Structural enzymology studies with the substrate 3S-hydroxybutanoyl-CoA: bifunctional MFE1 is a less efficient dehydrogenase than monofunctional HAD

Multifunctional enzyme, type-1 (MFE1) catalyzes the second and third step of the β-oxidation cycle, being, respectively, the 2E-enoyl-CoA hydratase (ECH) reaction (N-terminal part, crotonase fold) and the NAD+-dependent, 3S-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) reaction (C-terminal part, HAD fold). Structural enzymological properties of rat MFE1 (RnMFE1) as well as of two of its variants, namely the E123A variant (a glutamate of the ECH active site is mutated into alanine) and the BCDE variant (without domain A of the ECH part), were studied, using as substrate 3S-hydroxybutanoyl-CoA. Protein crystallographic binding studies show the hydrogen bond interactions of 3S-hydroxybutanoyl-CoA as well as of its 3-keto, oxidized form, acetoacetyl-CoA, with the catalytic glutamates in the ECH active site. Pre-steady state binding experiments with NAD+ and NADH show that the kon and koff rate constants of the HAD active site of monomeric RnMFE1 and the homologous human, dimeric 3S-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HsHAD) for NAD+ and NADH are very similar, being the same as those observed for the E123A and BCDE variants. However, steady state and pre-steady state kinetic data concerning the HAD-catalyzed dehydrogenation reaction of the substrate 3S-hydroxybutanoyl-CoA show that, respectively, the kcat and kchem rate constants for conversion into acetoacetyl-CoA by RnMFE1 (and its two variants) are about 10 fold lower as when catalyzed by HsHAD. The dynamical properties of dehydrogenases are known to be important for their catalytic efficiency, and it is discussed that the greater complexity of the RnMFE1 fold correlates with the observation that RnMFE1 is a slower dehydrogenase than HsHAD.

Enzymes of the crotonase superfamily: Diverse assembly and diverse function

The crotonase fold is generated by a framework of four repeats of a ββα-unit, extended by two helical regions. The active site of crotonase superfamily (CS) enzymes is located at the N-terminal end of the helix of the third repeat, typically being covered by a C-terminal helix. A major subset of CS-enzymes catalyzes acyl-CoA-dependent reactions, allowing for a diverse range of acyl-tail modifications. Most of these enzymes occur as trimers or hexamers (dimers of trimers), but monomeric forms are also observed. A common feature of the active sites of CS-enzymes is an oxyanion hole, formed by two peptide-NH hydrogen bond donors, which stabilises the negatively charged thioester oxygen atom of the reaction intermediate. Structural properties and possible use of these enzymes for biotechnological applications are discussed.

Structural basis for different membrane-binding properties of E. coli anaerobic and human mitochondrial β-oxidation trifunctional enzymes

Facultative anaerobic bacteria such as Escherichia coli have two α2β2 heterotetrameric trifunctional enzymes (TFE), catalyzing the last three steps of the β-oxidation cycle: soluble aerobic TFE (EcTFE) and membrane-associated anaerobic TFE (anEcTFE), closely related to the human mitochondrial TFE (HsTFE). The cryo-EM structure of anEcTFE and crystal structures of anEcTFE-α show that the overall assembly of anEcTFE and HsTFE is similar. However, their membrane-binding properties differ considerably. The shorter A5-H7 and H8 regions of anEcTFE-α result in weaker α-β as well as α-membrane interactions, respectively. The protruding H-H region of anEcTFE-β is therefore more critical for membrane-association. Mutational studies also show that this region is important for the stability of the anEcTFE-β dimer and anEcTFE heterotetramer. The fatty acyl tail binding tunnel of the anEcTFE-α hydratase domain, as in HsTFE-α, is wider than in EcTFE-α, accommodating longer fatty acyl tails, in good agreement with their respective substrate specificities.

