Characterization of an iron-sulfur flavoprotein from Methanosarcina thermophila

An Active and Versatile Electron Transport System for Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenases from the Alkane Degrading Organism Acinetobacter sp. OC4

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs) are valuable biocatalysts for the oxyfunctionalization of non-activated carbon-hydrogen bonds. Most CYPs rely on electron transport proteins as redox partners. In this study, the ferredoxin reductase (FdR) and ferredoxin (FD) for a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase from Acinetobacter sp. OC4 are investigated. Upon heterologous production of both proteins independently in Escherichia coli, spectral analysis showed their reduction capability towards reporter electron acceptors, e. g., cytochrome c. The individual proteins' specific activity towards cytochrome c reduction was 25 U mg-1. Furthermore, the possibility to enhance electron transfer by artificial fusion of the units was elucidated. FdR and FD were linked by helical linkers [EAAAK]n, flexible glycine linkers [GGGGS]n or rigid proline linkers [EPPPP]n of n=1-4 sequence repetitions. The system with a glycine linker (n=4) reached an appreciable specific activity of 19 U mg-1 towards cytochrome c. Moreover, their ability to drive different members of the CYP153A subfamily is demonstrated. By creating artificial self-sufficient P450s with FdR, FD, and a panel of four CYP153A representatives, effective hydroxylation of n-hexane in a whole-cell system was achieved. The results indicate this protein combination to constitute a functional and versatile surrogate electron transport system for this subfamily.

Iron-sulfur cluster-dependent catalysis of chlorophyllide a oxidoreductase from Roseobacter denitrificans

Bacteriochlorophyll a biosynthesis requires the stereo- and regiospecific two electron reduction of the C7-C8 double bond of chlorophyllide a by the nitrogenase-like multisubunit metalloenzyme, chlorophyllide a oxidoreductase (COR). ATP-dependent COR catalysis requires interaction of the protein subcomplex (BchX)2 with the catalytic (BchY/BchZ)2 protein to facilitate substrate reduction via two redox active iron-sulfur centers. The ternary COR enzyme holocomplex comprising subunits BchX, BchY, and BchZ from the purple bacterium Roseobacter denitrificans was trapped in the presence of the ATP transition state analog ADP·AlF4(-). Electron paramagnetic resonance experiments revealed a [4Fe-4S] cluster of subcomplex (BchX)2. A second [4Fe-4S] cluster was identified on (BchY/BchZ)2. Mutagenesis experiments indicated that the latter is ligated by four cysteines, which is in contrast to the three cysteine/one aspartate ligation pattern of the closely related dark-operative protochlorophyllide a oxidoreductase (DPOR). In subsequent mutagenesis experiments a DPOR-like aspartate ligation pattern was implemented for the catalytic [4Fe-4S] cluster of COR. Artificial cluster formation for this inactive COR variant was demonstrated spectroscopically. A series of chemically modified substrate molecules with altered substituents on the individual pyrrole rings and the isocyclic ring were tested as COR substrates. The COR enzyme was still able to reduce the B ring of substrates carrying modified substituents on ring systems A, C, and E. However, substrates with a modification of the distantly located propionate side chain were not accepted. A tentative substrate binding mode was concluded in analogy to the related DPOR system.

Novel functions of an iron-sulfur flavoprotein from Trichomonas vaginalis hydrogenosomes

Iron-sulfur flavoproteins (Isf) are flavin mononucleotide (FMN)- and FeS cluster-containing proteins commonly encountered in anaerobic prokaryotes. However, with the exception of Isf from Methanosarcina thermophila, which participates in oxidative stress management by removing oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, none of these proteins has been characterized in terms of function. Trichomonas vaginalis, a sexually transmitted eukaryotic parasite of humans, was found to express several iron-sulfur flavoprotein (TvIsf) homologs in its hydrogenosomes. We show here that in addition to having oxygen-reducing activity, the recombinant TvIsf also functions as a detoxifying reductase of metronidazole and chloramphenicol, both of which are antibiotics effective against a variety of anaerobic microbes. TvIsf can utilize both NADH and reduced ferredoxin as electron donors. Given the prevalence of Isf in anaerobic prokaryotes, we propose that these proteins are central to a novel defense mechanism against xenobiotics.

