1
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Fujii S, Wilson MT, Adams HR, Mikolajek H, Svistunenko DA, Smyth P, Andrew CR, Sambongi Y, Hough MA. Conformational rigidity of cytochrome c'-α from a thermophile is associated with slow NO binding. Biophys J 2024; 123:2594-2603. [PMID: 38937973 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytochromes c'-α are nitric oxide (NO)-binding heme proteins derived from bacteria that can thrive in a wide range of temperature environments. Studies of mesophilic Alcaligenes xylosoxidans cytochrome c'-α (AxCP-α) have revealed an unusual NO-binding mechanism involving both heme faces, in which NO first binds to form a distal hexa-coordinate Fe(II)-NO (6cNO) intermediate and then displaces the proximal His to form a proximal penta-coordinate Fe(II)-NO (5cNO) final product. Here, we characterize a thermally stable cytochrome c'-α from thermophilic Hydrogenophilus thermoluteolus (PhCP-α) to understand how protein thermal stability affects NO binding. Electron paramagnetic and resonance Raman spectroscopies reveal the formation of a PhCP-α 5cNO product, with time-resolved (stopped-flow) UV-vis absorbance indicating the involvement of a 6cNO intermediate. Relative to AxCP-α, the rates of 6cNO and 5cNO formation in PhCP-α are ∼11- and ∼13-fold lower, respectively. Notably, x-ray crystal structures of PhCP-α in the presence and absence of NO suggest that the sluggish formation of the proximal 5cNO product results from conformational rigidity: the Arg-132 residue (adjacent to the proximal His ligand) is held in place by a salt bridge between Arg-75 and Glu-135 (an interaction not present in AxCP-α or a psychrophilic counterpart). Overall, our data provide fresh insights into structural factors controlling NO binding in heme proteins, including 5cNO complexes relevant to eukaryotic NO sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotaro Fujii
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom; Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom; Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Michael T Wilson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah R Adams
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Halina Mikolajek
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom; Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | | | - Peter Smyth
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom; Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom; School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Colin R Andrew
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, Oregon
| | - Yoshihiro Sambongi
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan; Seto Inland Sea Carbon-neutral Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Michael A Hough
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom; Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom; School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
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2
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Guan J, Lu Y, Sen K, Abdul Nasir J, Desmoutier AW, Hou Q, Zhang X, Logsdail AJ, Dutta G, Beale AM, Strange RW, Yong C, Sherwood P, Senn HM, Catlow CRA, Keal TW, Sokol AA. Computational infrared and Raman spectra by hybrid QM/MM techniques: a study on molecular and catalytic material systems. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2023; 381:20220234. [PMID: 37211033 PMCID: PMC10200352 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2022.0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Vibrational spectroscopy is one of the most well-established and important techniques for characterizing chemical systems. To aid the interpretation of experimental infrared and Raman spectra, we report on recent theoretical developments in the ChemShell computational chemistry environment for modelling vibrational signatures. The hybrid quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical approach is employed, using density functional theory for the electronic structure calculations and classical forcefields for the environment. Computational vibrational intensities at chemical active sites are reported using electrostatic and fully polarizable embedding environments to achieve more realistic vibrational signatures for materials and molecular systems, including solvated molecules, proteins, zeolites and metal oxide surfaces, providing useful insight into the effect of the chemical environment on the signatures obtained from experiment. This work has been enabled by the efficient task-farming parallelism implemented in ChemShell for high-performance computing platforms. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Supercomputing simulations of advanced materials'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingcheng Guan