Crystal structures and kinetic studies of a laboratory evolved aldehyde reductase explain the dramatic shift of its new substrate specificity

The Fe²⁺-dependent E. coli enzyme FucO catalyzes the reversible interconversion of short-chain (S)-lactaldehyde and (S)-1,2-propanediol, using NADH and NAD⁺ as cofactors, respectively. Laboratory-directed evolution experiments have been carried out previously using phenylacetaldehyde as the substrate for screening catalytic activity with bulky substrates, which are very poorly reduced by wild-type FucO. These experiments identified the N151G/L259V double mutant (dubbed DA1472) as the most active variant with this substrate via a two-step evolutionary pathway, in which each step consisted of one point mutation. Here the crystal structures of DA1472 and its parent D93 (L259V) are reported, showing that these amino acid substitutions provide more space in the active site, though they do not cause changes in the main-chain conformation. The catalytic activity of DA1472 with the physiological substrate (S)-lactaldehyde and a series of substituted phenylacetaldehyde derivatives were systematically quantified and compared with that of wild-type as well as with the corresponding point-mutation variants (N151G and L259V). There is a 9000-fold increase in activity, when expressed as k_cat/K_M values, for DA1472 compared with wild-type FucO for the phenylacetaldehyde substrate. The crystal structure of DA1472 complexed with a non-reactive analog of this substrate (3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetamide) suggests the mode of binding of the bulky group of the new substrate. These combined structure-function studies therefore explain the dramatic increase in catalytic activity of the DA1472 variant for bulky aldehyde substrates. The structure comparisons also suggest why the active site in which Fe²⁺ is replaced by Zn²⁺ is not able to support catalysis.

The Role of Asn11 in Catalysis by Triosephosphate Isomerase

Four catalytic amino acids at triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) are highly conserved: N11, K13, H95, and E167. Asparagine 11 is the last of these to be characterized in mutagenesis studies. The ND2 side chain atom of N11 is hydrogen bonded to the O-1 hydroxyl of enzyme-bound dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), and it sits in an extended chain of hydrogen-bonded side chains that includes T75' from the second subunit. The N11A variants of wild-type TIM from Trypanosoma brucei brucei (TbbTIM) and Leishmania mexicana (LmTIM) undergo dissociation from the dimer to monomer under our assay conditions. Values of K_as = 8 × 10³ and 1 × 10⁶ M^-1, respectively, were determined for the conversion of monomeric N11A TbbTIM and LmTIM into their homodimers. The N11A substitution at the variant of LmTIM previously stabilized by the E65Q substitution gives the N11A/E65Q variant that is stable to dissociation under our assay conditions. The X-ray crystal structure of N11A/E65Q LmTIM shows an active site that is essentially superimposable on that for wild-type TbbTIM, which also has a glutamine at position 65. A comparison of the kinetic parameters for E65Q LmTIM and N11A/E65Q LmTIM-catalyzed reactions of (R)-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP) and (DHAP) shows that the N11A substitution results in a (13-14)-fold decrease in k_cat/K_m for substrate isomerization and a similar decrease in k_cat for DHAP but only a 2-fold decrease in k_cat for GAP.

Thiolase: A Versatile Biocatalyst Employing CoA-Thioester Chemistry for Making and Breaking C-C Bonds

Thiolases are CoA-dependent enzymes that catalyze the thiolytic cleavage of 3-ketoacyl-CoA, as well as its reverse reaction, which is the thioester-dependent Claisen condensation reaction. Thiolases are dimers or tetramers (dimers of dimers). All thiolases have two reactive cysteines: (a) a nucleophilic cysteine, which forms a covalent intermediate, and (b) an acid/base cysteine. The best characterized thiolase is the Zoogloea ramigera thiolase, which is a bacterial biosynthetic thiolase belonging to the CT-thiolase subfamily. The thiolase active site is also characterized by two oxyanion holes, two active site waters, and four catalytic loops with characteristic amino acid sequence fingerprints. Three thiolase subfamilies can be identified, each characterized by a unique sequence fingerprint for one of their catalytic loops, which causes unique active site properties. Recent insights concerning the thiolase reaction mechanism, as obtained from recent structural studies, as well as from classical and recent enzymological studies, are addressed, and open questions are discussed. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biochemistry, Volume 92 is June 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Substrate specificity and conformational flexibility properties of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis β-oxidation trifunctional enzyme