Global analysis of gene expression in response to L-Cysteine deprivation in the anaerobic protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica

Background

Entamoeba histolytica, an enteric protozoan parasite, causes amebic colitis and extra intestinal abscesses in millions of inhabitants of endemic areas. E. histolytica completely lacks glutathione metabolism but possesses L-cysteine as the principle low molecular weight thiol. L-Cysteine is essential for the structure, stability, and various protein functions, including catalysis, electron transfer, redox regulation, nitrogen fixation, and sensing for regulatory processes. Recently, we demonstrated that in E. histolytica, L-cysteine regulates various metabolic pathways including energy, amino acid, and phospholipid metabolism.

Results

In this study, employing custom-made Affymetrix microarrays, we performed time course (3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h) gene expression analysis upon L-cysteine deprivation. We identified that out of 9,327 genes represented on the array, 290 genes encoding proteins with functions in metabolism, signalling, DNA/RNA regulation, electron transport, stress response, membrane transport, vesicular trafficking/secretion, and cytoskeleton were differentially expressed (≥3 fold) at one or more time points upon L-cysteine deprivation. Approximately 60% of these modulated genes encoded proteins of no known function and annotated as hypothetical proteins. We also attempted further functional analysis of some of the most highly modulated genes by L-cysteine depletion.

Conclusions

To our surprise, L-cysteine depletion caused only limited changes in the expression of genes involved in sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism and oxidative stress defense. In contrast, we observed significant changes in the expression of several genes encoding iron sulfur flavoproteins, a major facilitator super-family transporter, regulator of nonsense transcripts, NADPH-dependent oxido-reductase, short chain dehydrogenase, acetyltransferases, and various other genes involved in diverse cellular functions. This study represents the first genome-wide analysis of transcriptional changes induced by L-cysteine deprivation in protozoan parasites, and in eukaryotic organisms where L-cysteine represents the major intracellular thiol.

Two atypical L-cysteine-regulated NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases involved in redox maintenance, L-cystine and iron reduction, and metronidazole activation in the enteric protozoan Entamoeba histolytica

We discovered novel catalytic activities of two atypical NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases (EhNO1/2) from the enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. EhNO1/2 were previously annotated as the small subunit of glutamate synthase (glutamine:2-oxoglutarate amidotransferase) based on similarity to authentic bacterial homologs. As E. histolytica lacks the large subunit of glutamate synthase, EhNO1/2 were presumed to play an unknown role other than glutamine/glutamate conversion. Transcriptomic and quantitative reverse PCR analyses revealed that supplementation or deprivation of extracellular L-cysteine caused dramatic up- or down-regulation, respectively, of EhNO2, but not EhNO1 expression. Biochemical analysis showed that these FAD- and 2[4Fe-4S]-containing enzymes do not act as glutamate synthases, a conclusion which was supported by phylogenetic analyses. Rather, they catalyze the NADPH-dependent reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide and L-cystine to L-cysteine and also function as ferric and ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductases. EhNO1/2 showed notable differences in substrate specificity and catalytic efficiency; EhNO1 had lower K(m) and higher k(cat)/K(m) values for ferric ion and ferredoxin than EhNO2, whereas EhNO2 preferred L-cystine as a substrate. In accordance with these properties, only EhNO1 was observed to physically interact with intrinsic ferredoxin. Interestingly, EhNO1/2 also reduced metronidazole, and E. histolytica transformants overexpressing either of these proteins were more sensitive to metronidazole, suggesting that EhNO1/2 are targets of this anti-amebic drug. To date, this is the first report to demonstrate that small subunit-like proteins of glutamate synthase could play an important role in redox maintenance, L-cysteine/L-cystine homeostasis, iron reduction, and the activation of metronidazole.