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - You Lu
- STFC Scientific Computing, Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, Warrington WA4 4AD, UK
| | - Kakali Sen
- STFC Scientific Computing, Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, Warrington WA4 4AD, UK
| | - Jamal Abdul Nasir
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | | | - Qing Hou
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
- Institute of Photonic Chips, University of Shanghai for Science of Technology, Shanghai 201512, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xingfan Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Andrew J. Logsdail
- Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Gargi Dutta
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
- Department of Physics, Balurghat College, Balurghat 733101, West Bengal, India
| | - Andrew M. Beale
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Richard W. Strange
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Chin Yong
- STFC Scientific Computing, Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, Warrington WA4 4AD, UK
| | - Paul Sherwood
- Department of Chemistry, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, UK
| | - Hans M. Senn
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - C. Richard A. Catlow
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
- Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Thomas W. Keal
- STFC Scientific Computing, Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, Warrington WA4 4AD, UK
| | - Alexey A. Sokol
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
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3
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Adams HR, Svistunenko DA, Wilson MT, Fujii S, Strange RW, Hardy ZA, Vazquez PA, Dabritz T, Streblow GJ, Andrew CR, Hough MA. A Heme Pocket Aromatic Quadrupole Modulates Gas Binding to Cytochrome c'-β: Implications for NO Sensors. J Biol Chem 2023:104742. [PMID: 37100286 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The structural basis by which gas-binding heme proteins control their interactions with NO, CO, and O2, is fundamental to enzymology, biotechnology and human health. Cytochromes c´ (cyts c´) are a group of putative NO-binding heme proteins that fall into two families: the well characterised four alpha helix bundle fold (cyts c´-α) and an unrelated family with a largely beta sheet fold (cyts c´-β) resembling that of cytochromes P460. A recent structure of cyt c´-β from Methylococcus capsulatus Bath (McCP-β) revealed two heme pocket phenylalanine residues (Phe 32 and Phe 61) positioned near the distal gas binding site. This feature, dubbed the "Phe cap", is highly conserved within the sequences of other cyts c´-β, but is absent in their close homologues, the hydroxylamine oxidizing cytochromes P460, although some do contain a single Phe residue. Here we report an integrated structural, spectroscopic, and kinetic characterization of McCP-β complexes with diatomic gases, focusing on the interaction of the Phe cap with NO and CO. Significantly, crystallographic and resonance Raman data show that orientation of the electron rich aromatic ring face of Phe 32 towards distally-bound NO or CO is associated with weakened backbonding and higher off rates. Moreover, we propose that an aromatic quadrupole also contributes to the unusually weak backbonding reported for some heme-based gas sensors, including the mammalian NO-sensor, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). Collectively, this study sheds light on the influence of highly conserved distal Phe residues on heme-gas complexes of cytochrome c'-β, including the potential for aromatic quadrupoles to modulate NO and CO binding in other heme proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R Adams
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Dimitri A Svistunenko
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Michael T Wilson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Sotaro Fujii
- Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-4-4, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8528, Japan; Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Richard W Strange
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Zoe A Hardy
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande OR 97850, USA
| | - Priscilla A Vazquez
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande OR 97850, USA
| | - Tyler Dabritz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande OR 97850, USA
| | - Gabriel J Streblow
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande OR 97850, USA
| | - Colin R Andrew
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande OR 97850, USA.
| | - Michael A Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, UK; Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK.
