1
|
Jin Y, Lu Y. Syntrophic Propionate Oxidation: One of the Rate-Limiting Steps of Organic Matter Decomposition in Anoxic Environments. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0038423. [PMID: 37097179 PMCID: PMC10231205 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00384-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Syntrophic propionate oxidation is one of the rate-limiting steps during anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in anoxic environments. Syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacteria (SPOB) are members of the "rare biosphere" living at the edge of the thermodynamic limit in most natural habitats. Hitherto, only 10 bacterial species capable of syntrophic propionate oxidization have been identified. SPOB employ different metabolisms for propionate oxidation (e.g., methylmalonyl-CoA pathway and C6 dismutation pathway) and show diverse life strategies (e.g., obligately and facultatively syntrophic lifestyle). The flavin-based electron bifurcation/confurcation (FBEB/C) systems have been proposed to help solve the thermodynamic dilemma during the formation of the low-potential products H2 and formate. Molecular ecological approaches, such as DNA stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) and metagenomics, have been used to detect SPOB in natural environments. Furthermore, the biogeographical pattern of SPOB has been recently described in paddy soils. A comprehensive understanding of SPOB is essential for better predicting and managing organic matter decomposition and carbon cycling in anoxic environments. In this review, we described the critical role of syntrophic propionate oxidation in anaerobic decomposition of organic matter, phylogenetic and metabolic diversity, life strategies and ecophysiology, composition of syntrophic partners, and pattern of biogeographic distribution of SPOB in natural environments. We ended up with a few perspectives for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Jin
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yahai Lu
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Furlan C, Chongdar N, Gupta P, Lubitz W, Ogata H, Blaza JN, Birrell JA. Structural insight on the mechanism of an electron-bifurcating [FeFe] hydrogenase. eLife 2022; 11:79361. [PMID: 36018003 PMCID: PMC9499530 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Electron bifurcation is a fundamental energy conservation mechanism in nature in which two electrons from an intermediate-potential electron donor are split so that one is sent along a high-potential pathway to a high-potential acceptor and the other is sent along a low-potential pathway to a low-potential acceptor. This process allows endergonic reactions to be driven by exergonic ones and is an alternative, less recognized, mechanism of energy coupling to the well-known chemiosmotic principle. The electron-bifurcating [FeFe] hydrogenase from Thermotoga maritima (HydABC) requires both NADH and ferredoxin to reduce protons generating hydrogen. The mechanism of electron bifurcation in HydABC remains enigmatic in spite of intense research efforts over the last few years. Structural information may provide the basis for a better understanding of spectroscopic and functional information. Here, we present a 2.3 Å electron cryo-microscopy structure of HydABC. The structure shows a heterododecamer composed of two independent 'halves' each made of two strongly interacting HydABC heterotrimers connected via a [4Fe-4S] cluster. A central electron transfer pathway connects the active sites for NADH oxidation and for proton reduction. We identified two conformations of a flexible iron-sulfur cluster domain: a 'closed bridge' and an 'open bridge' conformation, where a Zn2+ site may act as a 'hinge' allowing domain movement. Based on these structural revelations, we propose a possible mechanism of electron bifurcation in HydABC where the flavin mononucleotide serves a dual role as both the electron bifurcation center and as the NAD+ reduction/NADH oxidation site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Furlan
- Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, The University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Nipa Chongdar
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Pooja Gupta
- Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, The University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Wolfgang Lubitz
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Hideaki Ogata
- Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan.,Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, Hyogo, Japan
| | - James N Blaza
- Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, The University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - James A Birrell
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Graham JE, Niks D, Zane GM, Gui Q, Hom K, Hille R, Wall JD, Raman CS. How a Formate Dehydrogenase Responds to Oxygen: Unexpected O 2 Insensitivity of an Enzyme Harboring Tungstopterin, Selenocysteine, and [4Fe–4S] Clusters. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joel E. Graham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland21201, United States
| | - Dimitri Niks
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, California92521, United States
| | - Grant M. Zane
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri65211, United States
| | - Qin Gui
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri65211, United States
| | - Kellie Hom
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland21201, United States
| | - Russ Hille
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, California92521, United States
| | - Judy D. Wall
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri65211, United States
| | - C. S. Raman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland21201, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
An uncharacteristically low-potential flavin governs the energy landscape of electron bifurcation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2117882119. [PMID: 35290111 PMCID: PMC8944662 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117882119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Nature has long been an inspiration for materials design, as it exemplifies exquisite control of both matter and energy. Electron bifurcation, a mechanism employed in biological systems to drive thermodynamically unfavorable and energetically challenging chemical reactions, is one such example. A key feature of bifurcating enzymes is the ability of a single redox cofactor to distribute a pair of electrons across two spatially separated electron transfer pathways. Here, we report on the empirical determination of both the one-electron potential and two-electron potential of the bifurcating flavin cofactor in the NADH-dependent ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase I (NfnSL) enzyme. Insights arising from the defined energy landscape of this bifurcation site may underlie the design of synthetic catalysts capable of generating high-energy intermediates. Electron bifurcation, an energy-conserving process utilized extensively throughout all domains of life, represents an elegant means of generating high-energy products from substrates with less reducing potential. The coordinated coupling of exergonic and endergonic reactions has been shown to operate over an electrochemical potential of ∼1.3 V through the activity of a unique flavin cofactor in the enzyme NADH-dependent ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase I. The inferred energy landscape has features unprecedented in biochemistry and presents novel energetic challenges, the most intriguing being a large thermodynamically uphill step for the first electron transfer of the bifurcation reaction. However, ambiguities in the energy landscape at the bifurcating site deriving from overlapping flavin spectral signatures have impeded a comprehensive understanding of the specific mechanistic contributions afforded by thermodynamic and kinetic factors. Here, we elucidate an uncharacteristically low two-electron potential of the bifurcating flavin, resolving the energetic challenge of the first bifurcation event.