Methanogenesis in marine sediments

The anaerobic conversion of complex organic matter to CH(4) is an essential link in the global carbon cycle. In freshwater anaerobic environments, the organic matter is decomposed to CH(4) and CO(2) by a microbial food chain that terminates with methanogens that produce methane primarily by reduction of the methyl group of acetate and also reduction of CO(2). The process also occurs in marine environments, particularly those receiving large loads of organic matter, such as coastal sediments. The great majority of research on methanogens has focused on marine and freshwater CO(2)-reducing species, and freshwater acetate-utilizing species. Recent molecular, biochemical, bioinformatic, proteomic, and microarray analyses of the marine isolate Methanosarcina acetivorans has revealed that the pathway for acetate conversion to methane differs significantly from that in freshwater methanogens. Similar experimental approaches have also revealed striking contrasts with freshwater species for the pathway of CO-dependent CO(2) reduction to methane by M. acetivorans. The differences in both pathways reflect an adaptation by M. acetivorans to the marine environment.

Biosynthesis of the enediyne antitumor antibiotic C-1027 involves a new branching point in chorismate metabolism

C-1027 is an enediyne antitumor antibiotic composed of four distinct moieties: an enediyne core, a deoxy aminosugar, a beta-amino acid, and a benzoxazolinate moiety. We now show that the benzoxazolinate moiety is derived from chorismate by the sequential action of two enzymes-SgcD, a 2-amino-2-deoxyisochorismate (ADIC) synthase and SgcG, an iron-sulfur, FMN-dependent ADIC dehydrogenase-to generate 3-enolpyruvoylanthranilate (OPA), a new intermediate in chorismate metabolism. The functional elucidation and catalytic properties of each enzyme are described, including spectroscopic characterization of the products and the development of a fluorescence-based assay for kinetic analysis. SgcD joins isochorismate (IC) synthase and 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate (ADC) synthase as anthranilate synthase component I (ASI) homologues that are devoid of pyruvate lyase activity inherent in ASI; yet, in contrast to IC and ADC synthase, SgcD has retained the ability to aminate chorismate identically to that observed for ASI. The net conversion of chorismate to OPA by the tandem action of SgcD and SgcG unambiguously establishes a new branching point in chorismate metabolism.

Superoxide generation by chlorophyllide a reductase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Chlorophyllide a reductase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, which were reconstituted with the purified subunits of BchX, BchY, and BchZ, reduced ring B of chlorophyllide a using NADH under anaerobic conditions. Interestingly, suppressor mutations rescuing the inability of R. sphaeroides Fe-SOD mutant to grow in succinate-based minimal medium were predominantly mapped to BchZ subunit of chlorophyllide a reductase. The enzyme is labile in the presence of O(2). However, it generates superoxide at low O(2). The enzymes reconstituted with BchX, BchY, and the mutein subunit of BchZ from suppressor mutants showed less activity not only for chlorophyllide a reduction but also for superoxide generation compared with the enzyme reconstituted with the wild-type subunits. BchX, which contains FMN, and BchY are iron-sulfur proteins, whereas BchZ is a hemoprotein containing b-type heme. Neither chlorophyllide a reduction nor superoxide generation was observed with the enzyme reconstituted with the wild-type subunits of BchX and BchY, and the apo-subunit of BchZ that had been refolded without heme, in which FMN of BchX was fully reduced. Thus, superoxide is generated not from FMN of BchX but from heme of BchZ. Consistently, the heme of BchZ muteins was half-reduced in its redox state compared with that of wild-type BchZ.