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis trifunctional enzyme (MtTFE) is an α₂β₂ tetrameric enzyme. The α -chain harbors the 2E-enoyl-CoA hydratase (ECH) and 3S-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) activities and the β -chain provides the 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (KAT) activity. Enzyme kinetic data reported here show that medium and long chain enoyl-CoA molecules are preferred substrates for MtTFE. Modelling studies indicate how the linear medium and long chain acyl chains of these substrates can bind to each of the active sites. In addition, crystallographic binding studies have identified three new CoA binding sites which are different from the previously known CoA binding sites of the three TFE active sites. Structure comparisons provide new insights into the properties of ECH, HAD and KAT active sites of MtTFE. The interactions of the adenine moiety of CoA with loop-2 of the ECH active site cause a conformational change of this loop by which a competent ECH active site is formed. The NAD⁺ binding domain (domain C) of the HAD part of MtTFE has only a few interactions with the rest of the complex and adopts a range of open conformations, whereas the A-domain of the ECH part is rigidly fixed with respect to the HAD part. Two loops, the CB1-CA1 region and the catalytic CB4-CB5 loop, near the thiolase active site and the thiolase dimer interface, have high B-factors. Structure comparisons suggest that a competent and stable thiolase dimer is formed only when complexed with the α -chains, highlighting the importance of the assembly for the proper functioning of the complex.

IceBear: an intuitive and versatile web application for research-data tracking from crystallization experiment to PDB deposition

The web-based IceBear software is a versatile tool to monitor the results of crystallization experiments and is designed to facilitate supervisor and student communications. It also records and tracks all relevant information from crystallization setup to PDB deposition in protein crystallography projects. Fully automated data collection is now possible at several synchrotrons, which means that the number of samples tested at the synchrotron is currently increasing rapidly. Therefore, the protein crystallography research communities at the University of Oulu, Weizmann Institute of Science and Diamond Light Source have joined forces to automate the uploading of sample metadata to the synchrotron. In IceBear, each crystal selected for data collection is given a unique sample name and a crystal page is generated. Subsequently, the metadata required for data collection are uploaded directly to the ISPyB synchrotron database by a shipment module, and for each sample a link to the relevant ISPyB page is stored. IceBear allows notes to be made for each sample during cryocooling treatment and during data collection, as well as in later steps of the structure determination. Protocols are also available to aid the recycling of pins, pucks and dewars when the dewar returns from the synchrotron. The IceBear database is organized around projects, and project members can easily access the crystallization and diffraction metadata for each sample, as well as any additional information that has been provided via the notes. The crystal page for each sample connects the crystallization, diffraction and structural information by providing links to the IceBear drop-viewer page and to the ISPyB data-collection page, as well as to the structure deposited in the Protein Data Bank.

Structure of transmembrane prolyl 4-hydroxylase reveals unique organization of EF and dioxygenase domains

Prolyl 4-hydroxylases (P4Hs) catalyze post-translational hydroxylation of peptidyl proline residues. In addition to collagen P4Hs and hypoxia-inducible factor P4Hs, a third P4H-the poorly characterized endoplasmic reticulum-localized transmembrane prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H-TM)-is found in animals. P4H-TM variants are associated with the familiar neurological HIDEA syndrome, but how these variants might contribute to disease is unknown. Here, we explored this question in a structural and functional analysis of soluble human P4H-TM. The crystal structure revealed an EF domain with two Ca2+-binding motifs inserted within the catalytic domain. A substrate-binding groove was formed between the EF domain and the conserved core of the catalytic domain. The proximity of the EF domain to the active site suggests that Ca2+ binding is relevant to the catalytic activity. Functional analysis demonstrated that Ca2+-binding affinity of P4H-TM is within the range of physiological Ca2+ concentration in the endoplasmic reticulum. P4H-TM was found both as a monomer and a dimer in the solution, but the monomer-dimer equilibrium was not regulated by Ca2+. The catalytic site contained bound Fe2+ and N-oxalylglycine, which is an analogue of the cosubstrate 2-oxoglutarate. Comparison with homologous P4H structures complexed with peptide substrates showed that the substrate-interacting residues and the lid structure that folds over the substrate are conserved in P4H-TM, whereas the extensive loop structures that surround the substrate-binding groove, generating a negative surface potential, are different. Analysis of the structure suggests that the HIDEA variants cause loss of P4H-TM function. In conclusion, P4H-TM shares key structural elements with other P4Hs while having a unique EF domain.

