Structural and thermodynamic basis for weak interactions between dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase and subunit-binding domain of the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex

Mitochondrial Alpha-Keto Acid Dehydrogenase Complexes: Recent Developments on Structure and Function in Health and Disease

The present work delves into the enigmatic world of mitochondrial alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes discussing their metabolic significance, enzymatic operation, moonlighting activities, and pathological relevance with links to underlying structural features. This ubiquitous family of related but diverse multienzyme complexes is involved in carbohydrate metabolism (pyruvate dehydrogenase complex), the citric acid cycle (α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex), and amino acid catabolism (branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex, α-ketoadipate dehydrogenase complex); the complexes all function at strategic points and also participate in regulation in these metabolic pathways. These systems are among the largest multienzyme complexes with at times more than 100 protein chains and weights ranging up to ~10 million Daltons. Our chapter offers a wealth of up-to-date information on these multienzyme complexes for a comprehensive understanding of their significance in health and disease.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase operates as an intramolecular nitroxyl generator during macrophage metabolic reprogramming

M1 macrophages enter a glycolytic state when endogenous nitric oxide (NO) reprograms mitochondrial metabolism by limiting aconitase 2 and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity. Here, we provide evidence that NO targets the PDH complex by using lipoate to generate nitroxyl (HNO). PDH E2-associated lipoate is modified in NO-rich macrophages while the PDH E3 enzyme, also known as dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), is irreversibly inhibited. Mechanistically, we show that lipoate facilitates NO-mediated production of HNO, which interacts with thiols forming irreversible modifications including sulfinamide. In addition, we reveal a macrophage signature of proteins with reduction-resistant modifications, including in DLD, and identify potential HNO targets. Consistently, DLD enzyme is modified in an HNO-dependent manner at Cys477 and Cys484, and molecular modeling and mutagenesis show these modifications impair the formation of DLD homodimers. In conclusion, our work demonstrates that HNO is produced physiologically. Moreover, the production of HNO is dependent on the lipoate-rich PDH complex facilitating irreversible modifications that are critical to NO-dependent metabolic rewiring.

High resolution cryo-EM and crystallographic snapshots of the actinobacterial two-in-one 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase

Actinobacteria possess unique ways to regulate the oxoglutarate metabolic node. Contrary to most organisms in which three enzymes compose the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (ODH), actinobacteria rely on a two-in-one protein (OdhA) in which both the oxidative decarboxylation and succinyl transferase steps are carried out by the same polypeptide. Here we describe high-resolution cryo-EM and crystallographic snapshots of representative enzymes from Mycobacterium smegmatis and Corynebacterium glutamicum, showing that OdhA is an 800-kDa homohexamer that assembles into a three-blade propeller shape. The obligate trimeric and dimeric states of the acyltransferase and dehydrogenase domains, respectively, are critical for maintaining the overall assembly, where both domains interact via subtle readjustments of their interfaces. Complexes obtained with substrate analogues, reaction products and allosteric regulators illustrate how these domains operate. Furthermore, we provide additional insights into the phosphorylation-dependent regulation of this enzymatic machinery by the signalling protein OdhI.

The structure and evolutionary diversity of the fungal E3-binding protein

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is a central metabolic enzyme in all living cells composed majorly of E1, E2, and E3. Tight coupling of their reactions makes each component essential, so that any loss impacts oxidative metabolism pathologically. E3 retention is mediated by the E3-binding protein (E3BP), which is here resolved within the PDC core from N.crassa, resolved to 3.2Å. Fungal and mammalian E3BP are shown to be orthologs, arguing E3BP as a broadly eukaryotic gene. Fungal E3BP architectures predicted from sequence data and computational models further bridge the evolutionary distance between N.crassa and humans, and suggest discriminants for E3-specificity. This is confirmed by similarities in their respective E3-binding domains, where an interaction previously not described is also predicted. This provides evolutionary parallels for a crucial interaction human metabolism, an interaction specific to fungi that can be targeted, and an example of protein evolution following gene neofunctionalization.

Lipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH) deficiency: medical perspectives of the structural and functional characterization of LADH and its pathogenic variants

(Dihydro)lipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH) deficiency is an autosomal recessive genetic metabolic disorder. It generally presents with an onset in the neonatal age and premature death. The clinical picture usually involves metabolic decompensation and lactic acidosis that lead to neurological, cardiological, and/or hepatological outcomes. Severity of the disease is due to the fact that LADH is a common E3 subunit to the pyruvate, alpha-ketoglutarate, alpha-ketoadipate, and branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes and is also part of the glycine cleavage system; hence, a loss in LADH activity adversely affects several central metabolic pathways simultaneously. The severe clinical manifestations, however, often do not parallel the LADH activity loss, which implies the existence of auxiliary pathological pathways; stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as well as dissociation from the relevant multienzyme complexes proved to be auxiliary exacerbating pathomechanisms for selected disease-causing LADH mutations. This review provides an overview on the therapeutic challenges of inherited metabolic diseases, structural and functional characteristics of the mitochondrial alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes, molecular pathogenesis and structural basis of LADH deficiency, and relevant potential future medical perspectives.

Identification of Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase as Potential Target of Vemurafenib-Resistant Melanoma Cells

BACKGROUND

Despite recent improvements in therapy, the five-year survival rate for patients with advanced melanoma is poor, mainly due to the development of drug resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, applying proteomics and structural approaches to models of melanoma cells.

METHODS

Sublines from two human (A375 and SK-MEL-28) cells with acquired vemurafenib resistance were established, and their proteomic profiles when exposed to denaturation were identified through LC-MS/MS analysis. The pathways derived from bioinformatics analyses were validated by in silico and functional studies.

RESULTS

The proteomic profiles of resistant melanoma cells were compared to parental counterparts by taking into account protein folding/unfolding behaviors. Several proteins were found to be involved, with dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD) being the only one similarly affected by denaturation in all resistant cell sublines compared to parental ones. DLD expression was observed to be increased in resistant cells by Western blot analysis. Protein modeling analyses of DLD's catalytic site coupled to in vitro assays with CPI-613, a specific DLD inhibitor, highlighted the role of DLD enzymatic functions in the molecular mechanisms of BRAFi resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our proteomic and structural investigations on resistant sublines indicate that DLD may represent a novel and potent target for overcoming vemurafenib resistance in melanoma cells.

Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, pyruvate oxidation, and acetylation-dependent mechanisms intersecting drug iatrogenesis

In human metabolism, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is one of the most intricate and large multimeric protein systems representing a central hub for cellular homeostasis. The worldwide used antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) may potentially induce teratogenicity or a mild to severe hepatic toxicity, where the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. This work aims to clarify the mechanisms that intersect VPA-related iatrogenic effects to PDC-associated dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD; E3) activity. DLD is also a key enzyme of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase, α-ketoadipate dehydrogenase, and the glycine decarboxylase complexes. The molecular effects of VPA will be reviewed underlining the data that sustain a potential interaction with DLD. The drug-associated effects on lipoic acid-related complexes activity may induce alterations on the flux of metabolites through tricarboxylic acid cycle, branched-chain amino acid oxidation, glycine metabolism and other cellular acetyl-CoA-connected reactions. The biotransformation of VPA involves its complete β-oxidation in mitochondria causing an imbalance on energy homeostasis. The drug consequences as histone deacetylase inhibitor and thus gene expression modulator have also been recognized. The mitochondrial localization of PDC is unequivocal, but its presence and function in the nucleus were also demonstrated, generating acetyl-CoA, crucial for histone acetylation. Bridging metabolism and epigenetics, this review gathers the evidence of VPA-induced interference with DLD or PDC functions, mainly in animal and cellular models, and highlights the uncharted in human. The consequences of this interaction may have significant impact either in mitochondrial or in nuclear acetyl-CoA-dependent processes.

Effects of B-Group Vitamin Administration on Daily Change in Urine 2-Oxo Acids in Young Japanese Women

B-group vitamins are required in amino acid catabolism, and recent findings suggest that urine 2-oxo acids, catabolites of amino acid, could be functional biomarkers indicating the nutritional status of B-group vitamins. To clarify the relationship between B-group vitamins and urine 2-oxo acids, we investigated the effects of B-group vitamin administration on daily changes in urinary amounts of 2-oxo acids in humans. Twenty-nine young Japanese women collected 24-h urine samples for 8 d, and took B-group vitamins for 7 d beginning on the second day of urine collection. The participants were divided into three groups on the basis of the amounts of total branched-chain 2-oxo acids, 2-oxoglutaric acid, 2-oxoadipic acid, and pyruvic acid excreted in urine. In the upper tertile, but not the middle and lower tertiles, each urine 2-oxo acid decreased from the first day of vitamin administration, and completely decreased to a normal level on the second day of administration. These results indicate that administration of B-group vitamins immediately affects 2-oxo acid metabolism in some young Japanese women. Thus, urinary 2-oxo acids could be useful and functional biomarkers for B-group vitamin status.