Collapse
|
5
|
Feng X, Schut GJ, Haja DK, Adams MWW, Li H. Structure and electron transfer pathways of an electron-bifurcating NiFe-hydrogenase. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm7546. [PMID: 35213221 PMCID: PMC8880783 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm7546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electron bifurcation enables thermodynamically unfavorable biochemical reactions. Four groups of bifurcating flavoenzyme are known and three use FAD to bifurcate. FeFe-HydABC hydrogenase represents the fourth group, but its bifurcation site is unknown. We report cryo-EM structures of the related NiFe-HydABCSL hydrogenase that reversibly oxidizes H2 and couples endergonic reduction of ferredoxin with exergonic reduction of NAD. FMN surrounded by a unique arrangement of iron sulfur clusters forms the bifurcating center. NAD binds to FMN in HydB, and electrons from H2 via HydA to a HydB [4Fe-4S] cluster enable the FMN to reduce NAD. Low-potential electron transfer from FMN to the HydC [2Fe-2S] cluster and subsequent reduction of a uniquely penta-coordinated HydB [2Fe-2S] cluster require conformational changes, leading to ferredoxin binding and reduction by a [4Fe-4S] cluster in HydB. This work clarifies the electron transfer pathways for a large group of hydrogenases underlying many essential functions in anaerobic microorganisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Feng
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Gerrit J. Schut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Dominik K. Haja
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Michael W. W. Adams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Huilin Li
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yuly JL, Zhang P, Ru X, Terai K, Singh N, Beratan DN. Efficient and reversible electron bifurcation with either normal or inverted potentials at the bifurcating cofactor. Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
|
7
|
Thompson BL, Heiden ZM. Tuning the reduction potentials of benzoquinone through the coordination to Lewis acids. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:9822-9831. [PMID: 33908513 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp01266e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Electron transfer promoted by the coordination of a substrate molecule to a Lewis acid or hydrogen bonding group is a critical step in many biological and catalytic transformations. This computational study investigates the nature of the interaction between benzoquinone and one and two Lewis acids by examining the influence of Lewis acid strength on the ability to alter the two reduction potentials of the coordinated benzoquinone molecule. To investigate this interaction, the coordination of the neutral (Q), singly reduced ([Q]˙-), and doubly reduced benzoquinone ([Q]2-) molecule to eight Lewis acids was analyzed. Coordination of benzoquinone to a Lewis acid became more favorable by 25 kcal mol-1 with each reduction of the benzoquinone fragment. Coordination of benzoquinone to a Lewis acid also shifted each of the reduction potentials of the coordinated benzoquinone anodically by 0.50 to 1.5 V, depending on the strength of the Lewis acid, with stronger Lewis acids exhibiting a larger effect on the reduction potential. Coordination of a second Lewis acid further altered each of the reduction potentials by an additional 0.70 to 1.6 V. Replacing one of the Lewis acids with a proton resulted in the ability to modify the pKa of the protonated Lewis acid-Q/[Q]˙-/[Q]2- adducts by about 10 pKa units, in addition to being able to alter the ability to transfer a hydrogen atom by 10 kcal mol-1, and the capacity to transfer a hydride by about 30 kcal mol-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brena L Thompson
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zuchan K, Baymann F, Baffert C, Brugna M, Nitschke W. The dyad of the Y-junction- and a flavin module unites diverse redox enzymes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2021; 1862:148401. [PMID: 33684340 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2021.148401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The concomitant presence of two distinctive polypeptide modules, which we have chosen to denominate as the "Y-junction" and the "flavin" module, is observed in 3D structures of enzymes as functionally diverse as complex I, NAD(P)-dependent [NiFe]-hydrogenases and NAD(P)-dependent formate dehydrogenases. Amino acid sequence conservation furthermore suggests that both modules are also part of NAD(P)-dependent [FeFe]-hydrogenases for which no 3D structure model is available yet. The flavin module harbours the site of interaction with the substrate NAD(P) which exchanges two electrons with a strictly conserved flavin moiety. The Y-junction module typically contains four iron-sulphur centres arranged to form a Y-shaped electron transfer conduit and mediates electron transfer between the flavin module and the catalytic units of the respective enzymes. The Y-junction module represents an electron transfer hub with three potential electron entry/exit sites. The pattern of specific redox centres present both in the Y-junction and the flavin module is correlated to present knowledge of these enzymes' functional properties. We have searched publicly accessible genomes for gene clusters containing both the Y-junction and the flavin module to assemble a comprehensive picture of the diversity of enzymes harbouring this dyad of modules and to reconstruct their phylogenetic relationships. These analyses indicate the presence of the dyad already in the last universal common ancestor and the emergence of complex I's EFG-module out of a subgroup of NAD(P)- dependent formate dehydrogenases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kilian Zuchan
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Frauke Baymann
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Carole Baffert
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Myriam Brugna
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 09, France.