Structural enzymology binding studies of the peptide-substrate-binding domain of human collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase (type-II): High affinity peptides have a PxGP sequence motif

The peptide-substrate-binding (PSB) domain of collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase (C-P4H, an α₂ β₂ tetramer) binds proline-rich procollagen peptides. This helical domain (the middle domain of the α subunit) has an important role concerning the substrate binding properties of C-P4H, although it is not known how the PSB domain influences the hydroxylation properties of the catalytic domain (the C-terminal domain of the α subunit). The crystal structures of the PSB domain of the human C-P4H isoform II (PSB-II) complexed with and without various short proline-rich peptides are described. The comparison with the previously determined PSB-I peptide complex structures shows that the C-P4H-I substrate peptide (PPG)₃ , has at most very weak affinity for PSB-II, although it binds with high affinity to PSB-I. The replacement of the middle PPG triplet of (PPG)₃ to the nonhydroxylatable PAG, PRG, or PEG triplet, increases greatly the affinity of PSB-II for these peptides, leading to a deeper mode of binding, as compared to the previously determined PSB-I peptide complexes. In these PSB-II complexes, the two peptidyl prolines of its central P(A/R/E)GP region bind in the Pro5 and Pro8 binding pockets of the PSB peptide-binding groove, and direct hydrogen bonds are formed between the peptide and the side chains of the highly conserved residues Tyr158, Arg223, and Asn227, replacing water mediated interactions in the corresponding PSB-I complex. These results suggest that PxGP (where x is not a proline) is the common motif of proline-rich peptide sequences that bind with high affinity to PSB-II.

Crystal structure of human anterior gradient protein 3

Oxidative protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum is catalyzed by the protein disulfide isomerase family of proteins. Of the 20 recognized human family members, the structures of eight have been deposited in the PDB along with domains from six more. Three members of this family, ERp18, anterior gradient protein 2 (AGR2) and anterior gradient protein 3 (AGR3), are single-domain proteins which share sequence similarity. While ERp18 has a canonical active-site motif and is involved in native disulfide-bond formation, AGR2 and AGR3 lack elements of the active-site motif found in other family members and may both interact with mucins. In order to better define its function, the structure of AGR3 is required. Here, the recombinant expression, purification, crystallization and crystal structure of human AGR3 are described.

De novo biosynthesis of sterols and fatty acids in the Trypanosoma brucei procyclic form: Carbon source preferences and metabolic flux redistributions

De novo biosynthesis of lipids is essential for Trypanosoma brucei, a protist responsible for the sleeping sickness. Here, we demonstrate that the ketogenic carbon sources, threonine, acetate and glucose, are precursors for both fatty acid and sterol synthesis, while leucine only contributes to sterol production in the tsetse fly midgut stage of the parasite. Degradation of these carbon sources into lipids was investigated using a combination of reverse genetics and analysis of radio-labelled precursors incorporation into lipids. For instance, (i) deletion of the gene encoding isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, involved in the leucine degradation pathway, abolished leucine incorporation into sterols, and (ii) RNAi-mediated down-regulation of the SCP2-thiolase gene expression abolished incorporation of the three ketogenic carbon sources into sterols. The SCP2-thiolase is part of a unidirectional two-step bridge between the fatty acid precursor, acetyl-CoA, and the precursor of the mevalonate pathway leading to sterol biosynthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA. Metabolic flux through this bridge is increased either in the isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase null mutant or when the degradation of the ketogenic carbon sources is affected. We also observed a preference for fatty acids synthesis from ketogenic carbon sources, since blocking acetyl-CoA production from both glucose and threonine abolished acetate incorporation into sterols, while incorporation of acetate into fatty acids was increased. Interestingly, the growth of the isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase null mutant, but not that of the parental cells, is interrupted in the absence of ketogenic carbon sources, including lipids, which demonstrates the essential role of the mevalonate pathway. We concluded that procyclic trypanosomes have a strong preference for fatty acid versus sterol biosynthesis from ketogenic carbon sources, and as a consequence, that leucine is likely to be the main source, if not the only one, used by trypanosomes in the infected insect vector digestive tract to feed the mevalonate pathway.

