Substrate-Dependent Allosteric Regulation in Cytochrome P450cam (CYP101A1)

Unraveling the Ligand-Binding Sites of CYP3A4 by Molecular Dynamics Simulations with Solvent Probes

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is one of the most important drug-metabolizing enzymes in the human body and is well known for its complicated, atypical kinetic characteristics. The existence of multiple ligand-binding sites in CYP3A4 has been widely recognized as being capable of interfering with the active pocket through allosteric effects. The identification of ligand-binding sites other than the canonical active site above the heme is especially important for understanding the atypical kinetic characteristics of CYP3A4 and the intriguing association between the ligand and the receptor. In this study, we first employed mixed-solvent molecular dynamics (MixMD) simulations coupled with the online computational predictive tools to explore potential ligand-binding sites in CYP3A4. The MixMD approach demonstrates better performance in dealing with the receptor flexibility compared with other computational tools. From the sites identified by MixMD, we then picked out multiple sites for further exploration using ensemble docking and conventional molecular dynamics (cMD) simulations. Our results indicate that three extra sites are suitable for ligand binding in CYP3A4, including one experimentally confirmed site and two novel sites.

Biocatalytic role of cytochrome P450s to produce antibiotics: A review

Cytochrome P450s belong to a family of heme-binding monooxygenases, which catalyze regio- and stereospecific functionalisation of C-H, C-C, and C-N bonds, including heteroatom oxidation, oxidative C-C bond cleavages, and nitrene transfer. P450s are considered useful biocatalysts for the production of pharmaceutical products, fine chemicals, and bioremediating agents. Despite having tremendous biotechnological potential, being heme-monooxygenases, P450s require either autologous or heterologous redox partner(s) to perform chemical transformations. Randomly distributed P450s throughout a bacterial genome and devoid of particular redox partners in natural products biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) showed an extra challenge to reveal their pharmaceutical potential. However, continuous efforts have been made to understand their involvement in antibiotic biosynthesis and their modification, and this review focused on such BGCs. Here, particularly, we have discussed the role of P450s involved in the production of macrolides and aminocoumarin antibiotics, nonribosomal peptide (NRPSs) antibiotics, ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPPs) antibiotics, and others. Several reactions catalyzed by P450s, as well as the role of their redox partners involved in the BGCs of various antibiotics and their derivatives, have been primarily addressed in this review, which would be useful in further exploration of P450s for the biosynthesis of new therapeutics.

3site Multisubstrate-Bound State of Cytochrome P450cam

We identified a multisubstrate-bound state, hereby referred as a 3site state, in cytochrome P450cam via integrating molecular dynamics simulation with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) pseudocontact shift measurements. The 3site state is a result of simultaneous binding of three camphor molecules in three locations around P450cam: (a) in a well-established "catalytic" site near heme, (b) in a kink-separated "waiting" site along channel-1, and (c) in a previously reported "allosteric" site at E, F, G, and H helical junctions. These three spatially distinct binding modes in the 3site state mutually communicate with each other via homotropic allostery and act cooperatively to render P450cam functional. The 3site state shows a significantly superior fit with NMR pseudo contact shift (PCS) data with a Q-score of 0.045 than previously known bound states and consists of D251 free of salt-bridges with K178 and R186, rendering the enzyme functionally primed. To date, none of the reported cocomplex of P450cam with its redox partner putidaredoxin (pdx) has been able to match solution NMR data and controversial pdx-induced opening of P450cam's channel-1 remains a matter of recurrent discourse. In this regard, inclusion of pdx to the 3site state is able to perfectly fit the NMR PCS measurement with a Q-score of 0.08 and disfavors the pdx-induced opening of channel-1, reconciling previously unexplained remarkably fast hydroxylation kinetics with a koff of 10.2 s-1. Together, our findings hint that previous experimental observations may have inadvertently captured the 3site state as an in vitro solution state, instead of the catalytic state alone, and provided a distinct departure from the conventional understanding of cytochrome P450.