Crystal structure of the NADH:quinone oxidoreductase WrbA from Escherichia coli

The flavoprotein WrbA, originally described as a tryptophan (W) repressor-binding protein in Escherichia coli, has recently been shown to exhibit the enzymatic activity of a NADH:quinone oxidoreductase. This finding points toward a possible role in stress response and in the maintenance of a supply of reduced quinone. We have determined the three-dimensional structure of the WrbA holoprotein from E. coli at high resolution (1.66 A), and we observed a characteristic, tetrameric quaternary structure highly similar to the one found in the WrbA homologs of Deinococcus radiodurans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A similar tetramer was originally observed in an iron-sulfur flavoprotein involved in the reduction of reactive oxygen species. Together with other, recently characterized proteins such as YhdA or YLR011wp (Lot6p), these tetrameric flavoproteins may constitute a large family with diverse functions in redox catalysis. WrbA binds substrates at an active site that provides an ideal stacking environment for aromatic moieties, while providing a pocket that is structured to stabilize the ADP part of an NADH molecule in its immediate vicinity. Structures of WrbA in complex with benzoquinone and NADH suggest a sequential binding mechanism for both molecules in the catalytic cycle.

Quantitative proteomic and microarray analysis of the archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans grown with acetate versus methanol

Methanosarcina acetivorans strain C2A is an acetate- and methanol-utilizing methane-producing organism for which the genome, the largest yet sequenced among the Archaea, reveals extensive physiological diversity. LC linear ion trap-FTICR mass spectrometry was employed to analyze acetate- vs methanol-grown cells metabolically labeled with 14N vs 15N, respectively, to obtain quantitative protein abundance ratios. DNA microarray analyses of acetate- vs methanol-grown cells was also performed to determine gene expression ratios. The combined approaches were highly complementary, extending the physiological understanding of growth and methanogenesis. Of the 1081 proteins detected, 255 were > or =3-fold differentially abundant. DNA microarray analysis revealed 410 genes that were > or =2.5-fold differentially expressed of 1972 genes with detected expression. The ratios of differentially abundant proteins were in good agreement with expression ratios of the encoding genes. Taken together, the results suggest several novel roles for electron transport components specific to acetate-grown cells, including two flavodoxins each specific for growth on acetate or methanol. Protein abundance ratios indicated that duplicate CO dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA complexes function in the conversion of acetate to methane. Surprisingly, the protein abundance and gene expression ratios indicated a general stress response in acetate- vs methanol-grown cells that included enzymes specific for polyphosphate accumulation and oxidative stress. The microarray analysis identified transcripts of several genes encoding regulatory proteins with identity to the PhoU, MarR, GlnK, and TetR families commonly found in the Bacteria domain. An analysis of neighboring genes suggested roles in controlling phosphate metabolism (PhoU), ammonia assimilation (GlnK), and molybdopterin cofactor biosynthesis (TetR). Finally, the proteomic and microarray results suggested roles for two-component regulatory systems specific for each growth substrate.

WrbA from Escherichia coli and Archaeoglobus fulgidus is an NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase

WrbA (tryptophan [W] repressor-binding protein) was discovered in Escherichia coli, where it was proposed to play a role in regulation of the tryptophan operon; however, this has been put in question, leaving the function unknown. Here we report a phylogenetic analysis of 30 sequences which indicated that WrbA is the prototype of a distinct family of flavoproteins which exists in a diversity of cell types across all three domains of life and includes documented NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductases (NQOs) from the Fungi and Viridiplantae kingdoms. Biochemical characterization of the prototypic WrbA protein from E. coli and WrbA from Archaeoglobus fulgidus, a hyperthermophilic species from the Archaea domain, shows that these enzymes have NQO activity, suggesting that this activity is a defining characteristic of the WrbA family that we designate a new type of NQO (type IV). For E. coli WrbA, the K(m)(NADH) was 14 +/- 0.43 microM and the K(m)(benzoquinone) was 5.8 +/- 0.12 microM. For A. fulgidus WrbA, the K(m)(NADH) was 19 +/- 1.7 microM and the K(m)(benzoquinone) was 37 +/- 3.6 microM. Both enzymes were found to be homodimeric by gel filtration chromatography and homotetrameric by dynamic light scattering and to contain one flavin mononucleotide molecule per monomer. The NQO activity of each enzyme is retained over a broad pH range, and apparent initial velocities indicate that maximal activities are comparable to the optimum growth temperature for the respective organisms. The results are discussed and implicate WrbA in the two-electron reduction of quinones, protecting against oxidative stress.