Structural enzymology comparisons of multifunctional enzyme, type-1 (MFE1): the flexibility of its dehydrogenase part

Multifunctional enzyme, type‐1 (MFE1) is a monomeric enzyme with a 2E‐enoyl‐CoA hydratase and a 3S‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) active site. Enzyme kinetic data of rat peroxisomal MFE1 show that the catalytic efficiencies for converting the short‐chain substrate 2E‐butenoyl‐CoA into acetoacetyl‐CoA are much lower when compared with those of the homologous monofunctional enzymes. The mode of binding of acetoacetyl‐CoA (to the hydratase active site) and the very similar mode of binding of NAD⁺ and NADH (to the HAD part) are described and compared with those of their monofunctional counterparts. Structural comparisons suggest that the conformational flexibility of the HAD and hydratase parts of MFE1 are correlated. The possible importance of the conformational flexibility of MFE1 for its biocatalytic properties is discussed.

Database

Structural data are available in PDB database under the accession number 5MGB.

Crystallographic substrate binding studies of Leishmania mexicana SCP2-thiolase (type-2): unique features of oxyanion hole-1

C

Structures of the C123A variant of the dimeric Leishmania mexicana SCP2-thiolase (type-2) (Lm-thiolase), complexed with acetyl-CoA and acetoacetyl-CoA, respectively, are reported. The catalytic site of thiolase contains two oxyanion holes, OAH1 and OAH2, which are important for catalysis. The two structures reveal for the first time the hydrogen bond interactions of the CoA-thioester oxygen atom of the substrate with the hydrogen bond donors of OAH1 of a CHH-thiolase. The amino acid sequence fingerprints ( xS, EAF, G P) of three catalytic loops identify the active site geometry of the well-studied CNH-thiolases, whereas SCP2-thiolases (type-1, type-2) are classified as CHH-thiolases, having as corresponding fingerprints xS, DCF and G P. In all thiolases, OAH2 is formed by the main chain NH groups of two catalytic loops. In the well-studied CNH-thiolases, OAH1 is formed by a water (of the Wat-Asn(NEAF) dyad) and NE2 (of the GHP-histidine). In the two described liganded Lm-thiolase structures, it is seen that in this CHH-thiolase, OAH1 is formed by NE2 of His338 (HDCF) and His388 (GHP). Analysis of the OAH1 hydrogen bond networks suggests that the GHP-histidine is doubly protonated and positively charged in these complexes, whereas the HDCF histidine is neutral and singly protonated.

Crystal structure of a thiolase from Escherichia coli at 1.8 Å resolution

Thiolases catalyze the Claisen condensation of two acetyl-CoA molecules to give acetoacetyl-CoA, as well as the reverse degradative reaction. Four genes coding for thiolases or thiolase-like proteins are found in the Escherichia coli genome. In this communication, the successful cloning, purification, crystallization and structure determination at 1.8 Å resolution of a homotetrameric E. coli thiolase are reported. The structure of E. coli thiolase co-crystallized with acetyl-CoA at 1.9 Å resolution is also reported. As observed in other tetrameric thiolases, the present E. coli thiolase is a dimer of two tight dimers and probably functions as a biodegradative enzyme. Comparison of the structure and biochemical properties of the E. coli enzyme with those of other well studied thiolases reveals certain novel features of this enzyme, such as the modification of a lysine in the dimeric interface, the possible oxidation of the catalytic Cys88 in the structure of the enzyme obtained in the presence of CoA and active-site hydration. The tetrameric enzyme also displays an interesting departure from exact 222 symmetry, which is probably related to the deformation of the tetramerization domain that stabilizes the oligomeric structure of the protein. The current study allows the identification of substrate-binding amino-acid residues and water networks at the active site and provides the structural framework required for understanding the biochemical properties as well as the physiological function of this E. coli thiolase.

Crystal structures of two monomeric triosephosphate isomerase variants identified via a directed-evolution protocol selecting for L-arabinose isomerase activity