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4
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Hough MA, Prischi F, Worrall JAR. Perspective: Structure determination of protein-ligand complexes at room temperature using X-ray diffraction approaches. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1113762. [PMID: 36756363 PMCID: PMC9899996 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1113762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between macromolecular proteins and small molecule ligands is an essential component of cellular function. Such ligands may include enzyme substrates, molecules involved in cellular signalling or pharmaceutical drugs. Together with biophysical techniques used to assess the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of ligand binding to proteins, methodology to determine high-resolution structures that enable atomic level interactions between protein and ligand(s) to be directly visualised is required. Whilst such structural approaches are well established with high throughput X-ray crystallography routinely used in the pharmaceutical sector, they provide only a static view of the complex. Recent advances in X-ray structural biology methods offer several new possibilities that can examine protein-ligand complexes at ambient temperature rather than under cryogenic conditions, enable transient binding sites and interactions to be characterised using time-resolved approaches and combine spectroscopic measurements from the same crystal that the structures themselves are determined. This Perspective reviews several recent developments in these areas and discusses new possibilities for applications of these advanced methodologies to transform our understanding of protein-ligand interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom,Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Michael A. Hough, ; Jonathan A. R. Worrall,
| | - Filippo Prischi
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan A. R. Worrall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Michael A. Hough, ; Jonathan A. R. Worrall,
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5
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Moreno-Chicano T, Carey LM, Axford D, Beale JH, Doak RB, Duyvesteyn HME, Ebrahim A, Henning RW, Monteiro DCF, Myles DA, Owada S, Sherrell DA, Straw ML, Šrajer V, Sugimoto H, Tono K, Tosha T, Tews I, Trebbin M, Strange RW, Weiss KL, Worrall JAR, Meilleur F, Owen RL, Ghiladi RA, Hough MA. Complementarity of neutron, XFEL and synchrotron crystallography for defining the structures of metalloenzymes at room temperature. IUCRJ 2022; 9:610-624. [PMID: 36071813 PMCID: PMC9438502 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252522006418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Room-temperature macromolecular crystallography allows protein structures to be determined under close-to-physiological conditions, permits dynamic freedom in protein motions and enables time-resolved studies. In the case of metalloenzymes that are highly sensitive to radiation damage, such room-temperature experiments can present challenges, including increased rates of X-ray reduction of metal centres and site-specific radiation-damage artefacts, as well as in devising appropriate sample-delivery and data-collection methods. It can also be problematic to compare structures measured using different crystal sizes and light sources. In this study, structures of a multifunctional globin, dehaloperoxidase B (DHP-B), obtained using several methods of room-temperature crystallographic structure determination are described and compared. Here, data were measured from large single crystals and multiple microcrystals using neutrons, X-ray free-electron laser pulses, monochromatic synchrotron radiation and polychromatic (Laue) radiation light sources. These approaches span a range of 18 orders of magnitude in measurement time per diffraction pattern and four orders of magnitude in crystal volume. The first room-temperature neutron structures of DHP-B are also presented, allowing the explicit identification of the hydrogen positions. The neutron data proved to be complementary to the serial femtosecond crystallography data, with both methods providing structures free of the effects of X-ray radiation damage when compared with standard cryo-crystallography. Comparison of these room-temperature methods demonstrated the large differences in sample requirements, data-collection time and the potential for radiation damage between them. With regard to the structure and function of DHP-B, despite the results being partly limited by differences in the underlying structures, new information was gained on the protonation states of active-site residues which may guide future studies of DHP-B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadeo Moreno-Chicano
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Leiah M. Carey
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8204, USA
| | - Danny Axford
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - John H. Beale
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - R. Bruce Doak
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn
- Division of Structural Biology (STRUBI), University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Ali Ebrahim
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Robert W. Henning
- BioCARS, University of Chicago, Building 434B, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Diana C. F. Monteiro
- Hauptman–Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203-1102, USA
| | - Dean A. Myles
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Shigeki Owada
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Darren A. Sherrell
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Megan L. Straw
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Vukica Šrajer
- BioCARS, University of Chicago, Building 434B, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | | | - Kensuke Tono
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Takehiko Tosha
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Ivo Tews
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Trebbin
- Hauptman–Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203-1102, USA
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Richard W. Strange
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin L. Weiss
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jonathan A. R. Worrall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Flora Meilleur
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8204, USA
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Robin L. Owen
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Reza A. Ghiladi
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8204, USA
| | - Michael A. Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
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6
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Abstract
Neutron and X-ray crystallography are complementary to each other. While X-ray scattering is directly proportional to the number of electrons of an atom, neutrons interact with the atomic nuclei themselves. Neutron crystallography therefore provides an excellent alternative in determining the positions of hydrogens in a biological molecule. In particular, since highly polarized hydrogen atoms (H+) do not have electrons, they cannot be observed by X-rays. Neutron crystallography has its own limitations, mainly due to inherent low flux of neutrons sources, and as a consequence, the need for much larger crystals and for different data collection and analysis strategies. These technical challenges can however be overcome to yield crucial structural insights about protonation states in enzyme catalysis, ligand recognition, as well as the presence of unusual hydrogen bonds in proteins.