Structures of the iron-sulfur flavoproteins from Methanosarcina thermophila and Archaeoglobus fulgidus

Iron-sulfur flavoproteins (ISF) constitute a widespread family of redox-active proteins in anaerobic prokaryotes. Based on sequence homologies, their overall structure is expected to be similar to that of flavodoxins, but in addition to a flavin mononucleotide cofactor they also contain a cubane-type [4Fe:4S] cluster. In order to gain further insight into the function and properties of ISF, the three-dimensional structures of two ISF homologs, one from the thermophilic methanogen Methanosarcina thermophila and one from the hyperthermophilic sulfate-reducing archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus, were determined. The structures indicate that ISF assembles to form a tetramer and that electron transfer between the two types of redox cofactors requires oligomerization to juxtapose the flavin mononucleotide and [4Fe:4S] cluster bound to different subunits. This is only possible between different monomers upon oligomerization. Fundamental differences in the surface properties of the two ISF homologs underscore the diversity encountered within this protein family.

Flavin mononucleotide-binding flavoprotein family in the domain Archaea

The protein (AfpA, for archaeoflavoprotein) encoded by AF1518 in the genome of Archaeoglobus fulgidus was produced in Escherichia coli and characterized. AfpA was found to be a homodimer with a native molecular mass of 43 kDa and containing two noncovalently bound flavin mononucleotides (FMNs). The cell extract of A. fulgidus catalyzed the CO-dependent reduction of AfpA that was stimulated by the addition of ferredoxin. Ferredoxin was found to be a direct electron donor to purified AfpA, whereas rubredoxin was unable to substitute. Neither NADH nor NADPH was an electron donor. Ferricyanide, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, several quinones, ferric citrate, bovine cytochrome c, and O(2) accepted electrons from reduced AfpA, whereas coenzyme F(420) did not. The rate of cytochrome c reduction was enhanced in the presence of O(2) suggesting that superoxide is a product of the interaction of reduced AfpA with O(2). Although AF1518 was previously annotated as encoding a decarboxylase involved in coenzyme A biosynthesis, the results establish that AfpA is an electron carrier protein with ferredoxin as the physiological electron donor. The genomes of several diverse Archaea contained afpA homologs clustered with open reading frames annotated as homologs of genes encoding reductases involved in the oxidative stress response of anaerobes from the domain Bacteria. A potential role for AfpA in coupling electron flow from ferredoxin to the putative reductases is discussed. A search of the databases suggests that AfpA is the prototype of a previously unrecognized flavoprotein family unique to the domain Archaea for which the name archaeoflavoprotein is proposed.

The unique biochemistry of methanogenesis

Methanogenic archaea have an unusual type of metabolism because they use H2 + CO2, formate, methylated C1 compounds, or acetate as energy and carbon sources for growth. The methanogens produce methane as the major end product of their metabolism in a unique energy-generating process. The organisms received much attention because they catalyze the terminal step in the anaerobic breakdown of organic matter under sulfate-limiting conditions and are essential for both the recycling of carbon compounds and the maintenance of the global carbon flux on Earth. Furthermore, methane is an important greenhouse gas that directly contributes to climate changes and global warming. Hence, the understanding of the biochemical processes leading to methane formation are of major interest. This review focuses on the metabolic pathways of methanogenesis that are rather unique and involve a number of unusual enzymes and coenzymes. It will be shown how the previously mentioned substrates are converted to CH4 via the CO2-reducing, methylotrophic, or aceticlastic pathway. All catabolic processes finally lead to the formation of a mixed disulfide from coenzyme M and coenzyme B that functions as an electron acceptor of certain anaerobic respiratory chains. Molecular hydrogen, reduced coenzyme F420, or reduced ferredoxin are used as electron donors. The redox reactions as catalyzed by the membrane-bound electron transport chains are coupled to proton translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane. The resulting electrochemical proton gradient is the driving force for ATP synthesis as catalyzed by an A1A0-type ATP synthase. Other energy-transducing enzymes involved in methanogenesis are the membrane-integral methyltransferase and the formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase complex. The former enzyme is a unique, reversible sodium ion pump that couples methyl-group transfer with the transport of Na+ across the membrane. The formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase is a reversible ion pump that catalyzes formylation and deformylation of methanofuran. Furthermore, the review addresses questions related to the biochemical and genetic characteristics of the energy-transducing enzymes and to the mechanisms of ion translocation.