The crystal structures are described of two variants of A-TIM: Ma18 (2.7 Å resolution) and Ma21 (1.55 Å resolution). A-TIM is a monomeric loop-deletion variant of triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) which has lost the TIM catalytic properties. Ma18 and Ma21 were identified after extensive directed-evolution selection experiments using an Escherichia coli L-arabinose isomerase knockout strain expressing a randomly mutated A-TIM gene. These variants facilitate better growth of the Escherichia coli selection strain in medium supplemented with 40 mM L-arabinose. Ma18 and Ma21 differ from A-TIM by four and one point mutations, respectively. Ma18 and Ma21 are more stable proteins than A-TIM, as judged from CD melting experiments. Like A-TIM, both proteins are monomeric in solution. In the Ma18 crystal structure loop 6 is open and in the Ma21 crystal structure loop 6 is closed, being stabilized by a bound glycolate molecule. The crystal structures show only small differences in the active site compared with A-TIM. In the case of Ma21 it is observed that the point mutation (Q65L) contributes to small structural rearrangements near Asn11 of loop 1, which correlate with different ligand-binding properties such as a loss of citrate binding in the active site. The Ma21 structure also shows that its Leu65 side chain is involved in van der Waals interactions with neighbouring hydrophobic side-chain moieties, correlating with its increased stability. The experimental data suggest that the increased stability and solubility properties of Ma21 and Ma18 compared with A-TIM cause better growth of the selection strain when coexpressing Ma21 and Ma18 instead of A-TIM.

Structure-Function Studies of Hydrophobic Residues That Clamp a Basic Glutamate Side Chain during Catalysis by Triosephosphate Isomerase

Kinetic parameters are reported for the reactions of whole substrates (k_cat/K_m, M^–1 s^–1) (R)-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP) and dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and for the substrate pieces [(k_cat/K_m)_E·HPi/K_d, M^–2 s^–1] glycolaldehyde (GA) and phosphite dianion (HP_i) catalyzed by the I172A/L232A mutant of triosephosphate isomerase from Trypanosoma brucei brucei (TbbTIM). A comparison with the corresponding parameters for wild-type, I172A, and L232A TbbTIM-catalyzed reactions shows that the effect of I172A and L232A mutations on ΔG^⧧ for the wild-type TbbTIM-catalyzed reactions of the substrate pieces is nearly the same as the effect of the same mutations on TbbTIM previously mutated at the second side chain. This provides strong evidence that mutation of the first hydrophobic side chain does not affect the functioning of the second side chain in catalysis of the reactions of the substrate pieces. By contrast, the effects of I172A and L232A mutations on ΔG^⧧ for wild-type TbbTIM-catalyzed reactions of the whole substrate are different from the effect of the same mutations on TbbTIM previously mutated at the second side chain. This is due to the change in the rate-determining step that determines the barrier to the isomerization reaction. X-ray crystal structures are reported for I172A, L232A, and I172A/L232A TIMs and for the complexes of these mutants to the intermediate analogue phosphoglycolate (PGA). The structures of the PGA complexes with wild-type and mutant enzymes are nearly superimposable, except that the space opened by replacement of the hydrophobic side chain is occupied by a water molecule that lies ∼3.5 Å from the basic side chain of Glu167. The new water at I172A mutant TbbTIM provides a simple rationalization for the increase in the activation barrier ΔG^⧧ observed for mutant enzyme-catalyzed reactions of the whole substrate and substrate pieces. By contrast, the new water at the L232A mutant does not predict the decrease in ΔG^⧧ observed for the mutant enzyme-catalyzed reactions of the substrate piece GA.

The SCP2-thiolase-like protein (SLP) of Trypanosoma brucei is an enzyme involved in lipid metabolism

Bioinformatics studies have shown that the genomes of trypanosomatid species each encode one SCP2-thiolase-like protein (SLP), which is characterized by having the YDCF thiolase sequence fingerprint of the Cβ2-Cα2 loop. SLPs are only encoded by the genomes of these parasitic protists and not by those of mammals, including human. Deletion of the Trypanosoma brucei SLP gene (TbSLP) increases the doubling time of procyclic T. brucei and causes a 5-fold reduction of de novo sterol biosynthesis from glucose- and acetate-derived acetyl-CoA. Fluorescence analyses of EGFP-tagged TbSLP expressed in the parasite located the TbSLP in the mitochondrion. The crystal structure of TbSLP (refined at 1.75 Å resolution) confirms that TbSLP has the canonical dimeric thiolase fold. In addition, the structures of the TbSLP-acetoacetyl-CoA (1.90 Å) and TbSLP-malonyl-CoA (2.30 Å) complexes reveal that the two oxyanion holes of the thiolase active site are preserved. TbSLP binds malonyl-CoA tightly (Kd 90 µM), acetoacetyl-CoA moderately (Kd 0.9 mM) and acetyl-CoA and CoA very weakly. TbSLP possesses low malonyl-CoA decarboxylase activity. Altogether, the data show that TbSLP is a mitochondrial enzyme involved in lipid metabolism. Proteins 2016; 84:1075-1096. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The extended structure of the periplasmic region of CdsD, a structural protein of the type III secretion system of Chlamydia trachomatis