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7
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Smulevich G. Solution and crystal phase resonance Raman spectroscopy: Valuable tools to unveil the structure and function of heme proteins. J PORPHYR PHTHALOCYA 2019. [DOI: 10.1142/s1088424619300088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In the present review, examples are provided illustrating the application of resonance Raman microscopy to heme protein single crystals to highlight the artifacts induced by the crystallization process or the conformational alteration induced by cooling. Moreover, the structural information determined from the RR spectra of heme proteins in solution and crystals is compared to that obtained from their X-ray structures to show how the combined spectroscopic/crystallographic approach is a powerful weapon in the structural biologist’s armamentarium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulietta Smulevich
- Dipartimento di Chimica “Ugo Schiff,” Università di Firenze, Via Della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino(Fi), Italy
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8
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Yamanaka M, Nakayama R, Fujii S, Wakai S, Sambongi Y, Hirota S. Conferment of CO-Controlled Dimer–Monomer Transition Property to Thermostable Cytochromec′ by Mutation in the Subunit–Subunit Interface. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2019. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20180311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Yamanaka
- Division of Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Ryoko Nakayama
- Division of Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Sotaro Fujii
- Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan
| | - Satoshi Wakai
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Sambongi
- Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan
| | - Shun Hirota
- Division of Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
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9
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Kekilli D, Moreno-Chicano T, Chaplin AK, Horrell S, Dworkowski FSN, Worrall JAR, Strange RW, Hough MA. Photoreduction and validation of haem-ligand intermediate states in protein crystals by in situ single-crystal spectroscopy and diffraction. IUCRJ 2017; 4:263-270. [PMID: 28512573 PMCID: PMC5414400 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252517002159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Powerful synergies are available from the combination of multiple methods to study proteins in the crystalline form. Spectroscopies which probe the same region of the crystal from which X-ray crystal structures are determined can give insights into redox, ligand and spin states to complement the information gained from the electron-density maps. The correct assignment of crystal structures to the correct protein redox and ligand states is essential to avoid the misinterpretation of structural data. This is a particular concern for haem proteins, which can occupy a wide range of redox states and are exquisitely sensitive to becoming reduced by solvated electrons generated from interactions of X-rays with water molecules in the crystal. Here, single-crystal spectroscopic fingerprinting has been applied to investigate the laser photoreduction of ferric haem in cytochrome c'. Furthermore, in situ X-ray-driven generation of haem intermediates in crystals of the dye-decolourizing-type peroxidase A (DtpA) from Streptomyces lividans is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demet Kekilli
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, England
| | - Tadeo Moreno-Chicano
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, England
| | - Amanda K. Chaplin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, England
| | - Sam Horrell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, England
| | | | - Jonathan A. R. Worrall
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, England
| | - Richard W. Strange
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, England
| | - Michael A. Hough
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, England
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10
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Kekilli D, Petersen CA, Pixton DA, Ghafoor DD, Abdullah GH, Dworkowski FSN, Wilson MT, Heyes DJ, Hardman SJO, Murphy LM, Strange RW, Scrutton NS, Andrew CR, Hough MA. Engineering proximal vs. distal heme-NO coordination via dinitrosyl dynamics: implications for NO sensor design. Chem Sci 2017; 8:1986-1994. [PMID: 28451315 PMCID: PMC5390784 DOI: 10.1039/c6sc04190f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Proximal vs. distal heme-NO coordination is a novel strategy for selective gas response in heme-based NO-sensors. In the case of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans cytochrome c' (AXCP), formation of a transient distal 6cNO complex is followed by scission of the trans Fe-His bond and conversion to a proximal 5cNO product via a putative dinitrosyl species. Here we show that replacement of the AXCP distal Leu16 residue with smaller or similar sized residues (Ala, Val or Ile) traps the distal 6cNO complex, whereas Leu or Phe residues lead to a proximal 5cNO product with a transient or non-detectable distal 6cNO precursor. Crystallographic, spectroscopic, and kinetic measurements of 6cNO AXCP complexes show that increased distal steric hindrance leads to distortion of the Fe-N-O angle and flipping of the heme 7-propionate. However, it is the kinetic parameters of the distal NO ligand that determine whether 6cNO or proximal 5cNO end products are formed. Our data support a 'balance of affinities' mechanism in which proximal 5cNO coordination depends on relatively rapid release of the distal NO from the dinitrosyl precursor. This mechanism, which is applicable to other proteins that form transient dinitrosyls, represents a novel strategy for 5cNO formation that does not rely on an inherently weak Fe-His bond. Our data suggest a general means of engineering selective gas response into biologically-derived gas sensors in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demet Kekilli
- School of Biological Sciences , University of Essex , Wivenhoe Park , Colchester , Essex CO4 3SQ , UK .