Redox partner recognition and selectivity of cytochrome P450lin (CYP111A1)

The strict requirement of cytochrome P450cam for its native ferredoxin redox partner, putidaredoxin (Pdx), is not exhibited by any other known cytochrome P450 (CYP) system and the molecular details of redox partner selectivity are still not completely understood. We therefore examined the selectivity of a related Pseudomonas cytochrome P450, P450lin, by testing its activity with non-native redox partners. We found that P450lin could utilize Arx, the native redox partner of CYP101D1, to enable turnover of its substrate, linalool, while Pdx showed limited activity. Arx exhibited a higher sequence similarity to P450lins native redox partner, linredoxin (Ldx) than Pdx, including several residues that are believed to be at the interface of the two proteins, based on the P450cam-Pdx complex structure. We therefore mutated Pdx to resemble Ldx and Arx and found that a double mutant, D38L/∆106, displayed higher activity than Arx. In addition, Pdx D38L/∆106 does not induce a low-spin shift in linalool bound P450lin but does destabilize the P450lin-oxycomplex. Together our results suggest that P450lin and its redox partners may form a similar interface to P450cam-Pdx, but the interactions that allow for productive turnover are different.

Cooperative Substrate Binding Controls Catalysis in Bacterial Cytochrome P450terp (CYP108A1)

Despite being one of the most well-studied aspects of cytochrome P450 chemistry, important questions remain regarding the nature and ubiquity of allosteric regulation of catalysis. The crystal structure of a bacterial P450, P450terp, in the presence of substrate reveals two binding sites, one above the heme in position for regioselective hydroxylation and another in the substrate access channel. Unlike many bacterial P450s, P450terp does not exhibit an open to closed conformational change when substrate binds; instead, P450terp uses the second substrate molecule to hold the first substrate molecule in position for catalysis. Spectral titrations clearly show that substrate binding to P450terp is cooperative with a Hill coefficient of 1.4 and is supported by isothermal titration calorimetry. The importance of the allosteric site was explored by a series of mutations that weaken the second site and that help hold the first substrate in position for proper catalysis. We further measured the coupling efficiency of both the wild-type (WT) enzyme and the mutant enzymes. While the WT enzyme exhibits 97% efficiency, each of the variants showed lower catalytic efficiency. Additionally, the variants show decreased spin shifts upon binding of substrate. These results are the first clear example of positive homotropic allostery in a class 1 bacterial P450 with its natural substrate. Combined with our recent results from P450cam showing complex substrate allostery and conformational dynamics, our present study with P450terp indicates that bacterial P450s may not be as simple as once thought and share complex substrate binding properties usually associated with only mammalian P450s.

Molecular Basis of the Recognition of Cholesterol by Cytochrome P450 46A1 along the Major Access Tunnel

CYP46A1 is an important potential target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is the most common neurodegenerative disease among older individuals. However, the binding mechanism between CYP46A1 and substrate cholesterol (CH) has not been clarified and will not be conducive to the research of relevant drug molecules. In this study, we integrated molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and adaptive steered MD simulations to explore the recognition and binding mechanism of CYP46A1 with CH. Two key factors affecting the interaction between CH and CYP46A1 are determined: one is a hydrophobic cavity formed by seven hydrophobic residues (F80, Y109, L112, I222, W368, F371, and T475), which provides nonpolar interactions to stabilize CH, and the other is a hydrogen bond formed by H81 and CH, which ensures the binding direction of CH. In addition, the tunnel analysis results show that tunnel 2a is identified as the primary pathway of CH. The entry of CH induces tunnel 2e to close and tunnel w to open. Our results may provide effective clues for the design of drugs based on the substrate for AD and improve our understanding of the structure-function of CYP46A1.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa cytochrome P450 CYP168A1 is a fatty acid hydroxylase that metabolizes arachidonic acid to the vasodilator 19-HETE