Iron-sulfur flavoprotein (Isf) from Methanosarcina thermophila is the prototype of a widely distributed family

A total of 35 homologs of the iron-sulfur flavoprotein (Isf) from Methanosarcina thermophila were identified in databases. All three domains were represented, and multiple homologs were present in several species. An unusually compact cysteine motif ligating the 4Fe-4S cluster in Isf is conserved in all of the homologs except two, in which either an aspartate or a histidine has replaced the second cysteine in the motif. A phylogenetic analysis of Isf homologs identified four subgroups, two of which were supported by bootstrap data. Three homologs from metabolically and phylogenetically diverse species in the Bacteria and Archaea domains (Af3 from Archaeoglobus fulgidus, Cd1 from Clostridium difficile, and Mj2 from Methanococcus jannaschii) were overproduced in Escherichia coli. Each homolog purified as a homodimer, and the UV-visible absorption spectra were nearly identical to that of Isf. After reconstitution with iron, sulfide, and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) the homologs contained six to eight nonheme iron atoms and 1.6 to 1.7 FMN molecules per dimer, suggesting that two 4Fe-4S or 3Fe-4S clusters and two FMN cofactors were bound to each dimer, which is consistent with Isf data. Homologs Af3 and Mj2 were reduced by CO in reactions catalyzed by cell extract of acetate-grown M. thermophila, but Cd1 was not. Homologs Af3 and Mj2 were reduced by CO in reactions catalyzed by A. fulgidus and M. jannaschii cell extracts. Cell extract of Clostridium thermoaceticum catalyzed CO reduction of Cd1. Our database sequence analyses and biochemical characterizations indicate that Isf is the prototype of a family of iron-sulfur flavoproteins that occur in members of all three domains.

Site-specific mutational analysis of a novel cysteine motif proposed to ligate the 4Fe-4S cluster in the iron-sulfur flavoprotein of the thermophilic methanoarchaeon Methanosarcina thermophila

Isf (iron-sulfur flavoprotein) from Methanosarcina thermophila has been produced in Escherichia coli as a dimer containing two 4Fe-4S clusters and two FMN (flavin mononucleotide) cofactors. The deduced sequence of Isf contains six cysteines (Cys 16, Cys 47, Cys 50, Cys 53, Cys 59, and Cys 180), four of which (Cys 47, Cys 50, Cys 53, and Cys 59) comprise a motif with high identity to a motif (CX(2)CX(2)CX(4-7)C) present in all homologous Isf sequences available in the databases. The spacing of the motif is highly compact and atypical of motifs coordinating known 4Fe-4S clusters; therefore, all six cysteines in Isf from M. thermophila were altered to either alanine or serine to obtain corroborating biochemical evidence that the motif coordinates the 4Fe-4S cluster and to further characterize properties of the cluster dependent on ligation. All except the C16S variant were produced in inclusion bodies and were void of iron-sulfur clusters and FMN. Reconstitution of the iron-sulfur cluster and FMN was attempted for each variant. The UV-visible spectra of all reconstituted variants indicated the presence of iron-sulfur clusters and FMN. The reduced C16A/S variants showed the same electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra as wild-type Isf, whereas the reduced C180A/S variants showed EPR spectra identical to those of one of the two 4Fe-4S species present in the wild-type Isf spectrum. Conversely, EPR spectra of the oxidized C50A and C59A variants showed g values characteristic of a 3Fe-4S cluster. The spectra of the C47A and C53A variants indicated a 4Fe-4S cluster with g values and linewidths different from those for the wild type. The combined results of this study support a role for the novel CX(2)CX(2)CX(4-7)C motif in ligating the 4Fe-4S clusters in Isf and Isf homologues.

