presence of only one dithiolene at the enzyme active site selectively activates the equatorial oxo for transfer, and allows facile structural reorganization during turnover.

The Biosynthesis of the Molybdenum Cofactor in Escherichia coli and Its Connection to FeS Cluster Assembly and the Thiolation of tRNA

The thiolation of biomolecules is a complex process that involves the activation of sulfur. The L-cysteine desulfurase IscS is the main sulfur mobilizing protein in Escherichia coli that provides the sulfur from L-cysteine to several important biomolecules in the cell such as iron sulfur (FeS) clusters, molybdopterin (MPT), thiamine, and thionucleosides of tRNA. Various proteins mediate the transfer of sulfur from IscS to various biomolecules using different interaction partners. A direct connection between the sulfur-containing molecules FeS clusters, thiolated tRNA, and the molybdenum cofactor (Moco) has been identified. The first step of Moco biosynthesis involves the conversion of 5′GTP to cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate (cPMP), a reaction catalyzed by a FeS cluster containing protein. Formed cPMP is further converted to MPT by insertion of two sulfur atoms. The sulfur for this reaction is provided by the L-cysteine desulfurase IscS in addition to the involvement of the TusA protein. TusA is also involved in the sulfur transfer for the thiolation of tRNA. This review will describe the biosynthesis of Moco in E. coli in detail and dissects the sulfur transfer pathways for Moco and tRNA and their connection to FeS cluster biosynthesis.

Electrochemically driven catalysis of Rhizobium sp. NT-26 arsenite oxidase with its native electron acceptor cytochrome c552

We describe the catalytic voltammograms of the periplasmic arsenite oxidase (Aio) from the chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Rhizobium sp. str. NT-26 that oxidizes arsenite to arsenate. Electrochemistry of the enzyme was accomplished using its native electron transfer partner, cytochrome c552 (cyt c552), as a mediator. The protein cyt c552 adsorbed on a mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) modified Au electrode exhibited a stable, reversible one-electron voltammetric response at +275mV vs NHE (pH6). In the presence of arsenite and Aio the voltammetry of cyt c552 is transformed from a transient response to an amplified sigmoidal (steady state) wave consistent with an electro-catalytic system. Digital simulation was performed using a single set of parameters for all catalytic voltammetries obtained at different sweep rates and various substrate concentrations. The obtained kinetic constants from digital simulation provide new insight into the kinetics of the NT-26 Aio catalytic mechanism.

Overexpression of a maize sulfite oxidase gene in tobacco enhances tolerance to sulfite stress via sulfite oxidation and CAT-mediated H2O2 scavenging

Sulfite oxidase (SO) plays an important role in sulfite metabolism. To date, the molecular mechanisms of sulfite metabolism in plants are largely unknown. Previously, a full-length cDNA of the putative sulfite oxidase gene from maize (ZmSO) was cloned, and its response to SO(2)/sulfite stress at the transcriptional level was characterized. In this study, the recombinant ZmSO protein was purified from E. coli. It exhibited sulfite-dependent activity and had strong affinity for the substrate sulfite. Over-expression (OE) of ZmSO in tobacco plants enhanced their tolerance to sulfite stress. The plants showed much less damage, less sulfite accumulation, but greater amounts of sulfate. This suggests that tolerance of transgenic plants to sulfite was enhanced by increasing SO expression levels. Interestingly, H(2)O(2) accumulation levels by histochemical detection and quantitative determination in the OE plants were much less than those in the wild-type upon sulfite stress. Furthermore, reductions of catalase levels detected in the OE lines were considerably less than in the wild-type plants. This indicates that SO may play an important role in protecting CAT from inhibition by excess sulfite. Collectively, these data demonstrate that transgenic tobacco plants over-expressing ZmSO enhance tolerance to excess sulfite through sulfite oxidation and catalase-mediated hydrogen peroxide scavenging. This is the first SO gene from monocots to be functionally characterized.

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a putative sulfite oxidase (SO) ortholog from Nicotiana benthamiana

Sulfite oxidase (SO) catalyzes the oxidation of sulfite to sulfate and thus has important roles in diverse metabolic processes. However, systematic molecular and functional investigations on the putative SO from tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) have hitherto not been reported. In this work, a full-length cDNA encoding putative sulfite oxidase from N. benthamiana (NbSO) was isolated. The deduced NbSO protein shares high homology and typical structural features with other species SOs. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that NbSO cDNA clone encodes a tobacco SO isoform. Southern blot analysis suggests that NbSO is a single-copy gene in the N. benthamiana genome. The NbSO transcript levels were higher in aerial tissues and were up-regulated in N. benthamiana during sulfite stress. Reducing the SO expression levels through virus-induced gene silencing caused a substantial accumulation in sulfite content and less sulfate accumulation in N. benthamiana leaves when exposed to sulfite stress, and thus resulted in decreased tolerance to sulfite stress. Taken together, this study improves our understanding on the molecular and functional properties of plant SO and provides genetic evidence on the involvement of SO in sulfite detoxification in a sulfite-oxidizing manner in N. benthamiana plants.

Structure-based alteration of substrate specificity and catalytic activity of sulfite oxidase from sulfite oxidation to nitrate reduction

Eukaryotic sulfite oxidase is a dimeric protein that contains the molybdenum cofactor and catalyzes the metabolically essential conversion of sulfite to sulfate as the terminal step in the metabolism of cysteine and methionine. Nitrate reductase is an evolutionarily related molybdoprotein in lower organisms that is essential for growth on nitrate. In this study, we describe human and chicken sulfite oxidase variants in which the active site has been modified to alter substrate specificity and activity from sulfite oxidation to nitrate reduction. On the basis of sequence alignments and the known crystal structure of chicken sulfite oxidase, two residues are conserved in nitrate reductases that align with residues in the active site of sulfite oxidase. On the basis of the crystal structure of yeast nitrate reductase, both positions were mutated in human sulfite oxidase and chicken sulfite oxidase. The resulting double-mutant variants demonstrated a marked decrease in sulfite oxidase activity but gained nitrate reductase activity. An additional methionine residue in the active site was proposed to be important in nitrate catalysis, and therefore, the triple variant was also produced. The nitrate reducing ability of the human sulfite oxidase triple mutant was nearly 3-fold greater than that of the double mutant. To obtain detailed structural data for the active site of these variants, we introduced the analogous mutations into chicken sulfite oxidase to perform crystallographic analysis. The crystal structures of the Mo domains of the double and triple mutants were determined to 2.4 and 2.1 Å resolution, respectively.