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic human pathogen that is highly prevalent in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). A major problem in treating CF patients infected with P. aeruginosa is the development of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, the identification of novel P. aeruginosa antibiotic drug targets is of the utmost urgency. The genome of P. aeruginosa contains four putative cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) of unknown function that have never before been characterized. Analogous to some of the CYPs from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, these P. aeruginosa CYPs may be important for growth and colonization of CF patients’ lungs. In this study, we cloned, expressed, and characterized CYP168A1 from P. aeruginosa and identified it as a subterminal fatty acid hydroxylase. Spectral binding data and computational modeling of substrates and inhibitors suggest that CYP168A1 has a large, expansive active site and preferentially binds long chain fatty acids and large hydrophobic inhibitors. Furthermore, metabolic experiments confirm that the enzyme is capable of hydroxylating arachidonic acid, an important inflammatory signaling molecule present in abundance in the CF lung, to 19-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (19-HETE; K_m = 41 μM, V_max = 220 pmol/min/nmol P450), a potent vasodilator, which may play a role in the pathogen’s ability to colonize the lung. Additionally, we found that the in vitro metabolism of arachidonic acid is subject to substrate inhibition and is also inhibited by the presence of the antifungal agent ketoconazole. This study identifies a new metabolic pathway in this important human pathogen that may be of utility in treating P. aeruginosa infections.

Updating the Paradigm: Redox Partner Binding and Conformational Dynamics in Cytochromes P450

This Account summarizes recent findings centered on the role that redox partner binding, allostery, and conformational dynamics plays in cytochrome P450 proton coupled electron transfer. P450s are one of Nature's largest enzyme families and it is not uncommon to find a P450 wherever substrate oxidation is required in the formation of essential molecules critical to the life of the organism or in xenobiotic detoxification. P450s can operate on a remarkably large range of substrates from the very small to the very large, yet the overall P450 three-dimensional structure is conserved. Given this conservation of structure, it is generally assumed that the basic catalytic mechanism is conserved. In nearly all P450s, the O₂ O-O bond must be cleaved heterolytically enabling one oxygen atom, the distal oxygen, to depart as water and leave behind a heme iron-linked O atom as the powerful oxidant that is used to activate the nearby substrate. For this process to proceed efficiently, externally supplied electrons and protons are required. Two protons must be added to the departing O atom while an electron is transferred from a redox partner that typically contains either a Fe₂S₂ or FMN redox center. The paradigm P450 used to unravel the details of these mechanisms has been the bacterial CYP101A1 or P450cam. P450cam is specific for its own Fe₂S₂ redox partner, putidaredoxin or Pdx, and it has long been postulated that Pdx plays an effector/allosteric role by possibly switching P450cam to an active conformation. Crystal structures, spectroscopic data, and direct binding experiments of the P450cam-Pdx complex provide some answers. Pdx shifts the conformation of P450cam to a more open state, a transition that is postulated to trigger the proton relay network required for O₂ activation. An essential part of this proton relay network is a highly conserved Asp (sometimes Glu) that is known to be critical for activity in a number of P450s. How this Asp and proton delivery networks are connected to redox partner binding is quite simple. In the closed state, this Asp is tied down by salt bridges, but these salt bridges are ruptured when Pdx binds, leaving the Asp free to serve its role in proton transfer. An alternative hypothesis suggests that a specific proton relay network is not really necessary. In this scenario, the Asp plays a structural role in the open/close transition and merely opening the active site access channel is sufficient to enable solvent protons in for O₂ protonation. Experiments designed to test these various hypotheses have revealed some surprises in both P450cam and other bacterial P450s. Molecular dynamics and crystallography show that P450cam can undergo rather significant conformational gymnastics that result in a large restructuring of the active site requiring multiple cis/trans proline isomerizations. It also has been found that X-ray driven substrate hydroxylation is a useful tool for better understanding the role that the essential Asp and surrounding residues play in catalysis. Here we summarize these recent results which provide a much more dynamic picture of P450 catalysis.