| | - Wolfgang Nitschke
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wise CE, Ledinina AE, Yuly JL, Artz JH, Lubner CE. The role of thermodynamic features on the functional activity of electron bifurcating enzymes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2021; 1862:148377. [PMID: 33453185 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2021.148377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Electron bifurcation is a biological mechanism to drive a thermodynamically unfavorable redox reaction through direct coupling with an exergonic reaction. This process allows microorganisms to generate high energy reducing equivalents in order to sustain life and is often found in anaerobic metabolism, where the energy economy of the cell is poor. Recent work has revealed details of the redox energy landscapes for a variety of electron bifurcating enzymes, greatly expanding the understanding of how energy is transformed by this unique mechanism. Here we highlight the plasticity of these emerging landscapes, what is known regarding their mechanistic underpinnings, and provide a context for interpreting their biochemical activity within the physiological framework. We conclude with an outlook for propelling the field toward an integrative understanding of the impact of electron bifurcation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jacob H Artz
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kirschning A. The coenzyme/protein pair and the molecular evolution of life. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 38:993-1010. [PMID: 33206101 DOI: 10.1039/d0np00037j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2020What was first? Coenzymes or proteins? These questions are archetypal examples of causal circularity in living systems. Classically, this "chicken-and-egg" problem was discussed for the macromolecules RNA, DNA and proteins. This report focuses on coenzymes and cofactors and discusses the coenzyme/protein pair as another example of causal circularity in life. Reflections on the origin of life and hypotheses on possible prebiotic worlds led to the current notion that RNA was the first macromolecule, long before functional proteins and hence DNA. So these causal circularities of living systems were solved by a time travel into the past. To tackle the "chicken-and-egg" problem of the protein-coenzyme pair, this report addresses this problem by looking for clues (a) in the first hypothetical biotic life forms such as protoviroids and the last unified common ancestor (LUCA) and (b) in considerations and evidence of the possible prebiotic production of amino acids and coenzymes before life arose. According to these considerations, coenzymes and cofactors can be regarded as very old molecular players in the origin and evolution of life, and at least some of them developed independently of α-amino acids, which here are evolutionarily synonymous with proteins. Discussions on "chicken-and-egg" problems open further doors to the understanding of evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kirschning
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Zentrum für Biomolekulare Wirkstoffchemie (BMWZ), Leibniz Universität Hannover, Schneiderberg 1B, D-30167 Hannover, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Das A, Hessin C, Ren Y, Desage-El Murr M. Biological concepts for catalysis and reactivity: empowering bioinspiration. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:8840-8867. [PMID: 33107878 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00914h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Biological systems provide attractive reactivity blueprints for the design of challenging chemical transformations. Emulating the operating mode of natural systems may however not be so easy and direct translation of structural observations does not always afford the anticipated efficiency. Metalloenzymes rely on earth-abundant metals to perform an incredibly wide range of chemical transformations. To do so, enzymes in general have evolved tools and tricks to enable control of such reactivity. The underlying concepts related to these tools are usually well-known to enzymologists and bio(inorganic) chemists but may be a little less familiar to organometallic chemists. So far, the field of bioinspired catalysis has greatly focused on the coordination sphere and electronic effects for the design of functional enzyme models but might benefit from a paradigm shift related to recent findings in biological systems. The goal of this review is to bring these fields closer together as this could likely result in the development of a new generation of highly efficient bioinspired systems. This contribution covers the fields of redox-active ligands, entatic state reactivity, energy conservation through electron bifurcation, and quantum tunneling for C-H activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnideep Das
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Chimie, UMR CNRS 7177, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Arrigoni F, Rizza F, Vertemara J, Breglia R, Greco C, Bertini L, Zampella G, De Gioia L. Rational Design of Fe 2 (μ-PR 2 ) 2 (L) 6 Coordination Compounds Featuring Tailored Potential Inversion. Chemphyschem 2020; 21:2279-2292. [PMID: 32815583 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202000623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