Underlying molecular alterations in human dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase deficiency revealed by structural analyses of disease-causing enzyme variants

Human dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (hLADH, hE3) deficiency (OMIM# 246900) is an often prematurely lethal genetic disease usually caused by inactive or partially inactive hE3 variants. Here we report the crystal structure of wild-type hE3 at an unprecedented high resolution of 1.75 Å and the structures of six disease-causing hE3 variants at resolutions ranging from 1.44 to 2.34 Å. P453L proved to be the most deleterious substitution in structure as aberrations extensively compromised the active site. The most prevalent G194C-hE3 variant primarily exhibited structural alterations close to the substitution site, whereas the nearby cofactor-binding residues were left unperturbed. The G426E substitution mainly interfered with the local charge distribution introducing dynamics to the substitution site in the dimer interface; G194C and G426E both led to minor structural changes. The R460G, R447G and I445M substitutions all perturbed a solvent accessible channel, the so-called H+/H2O channel, leading to the active site. Molecular pathomechanisms of enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and impaired binding to multienzyme complexes were also addressed according to the structural data for the relevant mutations. In summary, we present here for the first time a comprehensive study that links three-dimensional structures of disease-causing hE3 variants to residual hLADH activities, altered capacities for ROS generation, compromised affinities for multienzyme complexes and eventually clinical symptoms. Our results may serve as useful starting points for future therapeutic intervention approaches.

An Updated View on the Molecular Pathomechanisms of Human Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Light of Novel Crystallographic Evidence

Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH, E3) deficiency is a rare (autosomal, recessive) genetic disorder generally presenting with an onset in the neonatal age and early death; the highest carrier rate has been found among Ashkenazi Jews. Acute clinical episodes usually involve severe metabolic decompensation and lactate acidosis that result in neurological, cardiological, and/or hepatological manifestations. Clinical severity is due to the fact that LADH is a common E3 subunit to the alpha-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, alpha-ketoadipate, and branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes, and is also a constituent in the glycine cleavage system, thus a loss in LADH function adversely affects multiple key metabolic routes. However, the severe clinical pictures frequently still do not parallel the LADH activity loss, which implies the involvement of auxiliary biochemical mechanisms; enhanced reactive oxygen species generation as well as affinity loss for multienzyme complexes proved to be key auxiliary exacerbating pathomechanisms. This review provides an overview and an up-to-date molecular insight into the pathomechanisms of this disease in light of the structural conclusions drawn from the first crystal structure of a disease-causing hE3 variant determined recently in our laboratory.

A multipronged approach unravels unprecedented protein-protein interactions in the human 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex

The human 2-oxoglutaric acid dehydrogenase complex (hOGDHc) plays a pivotal role in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and its diminished activity is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The hOGDHc comprises three components, hE1o, hE2o, and hE3, and we recently reported functionally active E1o and E2o components, enabling studies on their assembly. No atomic-resolution structure for the hE2o component is currently available, so here we first studied the interactions in the binary subcomplexes (hE1o-hE2o, hE1o-hE3, and hE2o-hE3) to gain insight into the strength of their interactions and to identify the interaction loci in them. We carried out multiple physico-chemical studies, including fluorescence, hydrogen-deuterium exchange MS (HDX-MS), and chemical cross-linking MS (CL-MS). Our fluorescence studies suggested a strong interaction for the hE1o-hE2o subcomplex, but a much weaker interaction in the hE1o-hE3 subcomplex, and failed to identify any interaction in the hE2o-hE3 subcomplex. The HDX-MS studies gave evidence for interactions in the hE1o-hE2o and hE1o-hE3 subcomplexes comprising full-length components, identifying: (i) the N-terminal region of hE1o, in particular the two peptides ¹⁸YVEEM²² and ²⁷ENPKSVHKSWDIF³⁹ as constituting the binding region responsible for the assembly of the hE1o with both the hE2o and hE3 components into hOGDHc, an hE1 region absent in available X-ray structures; and (ii) a novel hE2o region comprising residues from both a linker region and from the catalytic domain as being a critical region interacting with hE1o. The CL-MS identified the loci in the hE1o and hE2o components interacting with each other.