A Conserved Allosteric Site on Drug-Metabolizing CYPs: A Systematic Computational Assessment

Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) are the largest group of enzymes involved in human drug metabolism. Ligand tunnels connect their active site buried at the core of the membrane-anchored protein to the surrounding solvent environment. Recently, evidence of a superficial allosteric site, here denoted as hotspot 1 (H1), involved in the regulation of ligand access in a soluble prokaryotic CYP emerged. Here, we applied multi-scale computational modeling techniques to study the conservation and functionality of this allosteric site in the nine most relevant mammalian CYPs responsible for approximately 70% of drug metabolism. In total, we systematically analyzed over 44 μs of trajectories from conventional MD, cosolvent MD, and metadynamics simulations. Our bioinformatic analysis and simulations with organic probe molecules revealed the site to be well conserved in the CYP2 family with the exception of CYP2E1. In the presence of a ligand bound to the H1 site, we could observe an enlargement of a ligand tunnel in several members of the CYP2 family. Further, we could detect the facilitation of ligand translocation by H1 interactions with statistical significance in CYP2C8 and CYP2D6, even though all other enzymes except for CYP2C19, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4 presented a similar trend. As the detailed comprehension of ligand access and egress phenomena remains one of the most relevant challenges in the field, this work contributes to its elucidation and ultimately helps in estimating the selectivity of metabolic transformations using computational techniques.

Partial Opening of Cytochrome P450cam (CYP101A1) Is Driven by Allostery and Putidaredoxin Binding

Cytochrome P450cam (CYP101A1) catalyzes the regio- and stereo-specific 5-exo-hydroxylation of camphor via a multistep catalytic cycle that involves two-electron transfer steps, with an absolute requirement that the second electron be donated by the ferrodoxin, putidaredoxin (Pdx). Whether P450cam, once camphor has bound to the active site and the substrate entry channel has closed, opens up upon Pdx binding, during the second electron transfer step, or it remains closed is still a matter of debate. A potential allosteric site for camphor binding has been identified and postulated to play a role in the binding of Pdx. Here, we have revisited paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy data and determined a heterogeneous ensemble of structures that explains the data, provides a complete representation of the P450cam/Pdx complex in solution, and reconciles alternative hypotheses. The allosteric camphor binding site is always present, and the conformational changes induced by camphor binding to this site facilitates Pdx binding. We also determined that the state to which Pdx binds comprises an ensemble of structures that have features of both the open and closed state. These results demonstrate that there is a finely balanced interaction between allosteric camphor binding and the binding of Pdx at high camphor concentrations.

Development of MEMS directed evolution strategy for multiplied throughput and convergent evolution of cytochrome P450 enzymes

Directed evolution (DE) inspired by natural evolution (NE) has been achieving tremendous successes in protein/enzyme engineering. However, the conventional "one-protein-for-one-task" DE cannot match the "multi-proteins-for-multi-tasks" NE in terms of screening throughput and efficiency, thus often failing to meet the fast-growing demands for biocatalysts with desired properties. In this study, we design a novel "multi-enzymes-for-multi-substrates" (MEMS) DE model and establish the proof-of-concept by running a NE-mimicking and higher-throughput screening on the basis of "two-P450s-against-seven-substrates" (2P×7S) in one pot. With the multiplied throughput and improved hit rate, we witness a series of convergent evolution events of the two archetypal cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450 BM3 and P450cam) in laboratory. It is anticipated that the new strategy of MEMS DE will find broader application for a larger repertoire of enzymes in the future. Furthermore, structural and substrate docking analysis of the two functionally convergent P450 variants provide important insights into how distinct P450 active-sites can reach a common catalytic goal.

Synthesis and kinetic characterization of hyperbolic inhibitors of human cathepsins K and S based on a succinimide scaffold

Cathepsins K and S are closely related papain-like cysteine peptidases and potential therapeutic targets for metabolic and inflammatory diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis. Here we describe the reduction of a previously characterized succinimide (2,5-dioxopyrrolidine)-containing hyperbolic inhibitor of cathepsin K (methyl (RS)-N-[1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-3-yl]glycinate), to obtain a better and more selective compound (compound 4a - methyl (2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-3-yl)glycinate), which acted as a hyperbolic mixed inhibitor/activator similar to already known allosteric effectors of cathepsin K. We then investigated the potential of the succinimide scaffold as inhibitors of cathepsins K and/or S and synthesized a library of such compounds by 1,4-addition of α-amino acid esters and related compounds to N-substituted maleimides. From the generated library, we identified the first small molecule hyperbolic inhibitors of cathepsin S (methyl ((R)-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-l-threoninate (compound R-4c) and 3-{[(1S,2R,3'S)-2-hydroxycyclohexyl]amino}pyrrolidine-2,5-dione (compound (1S,2R,3'S-10)). The former acted via a similar mechanism to compound 4a, while the latter was a hyperbolic specific inhibitor of cathepsin S. Given the versatility of the scaffold, the identified compounds will be used as the basis for the development of high-affinity hyperbolic inhibitors of the individual peptidases and to explore the potential of hyperbolic inhibitors for the inhibition of cysteine cathepsins in in vitro models.