It was recently discovered that some redox proteins can thermodynamically and spatially split two incoming electrons towards different pathways, resulting in the one-electron reduction of two different substrates, featuring reduction potential respectively higher and lower than the parent reductant. This energy conversion process, referred to as electron bifurcation, is relevant not only from a biochemical perspective, but also for the ground-breaking applications that electron-bifurcating molecular devices could have in the field of energy conversion. Natural electron-bifurcating systems contain a two-electron redox centre featuring potential inversion (PI), i. e. with second reduction easier than the first. With the aim of revealing key factors to tailor the span between first and second redox potentials, we performed a systematic density functional study of a 26-molecule set of models with the general formula Fe2 (μ-PR2 )2 (L)6 . It turned out that specific features such as i) a Fe-Fe antibonding character of the LUMO, ii) presence of electron-donor groups and iii) low steric congestion in the Fe's coordination sphere, are key ingredients for PI. In particular, the synergic effects of i)-iii) can lead to a span between first and second redox potentials larger than 700 mV. More generally, the "molecular recipes" herein described are expected to inspire the synthesis of Fe2 P2 systems with tailored PI, of primary relevance to the design of electron-bifurcating molecular devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Arrigoni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Rizza
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Vertemara
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Breglia
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Greco
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bertini
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zampella
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca De Gioia
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kremp F, Roth J, Müller V. The Sporomusa type Nfn is a novel type of electron-bifurcating transhydrogenase that links the redox pools in acetogenic bacteria. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14872. [PMID: 32913242 PMCID: PMC7483475 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71038-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Flavin-based electron bifurcation is a long hidden mechanism of energetic coupling present mainly in anaerobic bacteria and archaea that suffer from energy limitations in their environment. Electron bifurcation saves precious cellular ATP and enables lithotrophic life of acetate-forming (acetogenic) bacteria that grow on H2 + CO2 by the only pathway that combines CO2 fixation with ATP synthesis, the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway. The energy barrier for the endergonic reduction of NADP+, an electron carrier in the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway, with NADH as reductant is overcome by an electron-bifurcating, ferredoxin-dependent transhydrogenase (Nfn) but many acetogens lack nfn genes. We have purified a ferredoxin-dependent NADH:NADP+ oxidoreductase from Sporomusa ovata, characterized the enzyme biochemically and identified the encoding genes. These studies led to the identification of a novel, Sporomusa type Nfn (Stn), built from existing modules of enzymes such as the soluble [Fe–Fe] hydrogenase, that is widespread in acetogens and other anaerobic bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Kremp
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jennifer Roth
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Volker Müller
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Universal free-energy landscape produces efficient and reversible electron bifurcation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:21045-21051. [PMID: 32801212 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2010815117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, it was unknown how electron-bifurcating systems in nature prevented energy-wasting short-circuiting reactions that have large driving forces, so synthetic electron-bifurcating molecular machines could not be designed and built. The underpinning free-energy landscapes for electron bifurcation were also enigmatic. We predict that a simple and universal free-energy landscape enables electron bifurcation, and we show that it enables high-efficiency bifurcation with limited short-circuiting (the EB scheme). The landscape relies on steep free-energy slopes in the two redox branches to insulate against short-circuiting using an electron occupancy blockade effect, without relying on nuanced changes in the microscopic rate constants for the short-circuiting reactions. The EB scheme thus unifies a body of observations on biological catalysis and energy conversion, and the scheme provides a blueprint to guide future campaigns to establish synthetic electron bifurcation machines.