The type III secretion system (T3SS) is required for the virulence of many gram-negative bacterial human pathogens. It is composed of several structural proteins, forming the secretion needle and its basis, the basal body. In Chlamydia spp., the T3SS inner membrane ring (IM-ring) of the basal body is formed by the periplasmic part of CdsD (outer ring) and CdsJ (inner ring). Here we describe the crystal structure of the C-terminal, periplasmic part of CdsD, not including the last 60 residues. Two crystal forms were obtained, grown in three different crystallization conditions. In both crystal forms there is one molecule per asymmetric unit adopting a similar extended structure. The structures consist of three periplasmic domains (PDs) of similar αββαβ topology as seen also in the structures of the homologous PrgH (Salmonella typhimurium) and YscD (Yersinia enterocolitica). Only in the C2 crystal form, there is a C-terminal additional helix after the PD3 domain. The relative orientation of the three subsequent CdsD PD domains with respect to each other is more extended than in PrgH but less extended than in YscD. Small-angle X-ray scattering data show that also in solution this CdsD construct adopts the same elongated shape. In both crystal forms the CdsD molecules are packed in a parallel fashion, using translational crystallographic symmetry. The most extensive crystal contacts are preserved in both crystal forms, suggesting a possible mode of assembly of the CdsD periplasmic part into a 24-mer complex forming the outer ring of the IM-ring of the T3SS.

Structures of yeast peroxisomal Δ(3),Δ(2)-enoyl-CoA isomerase complexed with acyl-CoA substrate analogues: the importance of hydrogen-bond networks for the reactivity of the catalytic base and the oxyanion hole

Δ(3),Δ(2)-Enoyl-CoA isomerases (ECIs) catalyze the shift of a double bond from 3Z- or 3E-enoyl-CoA to 2E-enoyl-CoA. ECIs are members of the crotonase superfamily. The crotonase framework is used by many enzymes to catalyze a wide range of reactions on acyl-CoA thioesters. The thioester O atom is bound in a conserved oxyanion hole. Here, the mode of binding of acyl-CoA substrate analogues to peroxisomal Saccharomyces cerevisiae ECI (ScECI2) is described. The best defined part of the bound acyl-CoA molecules is the 3',5'-diphosphate-adenosine moiety, which interacts with residues of loop 1 and loop 2, whereas the pantetheine part is the least well defined. The catalytic base, Glu158, is hydrogen-bonded to the Asn101 side chain and is further hydrogen-bonded to the side chain of Arg100 in the apo structure. Arg100 is completely buried in the apo structure and a conformational change of the Arg100 side chain appears to be important for substrate binding and catalysis. The oxyanion hole is formed by the NH groups of Ala70 (loop 2) and Leu126 (helix 3). The O atoms of the corresponding peptide units, Gly69 O and Gly125 O, are both part of extensive hydrogen-bond networks. These hydrogen-bond networks are a conserved feature of the crotonase oxyanion hole and their importance for catalysis is discussed.

ATGme: Open-source web application for rare codon identification and custom DNA sequence optimization

Background

Codon usage plays a crucial role when recombinant proteins are expressed in different organisms. This is especially the case if the codon usage frequency of the organism of origin and the target host organism differ significantly, for example when a human gene is expressed in E. coli. Therefore, to enable or enhance efficient gene expression it is of great importance to identify rare codons in any given DNA sequence and subsequently mutate these to codons which are more frequently used in the expression host.

Results

We describe an open-source web-based application, ATGme, which can in a first step identify rare and highly rare codons from most organisms, and secondly gives the user the possibility to optimize the sequence.