Impacts of mutations on dynamic allostery of adenylate kinase

Escherichia coli adenylate kinase (AK) is composed of CORE domain and two branch domains: LID and AMP-binding domain (AMPbd). AK exhibits considerable allostery in a reversible phosphoryl transfer reaction, which is largely attributed to the relative motion of LID and AMPbd with respect to CORE. Such an allosteric conformational change is also evident in the absence of ligands. Recent studies showed that the mutations in branch domains can adjust dynamic allostery and alter the substrate affinity and enzyme activity. In this work, we use all-atom molecular dynamics simulation to study the impacts of mutations in branch domains on AK's dynamic allostery by comparing two double mutants, i.e., LID mutant (Val135Gly, Val142Gly) and AMPbd mutant (Ala37Gly, Ala55Gly), with wild-type. Two mutants undergo considerable conformational fluctuation and exhibit deviation from the initially extended apo state to more compact structures. The LID domain in the LID mutant adjusts its relative position and firmly adheres to CORE. More strikingly, AMPbd mutations affect the relative positions of both the AMPbd domain and remote LID domain. Both domains undergo considerable movement, especially the inherent hinge swing motion of the flexible LID domain. In both mutants, the mutations can enhance the inter-domain interaction. The results about the conformation change of AK in both mutants are in line with the experiment of AK's affinity and activity. As revealed by our findings, the flexibility of branch domains and their inherent motions, especially LID domain, is highly relevant to dynamic allostery in the AK system.

Two β-Lactamase Variants with Reduced Clavulanic Acid Inhibition Display Different Millisecond Dynamics

The β-lactamase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, BlaC, is susceptible to inhibition by clavulanic acid. The ability of this enzyme to escape inhibition through mutation was probed using error-prone PCR combined with functional screening in Escherichia coli. The variant that was found to confer the most inhibitor resistance, K234R, as well as variant G132N that was found previously were characterized using X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation experiments to probe structural and dynamic properties. The G132N mutant exists in solution in two almost equally populated conformations that exchange with a rate of ca. 88 s-1. The conformational change affects a broad region of the enzyme. The crystal structure reveals that the Asn132 side chain forces the peptide bond between Ser104 and Ile105 in a cis-conformation. The crystal structure suggests multiple conformations for several side chains (e.g., Ser104 and Ser130) and a short loop (positions 214 to 216). In the K234R mutant, the active-site dynamics are significantly diminished with respect to the wild-type enzyme. These results show that multiple evolutionary routes are available to increase inhibitor resistance in BlaC and that active-site dynamics on the millisecond time scale are not required for catalytic function.

Kinetic Evidence for an Induced Fit Mechanism in the Binding of the Substrate Camphor by Cytochrome P450cam

Bacterial cytochrome P450 (P450) 101A1 (P450cam) has served as a prototype among the P450 enzymes and has high catalytic activity towards its cognate substrate, camphor. X-ray crystallography and NMR and IR spectroscopy have demonstrated the existence of multiple conformations of many P450s, including P450cam. Kinetic studies have indicated that substrate binding to several P450s is dominated by a conformational selection process, in which the substrate binds an individual conformer(s) of the unliganded enzyme. P450cam was found to differ in that binding of the substrate camphor is dominated by an induced fit mechanism, in which the enzyme binds camphor and then changes conformation, as evidenced by the equivalence of binding eigenvalues observed when varying both camphor and P450cam concentrations. The accessory protein putidaredoxin had no effect on substrate binding. Estimation of the rate of dissociation of the P450cam·camphor complex (15 s-1) and fitting of the data yield a minimal kinetic mechanism in which camphor binds (1.5 × 107 M-1 s-1) and the initial P450cam•camphor complex undergoes a reversible equilibrium (k forward 112 s-1, k reverse 28 s-1) to a final complex. This induced fit mechanism differs from those reported for several mammalian P450s and bacterial P450BM-3, indicative of the diversity of how P450s recognize multiple substrates. However, similar behavior was not observed with the alternate substrates (+)-α-pinene and 2-adamantanone, which probably utilize a conformational selection process.