Collapse
|
15
|
Losey NA, Poudel S, Boyd ES, McInerney MJ. The Beta Subunit of Non-bifurcating NADH-Dependent [FeFe]-Hydrogenases Differs From Those of Multimeric Electron-Bifurcating [FeFe]-Hydrogenases. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1109. [PMID: 32625172 PMCID: PMC7311640 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A non-bifurcating NADH-dependent, dimeric [FeFe]-hydrogenase (HydAB) from Syntrophus aciditrophicus was heterologously produced in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized. Purified recombinant HydAB catalyzed NAD+ reduction coupled to hydrogen oxidation and produced hydrogen from NADH without the involvement of ferredoxin. Hydrogen partial pressures (2.2-40.2 Pa) produced by the purified recombinant HydAB at NADH to NAD+ ratios of 1-5 were similar to the hydrogen partial pressures generated by pure and cocultures of S. aciditrophicus (5.9-36.6 Pa). Thus, the hydrogen partial pressures observed in metabolizing cultures and cocultures of S. aciditrophicus can be generated by HydAB if S. aciditrophicus maintains NADH to NAD+ ratios greater than one. The flavin-containing beta subunits from S. aciditrophicus HydAB and the non-bifurcating NADH-dependent S. wolfei Hyd1ABC share a number of conserved residues with the flavin-containing beta subunits from non-bifurcating NADH-dependent enzymes such as NADH:quinone oxidoreductases and formate dehydrogenases. A number of differences were observed between sequences of these non-bifurcating NADH-dependent enzymes and [FeFe]-hydrogenases and formate dehydrogenases known to catalyze electron bifurcation including differences in the number of [Fe-S] centers and in conserved residues near predicted cofactor binding sites. These differences can be used to distinguish members of these two groups of enzymes and may be relevant to the differences in ferredoxin-dependence and ability to mediate electron-bifurcation. These results show that two phylogenetically distinct syntrophic fatty acid-oxidizing bacteria, Syntrophomonas wolfei a member of the phylum Firmicutes, and S. aciditrophicus, a member of the class Deltaproteobacteria, possess functionally similar [FeFe]-hydrogenases that produce hydrogen from NADH during syntrophic fatty acid oxidation without the involvement of reduced ferredoxin. The reliance on a non-bifurcating NADH-dependent [FeFe]-hydrogenases may explain the obligate requirement that many syntrophic metabolizers have for a hydrogen-using partner microorganism when grown on fatty, aromatic and alicyclic acids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel A Losey
- Department of Plant Biology and Microbiology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Saroj Poudel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Eric S Boyd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Michael J McInerney
- Department of Plant Biology and Microbiology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Chongdar N, Pawlak K, Rüdiger O, Reijerse EJ, Rodríguez-Maciá P, Lubitz W, Birrell JA, Ogata H. Spectroscopic and biochemical insight into an electron-bifurcating [FeFe] hydrogenase. J Biol Inorg Chem 2019; 25:135-149. [PMID: 31823008 PMCID: PMC7064455 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-019-01747-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Abstract The heterotrimeric electron-bifurcating [FeFe] hydrogenase (HydABC) from Thermotoga maritima (Tm) couples the endergonic reduction of protons (H+) by dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) (∆G0 ≈ 18 kJ mol−1) to the exergonic reduction of H+ by reduced ferredoxin (Fdred) (∆G0 ≈ − 16 kJ mol−1). The specific mechanism by which HydABC functions is not understood. In the current study, we describe the biochemical and spectroscopic characterization of TmHydABC recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli and artificially maturated with a synthetic diiron cofactor. We found that TmHydABC catalyzed the hydrogen (H2)-dependent reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in the presence of oxidized ferredoxin (Fdox) at a rate of ≈17 μmol NADH min−1 mg−1. Our data suggest that only one flavin is present in the enzyme and is not likely to be the site of electron bifurcation. FTIR and EPR spectroscopy, as well as FTIR spectroelectrochemistry, demonstrated that the active site for H2 conversion, the H-cluster, in TmHydABC behaves essentially the same as in prototypical [FeFe] hydrogenases, and is most likely also not the site of electron bifurcation. The implications of these results are discussed with respect to the current hypotheses on the electron bifurcation mechanism of [FeFe] hydrogenases. Overall, the results provide insight into the electron-bifurcating mechanism and present a well-defined system for further investigations of this fascinating class of [FeFe] hydrogenases. Graphic abstract ![]()
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00775-019-01747-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nipa Chongdar
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
| | - Krzysztof Pawlak
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Olaf Rüdiger
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Edward J Reijerse
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Patricia Rodríguez-Maciá
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Lubitz
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - James A Birrell
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
| | - Hideaki Ogata
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany. .,Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-19, Nishi-8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0819, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Baffert C, Kpebe A, Avilan L, Brugna M. Hydrogenases and H 2 metabolism in sulfate-reducing bacteria of the Desulfovibrio genus. Adv Microb Physiol 2019; 74:143-189. [PMID: 31126530 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogen metabolism plays a central role in sulfate-reducing bacteria of the Desulfovibrio genus and is based on hydrogenases that catalyze the reversible conversion of protons into dihydrogen. These metabolically versatile microorganisms possess a complex hydrogenase system composed of several enzymes of both [FeFe]- and [NiFe]-type that can vary considerably from one Desulfovibrio species to another. This review covers the molecular and physiological aspects of hydrogenases and H2 metabolism in Desulfovibrio but focuses particularly on our model bacterium Desulfovibrio fructosovorans. The search of hydrogenase genes in more than 30 sequenced genomes provides an overview of the distribution of these enzymes in Desulfovibrio. Our discussion will consider the significance of the involvement of electron-bifurcation in H2 metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carole Baffert