| | - Christine A Petersen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Eastern Oregon University , La Grande , Oregon 97850 , USA .
| | - David A Pixton
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Eastern Oregon University , La Grande , Oregon 97850 , USA .
| | - Dlzar D Ghafoor
- Faculty of Science and Education Science , University of Sulaimani , Sulaymaniyah , Iraq
| | | | | | - Michael T Wilson
- School of Biological Sciences , University of Essex , Wivenhoe Park , Colchester , Essex CO4 3SQ , UK .
| | - Derren J Heyes
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology , 131 Princess Street , Manchester M1 7DN , UK
| | - Samantha J O Hardman
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology , 131 Princess Street , Manchester M1 7DN , UK
| | - Loretta M Murphy
- School of Chemistry , Bangor University , Bangor , Gwynedd , Wales LL57 2UW , UK
| | - Richard W Strange
- School of Biological Sciences , University of Essex , Wivenhoe Park , Colchester , Essex CO4 3SQ , UK .
- Molecular Biophysics Group , Institute of Integrative Biology , Faculty of Health and Life Sciences , University of Liverpool , Liverpool , L69 7ZB , UK
| | - Nigel S Scrutton
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology , 131 Princess Street , Manchester M1 7DN , UK
| | - Colin R Andrew
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Eastern Oregon University , La Grande , Oregon 97850 , USA .
| | - Michael A Hough
- School of Biological Sciences , University of Essex , Wivenhoe Park , Colchester , Essex CO4 3SQ , UK .
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11
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Horrell S, Kekilli D, Strange RW, Hough MA. Recent structural insights into the function of copper nitrite reductases. Metallomics 2017; 9:1470-1482. [DOI: 10.1039/c7mt00146k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Copper nitrite reductases (CuNiRs) catalyse the reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide as part of the denitrification pathway. In this review, we describe insights into CuNiR function from structural studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Horrell
- School of Biological Sciences
- University of Essex
- Colchester
- UK
| | - Demet Kekilli
- School of Biological Sciences
- University of Essex
- Colchester
- UK
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Horrell S, Antonyuk SV, Eady RR, Hasnain SS, Hough MA, Strange RW. Serial crystallography captures enzyme catalysis in copper nitrite reductase at atomic resolution from one crystal. IUCRJ 2016; 3:271-81. [PMID: 27437114 PMCID: PMC4937782 DOI: 10.1107/s205225251600823x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Relating individual protein crystal structures to an enzyme mechanism remains a major and challenging goal for structural biology. Serial crystallography using multiple crystals has recently been reported in both synchrotron-radiation and X-ray free-electron laser experiments. In this work, serial crystallography was used to obtain multiple structures serially from one crystal (MSOX) to study in crystallo enzyme catalysis. Rapid, shutterless X-ray detector technology on a synchrotron MX beamline was exploited to perform low-dose serial crystallography on a single copper nitrite reductase crystal, which survived long enough for 45 consecutive 100 K X-ray structures to be collected at 1.07-1.62 Å resolution, all sampled from the same crystal volume. This serial crystallography approach revealed the gradual conversion of the substrate bound at the catalytic type 2 Cu centre from nitrite to nitric oxide, following reduction of the type 1 Cu electron-transfer centre by X-ray-generated solvated electrons. Significant, well defined structural rearrangements in the active site are evident in the series as the enzyme moves through its catalytic cycle, namely nitrite reduction, which is a vital step in the global denitrification process. It is proposed that such a serial crystallography approach is widely applicable for studying any redox or electron-driven enzyme reactions from a single protein crystal. It can provide a 'catalytic reaction movie' highlighting the structural changes that occur during enzyme catalysis. The anticipated developments in the automation of data analysis and modelling are likely to allow seamless and near-real-time analysis of such data on-site at some of the powerful synchrotron crystallographic beamlines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Horrell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, England
| | - Svetlana V. Antonyuk
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Life Sciences Building, Liverpool L69 7ZB, England
| | - Robert R. Eady
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Life Sciences Building, Liverpool L69 7ZB, England
| | - S. Samar Hasnain
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Life Sciences Building, Liverpool L69 7ZB, England