Unexpected Differences between Two Closely Related Bacterial P450 Camphor Monooxygenases

The bacterial cytochrome P450cam catalyzes the oxidation of camphor to 5-exo-hydroxycamphor as the first step in the oxidative assimilation of camphor as a carbon/energy source. CYP101D1 is another bacterial P450 that catalyzes the same reaction. A third P450 (P450tcu) has recently been discovered that has ≈86% sequence identity to P450cam as well as very similar enzymatic properties. P450tcu, however, exhibits three unusual features not found in P450cam. First, we observe product in at least two orientations in the X-ray structure that indicates that, unlike the case for P450cam, X-ray-generated reducing equivalents can drive substrate hydroxylation in crystallo. We postulate, on the basis of molecular dynamics simulations, that greater flexibility in P450tcu enables easier access of protons to the active site and, together with X-ray driven reduction, results in O₂ activation and substrate hydroxylation. Second, the characteristic low-spin to high-spin transition when camphor binds occurs immediately with P450cam but is very slow in P450tcu. Third, isothermal titration calorimetry shows that in P450cam substrate binding is entropically driven with a ΔH of >0 while in P450tcu with a ΔH of <0 with a more modest change in -TΔS. These results indicate that despite nearly identical structures and enzymatic properties, these two P450s exhibit quite different properties most likely related to differences in conformational dynamics.

Mechanistic Insights into the Regio- and Stereoselectivities of Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Hydroxylation Catalyzed by CYP3A4 and CYP19A1

The hydroxylation of nonreactive C-H bonds can be easily catalyzed by a variety of metalloenzymes, especially cytochrome P450s (P450s). The mechanism of P450 mediated hydroxylation has been intensively studied, both experimentally and theoretically. However, understanding the regio- and stereoselectivities of substrates hydroxylated by P450s remains a great challenge. Herein, we use a multi-scale modeling approach to investigate the selectivity of testosterone (TES) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) hydroxylation catalyzed by two important P450s, CYP3A4 and CYP19A1. For CYP3A4, two distinct binding modes for TES/DHT were predicted by dockings and molecular dynamics simulations, in which the experimentally identified sites of metabolism of TES/DHT can access to the catalytic center. The regio- and stereoselectivities of TES/DHT hydroxylation were further evaluated by quantum mechanical and ONIOM calculations. For CYP19A1, we found that sites 1β, 2β and 19 can access the catalytic center, with the intrinsic reactivity 2β>1β>19. However, our ONIOM calculations indicate that the hydroxylation is favored at site 19 for both TES and DHT, which is consistent with the experiments and reflects the importance of the catalytic environment in determining the selectivity. Our study unravels the mechanism underlying the selectivity of TES/DHT hydroxylation mediated by CYP3A4 and CYP19A1 and is helpful for understanding the selectivity of other substrates that are hydroxylated by P450s.

All-Atom Simulations Disclose How Cytochrome Reductase Reshapes the Substrate Access/Egress Routes of Its Partner CYP450s

Cytochromes P450 enzymes (CYP450s) promote the oxidative metabolism of a variety of substrates via the electrons supplied by the cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) and upon formation of a CPR/CYP450 adduct. In spite of the pivotal regulatory importance of this process, the impact of CPR binding on the functional properties of its partner CYP450 remains elusive. By performing multiple microsecond-long all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of a 520 000-atom model of a CPR/CYP450 adduct embedded in a membrane mimic, we disclose the molecular terms for their interactions, considering the aromatase (HA) enzyme as a proxy of the CYP450 family. Our study strikingly unveils that CPR binding alters HA's functional motions, bolstering a change in the shape and type of the channels traveled by substrates/products during their access/egress to/from the enzyme's active site. Our outcomes unprecedentedly contribute to extricate the many entangled facets of the CYP450 metabolon, redrafting its intricate panorama from an atomic-level perspective.