Crystal structures of the disease-causing D444V mutant and the relevant wild type human dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase

We report the crystal structures of the human (dihydro)lipoamide dehydrogenase (hLADH, hE3) and its disease-causing homodimer interface mutant D444V-hE3 at 2.27 and 1.84 Å resolution, respectively. The wild type structure is a unique uncomplexed, unliganded hE3 structure with the true canonical sequence. Based on the structural information a novel molecular pathomechanism is proposed for the impaired catalytic activity and enhanced capacity for reactive oxygen species generation of the pathogenic mutant. The mechanistic model involves a previously much ignored solvent accessible channel leading to the active site that might be perturbed also by other disease-causing homodimer interface substitutions of this enzyme.

Proteomic analysis of cardiac ventricles: baso-apical differences

The heart is characterized by a remarkable degree of heterogeneity. Since different cardiac pathologies affect different cardiac regions, it is important to understand molecular mechanisms by which these parts respond to pathological stimuli. In addition to already described left ventricular (LV)/right ventricular (RV) and transmural differences, possible baso-apical heterogeneity has to be taken into consideration. The aim of our study has been, therefore, to compare proteomes in the apical and basal parts of the rat RV and LV. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used for the proteomic analysis. The major result of this study has revealed for the first time significant baso-apical differences in concentration of several proteins, both in the LV and RV. As far as the LV is concerned, five proteins had higher concentration in the apical compared to basal part of the ventricle. Three of them are mitochondrial and belong to the "metabolism and energy pathways" (myofibrillar creatine kinase M-type, L-lactate dehydrogenase, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase). Myosin light chain 3 is a contractile protein and HSP60 belongs to heat shock proteins. In the RV, higher concentration in the apical part was observed in two mitochondrial proteins (creatine kinase S-type and proton pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase). The described changes were more pronounced in the LV, which is subjected to higher workload. However, in both chambers was the concentration of proteins markedly higher in the apical than that in basal part, which corresponds to the higher energetic demand and contractile activity of these segments of both ventricles.

Behaviour of intrinsically disordered proteins in protein-protein complexes with an emphasis on fuzziness

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) do not, by themselves, fold into a compact globular structure. They are extremely dynamic and flexible, and are typically involved in signalling and transduction of information through binding to other macromolecules. The reason for their existence may lie in their malleability, which enables them to bind several different partners with high specificity. In addition, their interactions with other macromolecules can be regulated by a variable amount of chemically diverse post-translational modifications. Four kinetically and energetically different types of complexes between an IDP and another macromolecule are reviewed: (1) simple two-state binding involving a single binding site, (2) avidity, (3) allovalency and (4) fuzzy binding; the last three involving more than one site. Finally, a qualitative definition of fuzzy binding is suggested, examples are provided, and its distinction to allovalency and avidity is highlighted and discussed.

Human dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (E3) deficiency: Novel insights into the structural basis and molecular pathomechanism

This review summarizes our present view on the molecular pathogenesis of human (h) E3-deficiency caused by a variety of genetic alterations with a special emphasis on the moonlighting biochemical phenomena related to the affected (dihydro)lipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH, E3, gene: dld), in particular the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). E3-deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder frequently presenting with a neonatal onset and premature death; the highest carrier rate of a single pathogenic dld mutation (1:94-1:110) was found among Ashkenazi Jews. Patients usually die during acute episodes that generally involve severe metabolic decompensation and lactic acidosis leading to neurological, cardiological, and/or hepatological manifestations. The disease owes its severity to the fact that LADH is the common E3 subunit of the alpha-ketoglutarate (KGDHc), pyruvate (PDHc), and branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes and is also part of the glycine cleavage system, hence the malfunctioning of LADH simultaneously incapacitates several central metabolic pathways. Nevertheless, the clinical pictures are usually not unequivocally portrayed through the loss of LADH activities and imply auxiliary mechanisms that exacerbate the symptoms and outcomes of this disorder. Enhanced ROS generation by disease-causing hE3 variants as well as by the E1-E2 subcomplex of the hKGDHc likely contributes to selected pathogeneses of E3-deficiency, which could be targeted by specific drugs or antioxidants; lipoic acid was demonstrated to be a potent inhibitor of ROS generation by hE3 in vitro. Flavin supplementation might prove to be beneficial for those mutations triggering FAD loss in the hE3 component. Selected pathogenic hE3 variants lose their affinity for the E2 component of the hPDHc, a mechanism which warrants scrutiny also for other E3-haboring complexes.