| | - Michael A. Hough
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, England
| | - Richard W. Strange
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, England
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Abstract
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Metal ions and metallocofactors play important
roles in a broad
range of biochemical reactions. Accordingly, it has been estimated
that as much as 25–50% of the proteome uses transition metal
ions to carry out a variety of essential functions. The metal ions
incorporated within metalloproteins fulfill functional roles based
on chemical properties, the diversity of which arises as transition
metals can adopt different redox states and geometries, dictated by
the identity of the metal and the protein environment. The coupling
of a metal ion with an organic framework in metallocofactors, such
as heme and cobalamin, further expands the chemical functionality
of metals in biology. The three-dimensional visualization of metal
ions and complex metallocofactors within a protein scaffold is often
a starting point for enzymology, highlighting the importance of structural
characterization of metalloproteins. Metalloprotein crystallography,
however, presents a number of implicit challenges including correctly
incorporating the relevant metal or metallocofactor, maintaining the
proper environment for the protein to be purified and crystallized
(including providing anaerobic, cold, or aphotic environments), and
being mindful of the possibility of X-ray induced damage to the proteins
or incorporated metal ions. Nevertheless, the incorporated metals
or metallocofactors also present unique advantages in metalloprotein
crystallography. The significant resonance that metals undergo with
X-ray photons at wavelengths used for protein crystallography and
the rich electronic properties of metals, which provide intense and
spectroscopically unique signatures, allow a metalloprotein crystallographer
to use anomalous dispersion to determine phases for structure solution
and to use simultaneous or parallel spectroscopic techniques on single
crystals. These properties, coupled with the improved brightness of
beamlines, the ability to tune the wavelength of the X-ray beam, the
availability of advanced detectors, and the incorporation of spectroscopic
equipment at a number of synchrotron beamlines, have yielded exciting
developments in metalloprotein structure determination. Here we will
present results on the advantageous uses of metals in metalloprotein
crystallography, including using metallocofactors to obtain phasing
information, using K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy to identify
metals coordinated in metalloprotein crystals, and using UV–vis
spectroscopy on crystals to probe the enzymatic activity of the crystallized
protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. J. Bowman
- Department
of Chemistry, ‡Department of Biology, and §Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jennifer Bridwell-Rabb
- Department
of Chemistry, ‡Department of Biology, and §Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Catherine L. Drennan
- Department
of Chemistry, ‡Department of Biology, and §Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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Blakeley MP, Hasnain SS, Antonyuk SV. Sub-atomic resolution X-ray crystallography and neutron crystallography: promise, challenges and potential. IUCRJ 2015; 2:464-74. [PMID: 26175905 PMCID: PMC4491318 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252515011239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The International Year of Crystallography saw the number of macromolecular structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank cross the 100000 mark, with more than 90000 of these provided by X-ray crystallography. The number of X-ray structures determined to sub-atomic resolution (i.e. ≤1 Å) has passed 600 and this is likely to continue to grow rapidly with diffraction-limited synchrotron radiation sources such as MAX-IV (Sweden) and Sirius (Brazil) under construction. A dozen X-ray structures have been deposited to ultra-high resolution (i.e. ≤0.7 Å), for which precise electron density can be exploited to obtain charge density and provide information on the bonding character of catalytic or electron transfer sites. Although the development of neutron macromolecular crystallography over the years has been far less pronounced, and its application much less widespread, the availability of new and improved instrumentation, combined with dedicated deuteration facilities, are beginning to transform the field. Of the 83 macromolecular structures deposited with neutron diffraction data, more than half (49/83, 59%) were released since 2010. Sub-mm(3) crystals are now regularly being used for data collection, structures have been determined