Spontaneous Ligand Access Events to Membrane-Bound Cytochrome P450 2D6 Sampled at Atomic Resolution

The membrane-anchored enzyme Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is involved in the metabolism of around 25% of marketed drugs and its metabolic performance shows a high interindividual variation. While it was suggested that ligands access the buried active site of the enzyme from the membrane, no proof from unbiased simulations has been provided to support this hypothesis. Laboratory experiments fail to capture the access process which is suspected to influence binding kinetics. Here, we applied unbiased molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the access of ligands to wild-type CYP2D6, as well as the allelic variant CYP2D6*53. In multiple simulations, substrates accessed the active site of the enzyme from the protein-membrane interface to ultimately adopt a conformation that would allow a metabolic reaction. We propose the necessary steps for ligand access and the results suggest that the increased metabolic activity of CYP2D6*53 might be caused by a facilitated ligand uptake.

Proton relay network in P450cam formed upon docking of putidaredoxin

Cytochromes P450 are versatile heme-based enzymes responsible for vital life processes. Of these, P450cam (substrate camphor) has been most studied. Despite this, precise mechanisms of the key O─O cleavage step remain partly elusive to date; effects observed in various enzyme mutants remain partly unexplained. We have carried out extended (to 1000 ns) MM-MD and follow-on quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics computations, both on the well-studied FeOO state and on Cpd(0) (compound 0). Our simulations include (all camphor-bound): (a) WT (wild type), FeOO state. (b) WT, Cpd(0). (c) Pdx (Putidaredoxin, redox partner of P450)-docked-WT, FeOO state. (d) Pdx-docked WT, Cpd(0). (e) Pdx-docked T252A mutant, Cpd(0). Among our key findings: (a) Effect of Pdx docking appears to go far beyond that indicated in prior studies: it leads to specific alterations in secondary structure that create the crucial proton relay network. (b) Specific proton relay networks we identify are: FeOO(H)⋯T252⋯nH ₂ O⋯D251 in WT; FeOO(H)⋯nH ₂ O⋯D251 in T252A mutant; both occur with Pdx docking. (c) Direct interaction of D251 with -FeOOH is, respectively, rare/frequent in WT/T252A mutant. (d) In WT, T252 is in the proton relay network. (e) Positioning of camphor appears significant: when camphor is part of H-bonding network, second protonation appears to be facilitated.

Human cytochrome P450 enzymes bind drugs and other substrates mainly through conformational-selection modes

Cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes are major catalysts involved in the oxidations of most drugs, steroids, carcinogens, fat-soluble vitamins, and natural products. The binding of substrates to some of the 57 human P450s and other mammalian P450s is more complex than a two-state system and has been proposed to involve mechanisms such as multiple ligand occupancy, induced-fit, and conformational-selection. Here, we used kinetic analysis of binding with multiple concentrations of substrates and computational modeling of these data to discern possible binding modes of several human P450s. We observed that P450 2D6 binds its ligand rolapitant in a mechanism involving conformational-selection. P450 4A11 bound the substrate lauric acid via conformational-selection, as did P450 2C8 with palmitic acid. Binding of the steroid progesterone to P450 21A2 was also best described by a conformational-selection model. Hexyl isonicotinate binding to P450 2E1 could be described by either a conformational-selection or an induced-fit model. Simulation of the binding of the ligands midazolam, bromocriptine, testosterone, and ketoconazole to P450 3A4 was consistent with an induced-fit or a conformational-selection model, but the concentration dependence of binding rates for varying both P450 3A4 and midazolam concentrations revealed discordance in the parameters, indicative of conformational-selection. Binding of the P450s 2C8, 2D6, 3A4, 4A11, and 21A2 was best described by conformational-selection, and P450 2E1 appeared to fit either mode. These findings highlight the complexity of human P450-substrate interactions and that conformational-selection is a dominant feature of many of these interactions.