Urinary Branched-Chain 2-Oxo Acids as a Biomarker for Function of B-Group Vitamins in Humans

To find a functional biomarker of B-group vitamins, we collected 24-h urine samples from young Japanese women who lived in the community (n=29) to measure branched-chain 2-oxo acids such as 2-oxo-3-methylbutanoic acid, 2-oxo-3-methylpentanoic acid, and 2-oxo-4-methylpentanoic acid because B-group vitamins are involved in the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids. The relationships between each pair of the three urinary 2-oxo acids were very high (2-oxo-3-methylbutanoic acid and 2-oxo-3-methylpentanoic acid, p<0.001; 2-oxo-3-methylbutanoic acid and 2-oxo-4-methylpentanoic acid, p<0.001; 2-oxo-3-methylpentanoic acid and 2-oxo-4-methylpentanoic acid, p<0.001). The participants were divided into three groups using the upper (n=10), middle (n=9), and lower tertiles (n=10) based on the urinary excretion amounts of the sum of the three branched-chain 2-oxo acids. The administration of capsules containing the daily necessary amounts of B-group vitamins led to a decrease in the urinary excretion of the sum of the three types of branched-chain 2-oxo acids in participants belonging to the upper tertile. A similar phenomenon was observed in the middle tertile, but not in the lower tertile. Intakes of B-group vitamins and the urinary excretion amounts of B-group vitamins were not observed to be significantly different among the upper, middle, and lower tertiles. These results indicate that some young Japanese women need much higher levels of B-group vitamins than the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese. Thus, urinary branched-chain 2-oxo acids are useful functional biomarkers for B-group vitamins in humans.

Computational Study on New Natural Compound Inhibitors of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinases

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDKs) are key enzymes in glucose metabolism, negatively regulating pyruvate dehyrogenase complex (PDC) activity through phosphorylation. Inhibiting PDKs could upregulate PDC activity and drive cells into more aerobic metabolism. Therefore, PDKs are potential targets for metabolism related diseases, such as cancers and diabetes. In this study, a series of computer-aided virtual screening techniques were utilized to discover potential inhibitors of PDKs. Structure-based screening using Libdock was carried out following by ADME (adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and toxicity prediction. Molecular docking was used to analyze the binding mechanism between these compounds and PDKs. Molecular dynamic simulation was utilized to confirm the stability of potential compound binding. From the computational results, two novel natural coumarins compounds (ZINC12296427 and ZINC12389251) from the ZINC database were found binding to PDKs with favorable interaction energy and predicted to be non-toxic. Our study provide valuable information of PDK-coumarins binding mechanisms in PDK inhibitor-based drug discovery.

Human 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex E1 component forms a thiamin-derived radical by aerobic oxidation of the enamine intermediate

Herein are reported unique properties of the human 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex (OGDHc), a rate-limiting enzyme in the Krebs (citric acid) cycle. (a) Functionally competent 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (E1o-h) and dihydrolipoyl succinyltransferase components have been expressed according to kinetic and spectroscopic evidence. (b) A stable free radical, consistent with the C2-(C2α-hydroxy)-γ-carboxypropylidene thiamin diphosphate (ThDP) cation radical was detected by electron spin resonance upon reaction of the E1o-h with 2-oxoglutarate (OG) by itself or when assembled from individual components into OGDHc. (c) An unusual stability of the E1o-h-bound C2-(2α-hydroxy)-γ-carboxypropylidene thiamin diphosphate (the "ThDP-enamine"/C2α-carbanion, the first postdecarboxylation intermediate) was observed, probably stabilized by the 5-carboxyl group of OG, not reported before. (d) The reaction of OG with the E1o-h gave rise to superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide (reactive oxygen species (ROS)). (e) The relatively stable enzyme-bound enamine is the likely substrate for oxidation by O2, leading to the superoxide anion radical (in d) and the radical (in b). (f) The specific activity assessed for ROS formation compared with the NADH (overall complex) activity, as well as the fraction of radical intermediate occupying active centers of E1o-h are consistent with each other and indicate that radical/ROS formation is an "off-pathway" side reaction comprising less than 1% of the "on-pathway" reactivity. However, the nearly ubiquitous presence of OGDHc in human tissues, including the brain, makes these findings of considerable importance in human metabolism and perhaps disease.