Purification and characterization of a novel naphthalene dioxygenase from Rhodococcus sp. strain NCIMB12038

We report here the characterization of the catalytic component (ISP(NAR)) of a new naphthalene dioxygenase from Rhodococcus sp. strain NCIMB12038. The genes encoding the two subunits of ISP(NAR) are not homologous to their previously characterized counterparts in Pseudomonas. The deduced amino acid sequences have only 33 and 29% identity with the corresponding subunits in Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9816-4, for which the tertiary structure has been reported.

Electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of the iron-sulfur flavoprotein from Methanosarcina thermophila

An iron-sulfur flavoprotein (Isf) from the methanoarchaeaon Methanosarcina thermophila, which participates in electron transfer reactions required for the fermentation of acetate to methane, was characterized by electrochemistry and EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The midpoint potential (Em) of the FMN/FMNH2 couple was -0.277 V. No flavin semiquinone was observed during potentiometric titrations; however, low amounts of the radical were observed when Isf was quickly frozen after reaction with CO and the CO dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA synthase complex from M. thermophila. Isf contained a [4Fe-4S]2+/1+ cluster with g values of 2.06 and 1.93 and an unusual split signal with g values at 1.86 and 1.82. The unusual morphology was attributed to microheterogeneity among Isf molecules. The Em value for the 2+/1+ redox couple of the cluster was -0.394 V. Extracts from H2-CO2-grown Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum cells catalyzed either the H2- or CO-dependent reduction of M. thermophila Isf. In addition, Isf homologs were found in the genomic sequences of the CO2-reducing methanoarchaea M. thermoautotrophicum and Methanococcus jannaschii. These results support a general role for Isf in electron transfer reactions of both acetate-fermenting and CO2-reducing methanoarchaea. It is suggested that Isf functions to couple electron transfer from ferredoxin to membrane-bound electron carriers, such as methanophenazine and/or b-type cytochromes.

Purification and properties of the heme- and iron-sulfur-containing heterodisulfide reductase from Methanosarcina thermophila

The heterodisulfide reductase (HDR) from Methanosarcina thermophila was purified to homogeneity from acetate-grown cells. In the absence of detergents, HDR consisted of an eight-protein complex with hydrogenase activity. However, when HDR was purified in the presence of 0.6% Triton X-100, a two-subunit (53 and 27 kDa) high specific activity ( approximately 200 units mg-1) enzyme was obtained that lacked hydrogenase activity. Sedimentation equilibrium experiments demonstrated that HDR has a molecular mass of 206 kDa and a high partial specific volume (0.9 cm3/g), indicating that the purified protein contains a significant amount of bound lipid. Like the HDR from Methanosarcina barkeri [Kunkel, A., Vaupel, M., Heim, S., Thauer, R. K., and Hedderich, R. (1997) Eur. J. Biochem. 244, 226-234], it was found to contain two discrete b-type hemes in the small subunit and two distinct [Fe4S4]2+/1+ clusters in the large subunit. One heme is high-spin and has a high midpoint potential (-23 mV), whereas the other heme apparently is low-spin and exhibits a relatively low midpoint potential (-180 mV). Only the high-spin heme binds CO. The midpoint potentials for the two clusters are -100 and -400 mV. In the fully reduced state, a complicated EPR spectrum with g values of 2.03, 1.97, 1.92, and 1.88 was observed. This spectrum resembles that of 8Fe ferredoxins in the fully reduced state, indicating that the two clusters in HDR are near enough to experience relatively strong dipolar interactions. Kinetic studies in which CO oxidation is coupled to heterodisulfide reduction strongly indicate that a membrane-associated compound is the direct electron donor to HDR. An electron-transfer pathway is presented that postulates a mechanism for coupling electron transport to proton translocation.