to atomic resolution for a few small proteins, and much larger unit-cell systems (cell edges >100 Å) are being successfully studied. While some details relating to H-atom positions are tractable with X-ray crystallography at sub-atomic resolution, the mobility of certain H atoms precludes them from being located. In addition, highly polarized H atoms and protons (H(+)) remain invisible with X-rays. Moreover, the majority of X-ray structures are determined from cryo-cooled crystals at 100 K, and, although radiation damage can be strongly controlled, especially since the advent of shutterless fast detectors, and by using limited doses and crystal translation at micro-focus beams, radiation damage can still take place. Neutron crystallography therefore remains the only approach where diffraction data can be collected at room temperature without radiation damage issues and the only approach to locate mobile or highly polarized H atoms and protons. Here a review of the current status of sub-atomic X-ray and neutron macromolecular crystallography is given and future prospects for combined approaches are outlined. New results from two metalloproteins, copper nitrite reductase and cytochrome c', are also included, which illustrate the type of information that can be obtained from sub-atomic-resolution (∼0.8 Å) X-ray structures, while also highlighting the need for complementary neutron studies that can provide details of H atoms not provided by X-ray crystallography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P. Blakeley
- Large-Scale Structures Group, Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Samar S. Hasnain
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK
| | - Svetlana V. Antonyuk
- Molecular Biophysics Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK
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Ghafoor DD, Kekilli D, Abdullah GH, Dworkowski FSN, Hassan HG, Wilson MT, Strange RW, Hough MA. Hydrogen bonding of the dissociated histidine ligand is not required for formation of a proximal NO adduct in cytochrome c'. J Biol Inorg Chem 2015; 20:949-56. [PMID: 26100643 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-015-1278-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cytochromes c', that occur in methanotrophic, denitrifying and photosynthetic bacteria, form unusual proximal penta-coordinate NO complexes via a hexa-coordinate distal NO intermediate. Their NO binding properties are similar to those of the eukaryotic NO sensor, soluble guanylate cyclase, for which they provide a valuable structural model. Previous studies suggested that hydrogen bonding between the displaced proximal histidine (His120) ligand (following its dissociation from heme due to trans effects from the distally bound NO) and a conserved aspartate residue (Asp121) could play a key role in allowing proximal NO binding to occur. We have characterized three variants of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans cytochrome c' (AXCP) where Asp121 has been replaced by Ala, Ile and Gln, respectively. In all variants, hydrogen bonding between residue 121 and His120 is abolished yet 5-coordinate proximal NO species are still formed. Our data therefore demonstrate that the His120-Asp121 bond is not essential for proximal NO binding although it likely provides an energy minimum for the displaced His ligand. All variants have altered proximal pocket structure relative to native AXCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dlzar D Ghafoor
- Faculty of Science and Education Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
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16
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Ronda L, Bruno S, Bettati S, Storici P, Mozzarelli A. From protein structure to function via single crystal optical spectroscopy. Front Mol Biosci 2015; 2:12. [PMID: 25988179 PMCID: PMC4428442 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2015.00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The more than 100,000 protein structures determined by X-ray crystallography provide a wealth of information for the characterization of biological processes at the molecular level. However, several crystallographic “artifacts,” including conformational selection, crystallization conditions and radiation damages, may affect the quality and the interpretation of the electron density maps, thus limiting the relevance of structure determinations. Moreover, for most of these structures, no functional data have been obtained in the crystalline state, thus posing serious questions on their validity in infereing protein mechanisms. In order to solve these issues, spectroscopic methods have been applied for the determination of equilibrium and kinetic properties of proteins in the crystalline state. These methods are UV-vis spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry, IR, EPR, Raman, and resonance Raman spectroscopy. Some of these approaches have been implemented with on-line instruments at X-ray synchrotron beamlines. Here, we provide an overview of investigations predominantly carried out in our laboratory by single crystal polarized absorption UV-vis microspectrophotometry, the most applied technique for the functional characterization of proteins in the crystalline state. Studies on hemoglobins, pyridoxal 5′-phosphate dependent enzymes and green fluorescent protein in the crystalline state have addressed key biological issues, leading to either straightforward structure-function correlations or limitations to structure-based mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Ronda