Novel binding motif and new flexibility revealed by structural analyses of a pyruvate dehydrogenase-dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase subcomplex from the Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex

The Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex contains multiple copies of three enzymatic components, E1p, E2p, and E3, that sequentially carry out distinct steps in the overall reaction converting pyruvate to acetyl-CoA. Efficient functioning requires the enzymatic components to assemble into a large complex, the integrity of which is maintained by tethering of the displaced, peripheral E1p and E3 components to the E2p core through non-covalent binding. We here report the crystal structure of a subcomplex between E1p and an E2p didomain containing a hybrid lipoyl domain along with the peripheral subunit-binding domain responsible for tethering to the core. In the structure, a region at the N terminus of each subunit in the E1p homodimer previously unseen due to crystallographic disorder was observed, revealing a new folding motif involved in E1p-E2p didomain interactions, and an additional, unexpected, flexibility was discovered in the E1p-E2p didomain subcomplex, both of which probably have consequences in the overall multienzyme complex assembly. This represents the first structure of an E1p-E2p didomain subcomplex involving a homodimeric E1p, and the results may be applicable to a large range of complexes with homodimeric E1 components. Results of HD exchange mass spectrometric experiments using the intact, wild type 3-lipoyl E2p and E1p are consistent with the crystallographic data obtained from the E1p-E2p didomain subcomplex as well as with other biochemical and NMR data reported from our groups, confirming that our findings are applicable to the entire E1p-E2p assembly.

Regulation of pyruvate metabolism and human disease

Pyruvate is a keystone molecule critical for numerous aspects of eukaryotic and human metabolism. Pyruvate is the end-product of glycolysis, is derived from additional sources in the cellular cytoplasm, and is ultimately destined for transport into mitochondria as a master fuel input undergirding citric acid cycle carbon flux. In mitochondria, pyruvate drives ATP production by oxidative phosphorylation and multiple biosynthetic pathways intersecting the citric acid cycle. Mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism is regulated by many enzymes, including the recently discovered mitochondria pyruvate carrier, pyruvate dehydrogenase, and pyruvate carboxylase, to modulate overall pyruvate carbon flux. Mutations in any of the genes encoding for proteins regulating pyruvate metabolism may lead to disease. Numerous cases have been described. Aberrant pyruvate metabolism plays an especially prominent role in cancer, heart failure, and neurodegeneration. Because most major diseases involve aberrant metabolism, understanding and exploiting pyruvate carbon flux may yield novel treatments that enhance human health.

Insight to the interaction of the dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (E2) core with the peripheral components in the Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase complex via multifaceted structural approaches

Multifaceted structural approaches were undertaken to investigate interaction of the E2 component with E3 and E1 components from the Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex (PDHc), as a representative of the PDHc from Gram-negative bacteria. The crystal structure of E3 at 2.5 Å resolution reveals similarity to other E3 structures and was an important starting point for understanding interaction surfaces between E3 and E2. Biochemical studies revealed that R129E-E2 and R150E-E2 substitutions in the peripheral subunit-binding domain (PSBD) of E2 greatly diminished PDHc activity, affected interactions with E3 and E1 components, and affected reductive acetylation of E2. Because crystal structures are unavailable for any complete E2-containing complexes, peptide-specific hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry was used to identify loci of interactions between 3-lipoyl E2 and E3. Two peptides from the PSBD, including Arg-129, and three peptides from E3 displayed statistically significant reductions in deuterium uptake resulting from interaction between E3 and E2. Of the peptides identified on E3, two were from the catalytic site, and the third was from the interface domain, which for all known E3 structures is believed to interact with the PSBD. NMR clearly demonstrates that there is no change in the lipoyl domain structure on complexation with E3. This is the first instance where the entire wild-type E2 component was employed to understand interactions with E3. A model for PSBD-E3 binding was independently constructed and found to be consistent with the importance of Arg-129, as well as revealing other electrostatic interactions likely stabilizing this complex.