Alkene monooxygenase from Xanthobacter strain Py2. Purification and characterization of a four-component system central to the bacterial metabolism of aliphatic alkenes

Alkene monooxygenase from Xanthobacter strain Py2 is an inducible enzyme that catalyzes the O2- and NADH-dependent epoxidation of short chain (C2 to C6) alkenes to their corresponding epoxides as the initial step in the utilization of aliphatic alkenes as carbon and energy sources. In the present study, alkene monooxygenase has been resolved from the soluble fraction of cell-free extracts into four components, each of which has been purified to homogeneity, that are obligately required for alkene epoxidation activity. The four required components are 1) a monomeric 35.5-kDa protein containing 1 mol of FAD and a probable 2Fe-2S center; 2) a 13.3-kDa ferredoxin containing a Rieske-type 2Fe-2S cluster; 3) an 11-kDa monomeric protein that contains no detectable cofactors; and 4) a 212-kDa alpha2beta2gamma2 multimeric protein containing four atoms of nonheme iron. The 35.5-kDa protein has been characterized as an NADH reductase. The physiological electron acceptor for the reductase was the Rieske-type ferredoxin, which is proposed to be an intermediate electron carrier between the reductase and terminal catalytic component of the system. The 212-kDa protein was specifically inactivated in cell-free extracts by the mechanism-based inactivator propyne, suggesting that it is the catalytic component and contains the active site(s) for O2 activation and alkene epoxidation. The subunit structure and metal analysis of this component suggest that it contains two diiron centers, one for each alphabetagamma protomeric unit. No specific enzymatic activities could be assigned for the 11-kDa protein, but this component was obligately required for steady-state alkene epoxidation. The alkene monooxygenase components were expressed during growth of Xanthobacter Py2 on aliphatic alkenes or epoxides and repressed during growth on other carbon sources. The electron transfer components of alkene monooxygenase were highly specific: other reductase activities present in Xanthobacter were incapable of transferring electrons to the Rieske-type ferredoxin or substituting for the reductase in the alkene monooxygenase complex. Likewise, other bacterial and plant ferredoxins were unable to substitute for the Rieske-type ferredoxin in mediating electron transfer to the oxygenase. The biochemical properties of alkene monooxygenase described in this study suggest that this enzyme combines elements of both the well-characterized aromatic dioxygenase (two-component electron transfer scheme) and methane monooxygenase (small regulatory protein and diiron oxygenase) multicomponent enzyme systems.

Characterization of three protein components required for functional reconstitution of the epoxide carboxylase multienzyme complex from Xanthobacter strain Py2

Epoxide carboxylase from Xanthobacter strain Py2 catalyzes the reductant- and NAD+-dependent carboxylation of aliphatic epoxides to beta-keto acids. Epoxide carboxylase from Xanthobacter strain Py2 has been resolved from cell extracts by anion-exchange chromatography into three protein components, designated I, II, and III, that are obligately required for functional reconstitution of epoxide carboxylase activity. Component II has been purified to homogeneity on the basis of its ability to complement components I and III in restoring epoxide carboxylase activity. Purified component II had a specific activity for epoxide carboxylation of 41.8 mU x min(-1) x mg(-1) when components I and III were present at saturating levels. The biochemical properties of component II reveal that it is the flavin-containing NADPH:disulfide oxidoreductase that was recently shown by other means to be associated with epoxide degradation activity in Xanthobacter strain Py2 (J. Swaving, J. A. M. de Bont, A. Westphal, and A. Dekok, J. Bacteriol. 178:6644-6646, 1996). The rate of epoxide carboxylation was dependent on the relative concentrations of the three carboxylase components. At fixed concentrations of two of the components, epoxide carboxylation rates were saturated in a hyperbolic fashion by increasing the concentration of the third variable component. Methylepoxypropane has been characterized as a time-dependent, irreversible inactivator of epoxide carboxylase activity that is proposed to be a mechanism-based inactivator of the enzyme. The addition of component I, but not that of component II or III, to methylepoxypropane-inactivated cell extracts restored epoxide carboxylase activity, suggesting that component I contains the epoxide binding and activation sites.