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Parma Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Bruno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Bettati
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Parma Parma, Italy ; National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Mozzarelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma Parma, Italy ; National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems Rome, Italy ; Institute of Biophysics, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Pisa, Italy
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17
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Kimura Y, Kasuga S, Unno M, Furusawa T, Osoegawa S, Sasaki Y, Ohno T, Wang-Otomo ZY. The roles of C-terminal residues on the thermal stability and local heme environment of cytochrome c' from the thermophilic purple sulfur bacterium Thermochromatium tepidum. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2015; 124:19-29. [PMID: 25519852 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-014-0069-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A soluble cytochrome (Cyt) c' from thermophilic purple sulfur photosynthetic bacterium Thermochromatium (Tch.) tepidum exhibits marked thermal tolerance compared with that from the closely related mesophilic counterpart Allochromatium vinosum. Here, we focused on the difference in the C-terminal region of the two Cyts c' and examined the effects of D131 and R129 mutations on the thermal stability and local heme environment of Cyt c' by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy. In the oxidized forms, D131K and D131G mutants exhibited denaturing temperatures significantly lower than that of the recombinant control Cyt c'. In contrast, R129K and R129A mutants denatured at nearly identical temperatures with the control Cyt c', indicating that the C-terminal D131 is an important residue maintaining the enhanced thermal stability of Tch. tepidum Cyt c'. The control Cyt c' and all of the mutants increased their thermal stability upon the reduction. Interestingly, D131K exhibited narrow DSC curves and unusual thermodynamic parameters in both redox states. The RR spectra of the control Cyt c' exhibited characteristic bands at 1,635 and 1,625 cm(-1), ascribed to intermediate spin (IS) and high spin (HS) states, respectively. The IS/HS distribution was differently affected by the D131 and R129 mutations and pH changes. Furthermore, R129 mutants suggested the lowering of their redox potentials. These results strongly indicate that the D131 and R129 residues play significant roles in maintaining the thermal stability and modulating the local heme environment of Tch. tepidum Cyt c'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Kimura
- Department of Agrobioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Nada, Kobe, 657-8501, Japan,
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18
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Hough MA, Andrew CR. Cytochromes c': Structure, Reactivity and Relevance to Haem-Based Gas Sensing. Adv Microb Physiol 2015; 67:1-84. [PMID: 26616515 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cytochromes c' are a group of class IIa cytochromes with pentacoordinate haem centres and are found in photosynthetic, denitrifying and methanotrophic bacteria. Their function remains unclear, although roles in nitric oxide (NO) trafficking during denitrification or in cellular defence against nitrosoative stress have been proposed. Cytochromes c' are typically dimeric with each c-type haem-containing monomer folding as a four-α-helix bundle. Their hydrophobic and crowded distal sites impose severe restrictions on the binding of distal ligands, including diatomic gases. By contrast, NO binds to the proximal haem face in a similar manner to that of the eukaryotic NO sensor, soluble guanylate cyclase and bacterial analogues. In this review, we focus on how structural features of cytochromes c' influence haem spectroscopy and reactivity with NO, CO and O2. We also discuss the relevance of cytochrome c' to understanding the mechanisms of gas binding to haem-based sensor proteins.
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