Conformational selection dominates binding of steroids to human cytochrome P450 17A1

Cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) enzymes are the major catalysts involved in the oxidation of steroids as well as many other compounds. Their versatility has been explained in part by flexibility of the proteins and complexity of the binding mechanisms. However, whether these proteins bind their substrates via induced fit or conformational selection is not understood. P450 17A1 has a major role in steroidogenesis, catalyzing the two-step oxidations of progesterone and pregnenolone to androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone, respectively, via 17α-hydroxy (OH) intermediates. We examined the interaction of P450 17A1 with its steroid substrates by analyzing progress curves (UV-visible spectroscopy), revealing that the rates of binding of any of these substrates decreased with increasing substrate concentration, a hallmark of conformational selection. Further, when the concentration of 17α-OH pregnenolone was held constant and the P450 concentration increased, the binding rate increased, and such opposite patterns are also diagnostic of conformational selection. Kinetic simulation modeling was also more consistent with conformational selection than with an induced-fit mechanism. Cytochrome b ₅ partially enhances P450 17A1 lyase activity by altering the P450 17A1 conformation but did not measurably alter the binding of 17α-OH pregnenolone or 17α-OH progesterone, as judged by the apparent K_d and binding kinetics. The P450 17A1 inhibitor abiraterone also bound to P450 17A1 in a multistep manner, and modeling indicated that the selective inhibition of the two P450 17A1 steps by the drug orteronel can be rationalized only by a multiple-conformation model. In conclusion, P450 17A1 binds its steroid substrates via conformational selection.

An Intermediate Conformational State of Cytochrome P450cam-CN in Complex with Putidaredoxin

Cytochrome P450cam is an archetypal example of the vast family of heme monooxygenases and serves as a model for an enzyme that is highly specific for both its substrate and reductase. During catalysis, it undergoes significant conformational changes of the F and G helices upon binding its substrate and redox partner, putidaredoxin (Pdx). Recent studies have shown that Pdx binding to the closed camphor-bound form of ferric P450cam results in its conversion to a fully open state. However, during catalytic turnover, it remains unclear whether this same conformational change also occurs or whether it is coupled to the formation of the critical compound I intermediate. Here, we have examined P450cam bound simultaneously by camphor, CN^-, and Pdx as a mimic of the catalytically competent ferrous oxy-P450cam-Pdx state. The combined use of double electron-electron resonance and molecular dynamics showed direct observation of intermediate conformational states of the enzyme upon CN^- and subsequent Pdx binding. This state is coupled to the movement of the I helix and residues at the active site, including Arg-186, Asp-251, and Thr-252. These movements enable occupation of a water molecule that has been implicated in proton delivery and peroxy bond cleavage to give compound I. These findings provide a detailed understanding of how the Pdx-induced conformational change may sequentially promote compound I formation followed by product release, while retaining stereoselective hydroxylation of the substrate of this highly specific monooxygenase.

Ligand and Redox Partner Binding Generates a New Conformational State in Cytochrome P450cam (CYP101A1)

It has become increasingly clear that cytochromes P450 can cycle back and forth between two extreme conformational states termed the closed and open states. In the well-studied cytochrome P450cam, the binding of its redox partner, putidaredoxin (Pdx), shifts P450cam toward the open state. Shifting to the open state is thought to be important in the formation of a proton relay network essential for O-O bond cleavage and formation of the active Fe(IV)═O intermediate. Another important intermediate is the oxy-P450cam complex when bound to Pdx. Trapping this intermediate in crystallo is challenging owing to its instability, but the CN^- complex is both stable and an excellent mimic of the O₂ complex. Here we present the P450cam-Pdx structure complexed with CN^-. CN^- results in large conformational changes including cis/trans isomerization of proline residues. Changes include large rearrangements of active-site residues and the formation of new active-site access channel that we have termed channel 2. The formation of channel 2 has also been observed in our previous molecular dynamics simulations wherein substrate binding to an allosteric site remote from the active site opens up channel 2. This new structure supports an extensive amount of previous work showing that distant regions of the structure are dynamically coupled and underscores the potentially important role that large conformational changes and dynamics play in P450 catalysis.