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille, France
| | - Arlette Kpebe
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille, France
| | - Luisana Avilan
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille, France
| | - Myriam Brugna
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Schut GJ, Mohamed-Raseek N, Tokmina-Lukaszewska M, Mulder DW, Nguyen DMN, Lipscomb GL, Hoben JP, Patterson A, Lubner CE, King PW, Peters JW, Bothner B, Miller AF, Adams MWW. The catalytic mechanism of electron-bifurcating electron transfer flavoproteins (ETFs) involves an intermediary complex with NAD<sup/>. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:3271-3283. [PMID: 30567738 PMCID: PMC6398123 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Electron bifurcation plays a key role in anaerobic energy metabolism, but it is a relatively new discovery, and only limited mechanistic information is available on the diverse enzymes that employ it. Herein, we focused on the bifurcating electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrobaculum aerophilum The EtfABCX enzyme complex couples NADH oxidation to the endergonic reduction of ferredoxin and exergonic reduction of menaquinone. We developed a model for the enzyme structure by using nondenaturing MS, cross-linking, and homology modeling in which EtfA, -B, and -C each contained FAD, whereas EtfX contained two [4Fe-4S] clusters. On the basis of analyses using transient absorption, EPR, and optical titrations with NADH or inorganic reductants with and without NAD+, we propose a catalytic cycle involving formation of an intermediary NAD+-bound complex. A charge transfer signal revealed an intriguing interplay of flavin semiquinones and a protein conformational change that gated electron transfer between the low- and high-potential pathways. We found that despite a common bifurcating flavin site, the proposed EtfABCX catalytic cycle is distinct from that of the genetically unrelated bifurcating NADH-dependent ferredoxin NADP+ oxidoreductase (NfnI). The two enzymes particularly differed in the role of NAD+, the resting and bifurcating-ready states of the enzymes, how electron flow is gated, and the two two-electron cycles constituting the overall four-electron reaction. We conclude that P. aerophilum EtfABCX provides a model catalytic mechanism that builds on and extends previous studies of related bifurcating ETFs and can be applied to the large bifurcating ETF family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerrit J Schut
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-7229
| | | | | | - David W Mulder
- the Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, and
| | - Diep M N Nguyen
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-7229
| | - Gina L Lipscomb
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-7229
| | - John P Hoben
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506
| | - Angela Patterson
- the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717
| | - Carolyn E Lubner
- the Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, and
| | - Paul W King
- the Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, and
| | - John W Peters
- the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164
| | - Brian Bothner
- the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717
| | - Anne-Frances Miller
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506
| | - Michael W W Adams
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-7229,
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
The corpus of electron transfer (ET) theory provides considerable power to describe the kinetics and dynamics of electron flow at the nanoscale. How is it, then, that nucleic acid (NA) ET continues to surprise, while protein-mediated ET is relatively free of mechanistic bombshells? I suggest that this difference originates in the distinct electronic energy landscapes for the two classes of reactions. In proteins, the donor/acceptor-to-bridge energy gap is typically several-fold larger than in NAs. NA ET can access tunneling, hopping, and resonant transport among the bases, and fluctuations can enable switching among mechanisms; protein ET is restricted to tunneling among redox active cofactors and, under strongly oxidizing conditions, a few privileged amino acid side chains. This review aims to provide conceptual unity to DNA and protein ET reaction mechanisms. The establishment of a unified mechanistic framework enabled the successful design of NA experiments that switch electronic coherence effects on and off for ET processes on a length scale of multiple nanometers and promises to provide inroads to directing and detecting charge flow in soft-wet matter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David N Beratan
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Physics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA; .,Department of Biochemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Yuly JL, Lubner CE, Zhang P, Beratan DN, Peters JW. Electron bifurcation: progress and grand challenges. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:11823-11832. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cc05611d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Electron bifurcation moves electrons from a two-electron donor to reduce two spatially separated one-electron acceptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry
- Duke University
- Durham
- USA
| | - David N. Beratan
- Department of Physics
- Duke University
- Durham
- USA
- Department of Chemistry
| | - John W. Peters
- Institute of Biological Chemistry
- Washington State University
- Pullman
- USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Schuchmann K, Chowdhury NP, Müller V. Complex Multimeric [FeFe] Hydrogenases: Biochemistry, Physiology and New Opportunities for the Hydrogen Economy. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2911. [PMID: 30564206 PMCID: PMC6288185 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogenases are key enzymes of the energy metabolism of many microorganisms. Especially in anoxic habitats where molecular hydrogen (H2) is an important intermediate, these enzymes are used to expel excess reducing power by reducing protons or they are used for the oxidation of H2 as energy and electron source. Despite the fact that hydrogenases catalyze the simplest chemical reaction of reducing two protons with two electrons it turned out that they are often parts of multimeric enzyme complexes catalyzing complex chemical reactions with a multitude of functions in the metabolism. Recent findings revealed multimeric hydrogenases with so far unknown functions particularly in bacteria from the class Clostridia. The discovery of [FeFe] hydrogenases coupled to electron bifurcating subunits solved the enigma of how the otherwise highly endergonic reduction of the electron carrier ferredoxin can be carried out and how H2 production from NADH is possible. Complexes of [FeFe] hydrogenases with formate dehydrogenases revealed a novel enzymatic coupling of the two electron carriers H2 and formate. These novel hydrogenase enzyme complex could also contribute to biotechnological H2 production and H2 storage, both processes essential for an envisaged economy based on H2 as energy carrier.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Schuchmann
- Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nilanjan Pal Chowdhury
- Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Volker Müller
- Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kpebe A, Benvenuti M, Guendon C, Rebai A, Fernandez V, Le Laz S, Etienne E, Guigliarelli B, García-Molina G, de Lacey AL, Baffert C, Brugna M. A new mechanistic model for an O 2-protected electron-bifurcating hydrogenase, Hnd from Desulfovibrio fructosovorans. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2018; 1859:1302-1312. [PMID: 30463674 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2018.09.364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The genome of the sulfate-reducing and anaerobic bacterium Desulfovibrio fructosovorans encodes different hydrogenases. Among them is Hnd, a tetrameric cytoplasmic [FeFe] hydrogenase that has previously been described as an NADP-specific enzyme (Malki et al., 1995). In this study, we purified and characterized a recombinant Strep-tagged form of Hnd and demonstrated that it is an electron-bifurcating enzyme. Flavin-based electron-bifurcation is a mechanism that couples an exergonic redox reaction to an endergonic one allowing energy conservation in anaerobic microorganisms. One of the three ferredoxins of the bacterium, that was named FdxB, was also purified and characterized. It contains a low-potential (Em = -450 mV) [4Fe4S] cluster. We found that Hnd was not able to reduce NADP+, and that it catalyzes the simultaneous reduction of FdxB and NAD+. Moreover, Hnd is the first electron-bifurcating hydrogenase that retains activity when purified aerobically due to formation of an inactive state of its catalytic site protecting against O2 damage (Hinact). Hnd is highly active with the artificial redox partner (methyl viologen) and can perform the electron-bifurcation reaction to oxidize H2 with a specific activity of 10 μmol of NADH/min/mg of enzyme. Surprisingly, the ratio between NADH and reduced FdxB varies over the reaction with a decreasing amount of FdxB reduced per NADH produced, indicating a more complex mechanism than previously described. We proposed a new mechanistic model in which the ferredoxin is recycled at the hydrogenase catalytic subunit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arlette Kpebe
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 09, France.
| | - Martino Benvenuti
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 09, France.
| | - Chloé Guendon
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 09, France.
| | - Amani Rebai
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Victoria Fernandez
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Sébastien Le Laz
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Emilien Etienne
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 09, France.
| | - Bruno Guigliarelli
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 09, France.
| | | | - Antonio L de Lacey
- Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica, CSIC, c/ Marie Curie 2, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carole Baffert
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 09, France.
| | - Myriam Brugna
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, BIP, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 09, France.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Poudel S, Dunham EC, Lindsay MR, Amenabar MJ, Fones EM, Colman DR, Boyd ES. Origin and Evolution of Flavin-Based Electron Bifurcating Enzymes. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1762. [PMID: 30123204 PMCID: PMC6085437 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Twelve evolutionarily unrelated oxidoreductases form enzyme complexes that catalyze the simultaneous coupling of exergonic and endergonic oxidation–reduction reactions to circumvent thermodynamic barriers and minimize free energy loss in a process known as flavin-based electron bifurcation. Common to these 12 bifurcating (Bf) enzymes are protein-bound flavin, the proposed site of bifurcation, and the electron carrier ferredoxin. Despite the documented role of Bf enzymes in balancing the redox state of intracellular electron carriers and in improving the efficiency of cellular metabolism, a comprehensive description of the diversity and evolutionary history of Bf enzymes is lacking. Here, we report the taxonomic distribution, functional diversity, and evolutionary history of Bf enzyme homologs in 4,588 archaeal, bacterial, and eukaryal genomes and 3,136 community metagenomes. Bf homologs were primarily detected in the genomes of anaerobes, including those of sulfate-reducers, acetogens, fermenters, and methanogens. Phylogenetic analyses of Bf enzyme catalytic subunits (oxidoreductases) suggest they were not a property of the Last Universal Common Ancestor of Archaea and Bacteria, which is consistent with the limited and unique taxonomic distributions of enzyme homologs among genomes. Further, phylogenetic analyses of oxidoreductase subunits reveal that non-Bf homologs predate Bf homologs. These observations indicate that multiple independent recruitments of flavoproteins to existing oxidoreductases enabled coupling of numerous new electron Bf reactions. Consistent with the role of these enzymes in the energy metabolism of anaerobes, homologs of Bf enzymes were enriched in metagenomes from subsurface environments relative to those from surface environments. Phylogenetic analyses of homologs from metagenomes reveal that the earliest evolving homologs of most Bf enzymes are from subsurface environments, including fluids from subsurface rock fractures and hydrothermal systems. Collectively, these data suggest strong selective pressures drove the emergence of Bf enzyme complexes via recruitment of flavoproteins that allowed for an increase in the efficiency of cellular metabolism and improvement in energy capture in anaerobes inhabiting a variety of subsurface anoxic habitats where the energy yield of oxidation-reduction reactions is generally low.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saroj Poudel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Eric C Dunham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Melody R Lindsay
