Potential use of sugar binding proteins in reactors for regeneration of CO2 fixation acceptor D-Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate

Nature of protein-CO2 interactions as elucidated via molecular dynamics

Rising global temperatures require innovative measures to reduce atmospheric concentrations of CO(2). The most successful carbon capture technology on Earth is the enzymatic capture of CO(2) and its sequestration in the form of glucose. Efforts to improve upon or mimic this naturally occurring process will require a rich understanding of protein-CO(2) interactions. Toward that end, extensive all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the CO(2)-utilizing enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). Preliminary simulations were performed using implicit and explicit solvent models, which yielded similar results: arginine, lysine, tyrosine, and asparagine enhance the ability of a protein to bind carbon dioxide. Extensive explicit solvent simulations were performed for both wild-type PEPCK and five single-point PEPCK mutants, revealing three prevalent channels by which CO(2) enters (or exits) the active site cleft, as well as a fourth channel (observed only once), the existence of which can be rationalized in terms of the position of a key Arg residue. The strongest CO(2) binding sites in these simulations consist of appropriately positioned hydrogen bond donors and acceptors. Interactions between CO(2) and both Mn(2+) and Mg(2+) present in PEPCK are minimal due to the stable protein- and solvent-based coordination environments of these cations. His 232, suggested by X-ray crystallography as being a potential important CO(2) binding site, is indeed found to be particularly "CO(2)-philic" in these simulations. Finally, a recent mechanism, proposed on the basis of X-ray crystallography, for PEPCK active site lid closure is discussed in light of the MD trajectories. Overall, the results of this work will prove useful not only to scientists investigating PEPCK, but also to groups seeking to develop an environmentally benign, protein-based carbon capture, sequestration, and utilization system.

Carbon Dioxide Migration Pathways in Proteins

Some of the most important biological processes, such as carbon fixation, are dependent on protein-gas interactions. The motion of CO2 through the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was investigated using extensive all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Three discrete migration pathways were located, suggesting the protein directs the movement of CO2. The chemical nature of these pathways is discussed, as are their biotechnological ramifications.

Inactive enzymatic mutant proteins (phosphoglycerate mutase and enolase) as sugar binders for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration reactors

Background

Carbon dioxide fixation bioprocess in reactors necessitates recycling of D-ribulose1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) for continuous operation. A radically new close loop of RuBP regenerating reactor design has been proposed that will harbor enzyme-complexes instead of purified enzymes. These reactors will need binders enabling selective capture and release of sugar and intermediate metabolites enabling specific conversions during regeneration. In the current manuscript we describe properties of proteins that will act as potential binders in RuBP regeneration reactors.

Results

We demonstrate specific binding of 3-phosphoglycerate (3PGA) and 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde (3PGAL) from sugar mixtures by inactive mutant of yeast enzymes phosphoglycerate mutase and enolase. The reversibility in binding with respect to pH and EDTA has also been shown. No chemical conversion of incubated sugars or sugar intermediate metabolites were found by the inactive enzymatic proteins. The dissociation constants for sugar metabolites are in the micromolar range, both proteins showed lower dissociation constant (Kd) for 3-phosphoglycerate (655–796 μM) compared to 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde (822–966 μM) indicating higher affinity for 3PGA. The proteins did not show binding to glucose, sucrose or fructose within the sensitivity limits of detection. Phosphoglycerate mutase showed slightly lower stability on repeated use than enolase mutants.

Conclusions

The sugar and their intermediate metabolite binders may have a useful role in RuBP regeneration reactors. The reversibility of binding with respect to changes in physicochemical factors and stability when subjected to repeated changes in these conditions are expected to make the mutant proteins candidates for in-situ removal of sugar intermediate metabolites for forward driving of specific reactions in enzyme-complex reactors.