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Maximiliano J Amenabar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Elizabeth M Fones
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Daniel R Colman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Eric S Boyd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Peters JW, Beratan DN, Bothner B, Dyer RB, Harwood CS, Heiden ZM, Hille R, Jones AK, King PW, Lu Y, Lubner CE, Minteer SD, Mulder DW, Raugei S, Schut GJ, Seefeldt LC, Tokmina-Lukaszewska M, Zadvornyy OA, Zhang P, Adams MW. A new era for electron bifurcation. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2018; 47:32-38. [PMID: 30077080 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Electron bifurcation, or the coupling of exergonic and endergonic oxidation-reduction reactions, was discovered by Peter Mitchell and provides an elegant mechanism to rationalize and understand the logic that underpins the Q cycle of the respiratory chain. Thought to be a unique reaction of respiratory complex III for nearly 40 years, about a decade ago Wolfgang Buckel and Rudolf Thauer discovered that flavin-based electron bifurcation is also an important component of anaerobic microbial metabolism. Their discovery spawned a surge of research activity, providing a basis to understand flavin-based bifurcation, forging fundamental parallels with Mitchell's Q cycle and leading to the proposal of metal-based bifurcating enzymes. New insights into the mechanism of electron bifurcation provide a foundation to establish the unifying principles and essential elements of this fascinating biochemical phenomenon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John W Peters
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99163, United States; Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States.
| | - David N Beratan
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Physics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States; Department of Biochemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, United States
| | - Brian Bothner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, United States
| | - R Brian Dyer
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Caroline S Harwood
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Zachariah M Heiden
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99163, United States
| | - Russ Hille
- Biochemistry Department, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, United States
| | - Anne K Jones
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Paul W King
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 8040, United States
| | - Yi Lu
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Carolyn E Lubner
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 8040, United States
| | - Shelley D Minteer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| | - David W Mulder
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 8040, United States
| | - Simone Raugei
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99163, United States; Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States
| | - Gerrit J Schut
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Lance C Seefeldt
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, United States
| | | | - Oleg A Zadvornyy
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99163, United States
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, United States
| | - Michael Ww Adams
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Baymann F, Schoepp-Cothenet B, Duval S, Guiral M, Brugna M, Baffert C, Russell MJ, Nitschke W. On the Natural History of Flavin-Based Electron Bifurcation. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1357. [PMID: 30018596 PMCID: PMC6037941 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Electron bifurcation is here described as a special case of the continuum of electron transfer reactions accessible to two-electron redox compounds with redox cooperativity. We argue that electron bifurcation is foremost an electrochemical phenomenon based on (a) strongly inverted redox potentials of the individual redox transitions, (b) a high endergonicity of the first redox transition, and (c) an escapement-type mechanism rendering completion of the first electron transfer contingent on occurrence of the second one. This mechanism is proposed to govern both the traditional quinone-based and the newly discovered flavin-based versions of electron bifurcation. Conserved and variable aspects of the spatial arrangement of electron transfer partners in flavoenzymes are assayed by comparing the presently available 3D structures. A wide sample of flavoenzymes is analyzed with respect to conserved structural modules and three major structural groups are identified which serve as basic frames for the evolutionary construction of a plethora of flavin-containing redox enzymes. We argue that flavin-based and other types of electron bifurcation are of primordial importance to free energy conversion, the quintessential foundation of life, and discuss a plausible evolutionary ancestry of the mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frauke Baymann
- CNRS, BIP, UMR 7281, IMM FR3479, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | | | - Simon Duval
- CNRS, BIP, UMR 7281, IMM FR3479, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Marianne Guiral
- CNRS, BIP, UMR 7281, IMM FR3479, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Myriam Brugna
- CNRS, BIP, UMR 7281, IMM FR3479, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Carole Baffert
- CNRS, BIP, UMR 7281, IMM FR3479, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Michael J. Russell
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Wolfgang Nitschke
- CNRS, BIP, UMR 7281, IMM FR3479, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|