Conclusions

This application provides a simple user-friendly interface utilizing three optimization strategies: 1. one-click optimization, 2. bulk optimization (by codon-type), 3. individualized custom (codon-by-codon) optimization. ATGme is an open-source application which is freely available at: http://atgme.org

Structure-based directed evolution of a monomeric triosephosphate isomerase: toward a pentose sugar isomerase

Through structure-based and directed evolution approaches, a new catalytic activity has been established on the (β/α)8 barrel enzyme triosephosphate isomerase (TIM). This work started from ml8bTIM, a monomeric variant of TIM, in which the phosphate-binding loop (loop-8) had been shortened. Structure analysis suggested an additional point mutation (V233A), converting ml8bTIM into A-TIM. A-TIM has no detectable TIM activity, but it binds the TIM transition state analog, 2-phosphoglycollate. In an in vivo selection approach, we aimed at transferring the activity of three sugar isomerases (L-arabinose isomerase (L-AI), D-xylose isomerase A (D-XI) and D-ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (D-RPI)) onto A-TIM. Escherichia coli knockout variants were constructed, lacking E. coli L-AI, D-XI and D-RPI activities, respectively. Through a systematic approach, new A-TIM variants were obtained only from selection experiments with the L-AI knockout strain. Selection for D-RPI activity was impossible because of an impaired strain due to the gene knockouts. The selection for D-XI activity was unsuccessful, showing the importance of the starting protein for obtaining new biocatalytic properties. The L-AI-directed evolution experiments show that A-TIM already has residual in vivo L-AI activity. Most of the mutations providing A-TIM with enhanced L-AI activity are located in the loops between β-strands and the subsequent α-helices.

The crystal structure of human mitochondrial 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (T1): insight into the reaction mechanism of its thiolase and thioesterase activities

Crystal structures of human mitochondrial 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (hT1) in the apo form and in complex with CoA have been determined at 2.0 Å resolution. The structures confirm the tetrameric quaternary structure of this degradative thiolase. The active site is surprisingly similar to the active site of the Zoogloea ramigera biosynthetic tetrameric thiolase (PDB entries 1dm3 and 1m1o) and different from the active site of the peroxisomal dimeric degradative thiolase (PDB entries 1afw and 2iik). A cavity analysis suggests a mode of binding for the fatty-acyl tail in a tunnel lined by the Nβ2-Nα2 loop of the adjacent subunit and the Lα1 helix of the loop domain. Soaking of the apo hT1 crystals with octanoyl-CoA resulted in a crystal structure in complex with CoA owing to the intrinsic acyl-CoA thioesterase activity of hT1. Solution studies confirm that hT1 has low acyl-CoA thioesterase activity for fatty acyl-CoA substrates. The fastest rate is observed for the hydrolysis of butyryl-CoA. It is also shown that T1 has significant biosynthetic thiolase activity, which is predicted to be of physiological importance.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the C-terminal domain of Chlamydia trachomatis CdsD

The inner membrane ring of the bacterial type III secretion system (TTSS) is composed of two proteins. In Chlamydia trachomatis this ring is formed by CdsD (gene name CT_664) and CdsJ (gene name CTA_0609). CdsD consists of 829 amino acids. The last 400 amino acids at its C-terminal end relate it to the type III secretion system YscD/HrpQ protein family. The C-terminal domain, consisting of amino acids 558-771, of C. trachomatis CdsD was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified using immobilized metal-affinity chromatography (IMAC) and size-exclusion chromatography. The protein was crystallized using the vapour-diffusion method. A data set was collected to 2.26 Å resolution. The crystals have the symmetry of space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 106.60, b = 23.91, c = 118.65 Å, β = 104.95°. According to the data analysis there is expected to be one molecule in the asymmetric unit, with a Matthews coefficient of 3.0 Å(3) Da(-1).

A comprehensive analysis of the geranylgeranylglyceryl phosphate synthase enzyme family identifies novel members and reveals mechanisms of substrate specificity and quaternary structure organization

Geranylgeranylglyceryl phosphate synthase (GGGPS) family enzymes catalyse the formation of an ether bond between glycerol-1-phosphate and polyprenyl diphosphates. They are essential for the biosynthesis of archaeal membrane lipids, but also occur in bacterial species, albeit with unknown physiological function. It has been known that there exist two phylogenetic groups (I and II) of GGGPS family enzymes, but a comprehensive study has been missing. We therefore visualized the variability within the family by applying a sequence similarity network, and biochemically characterized 17 representative GGGPS family enzymes regarding their catalytic activities and substrate specificities. Moreover, we present the first crystal structures of group II archaeal and bacterial enzymes. Our analysis revealed that the previously uncharacterized bacterial enzymes from group II have GGGPS activity like the archaeal enzymes and differ from the bacterial group I enzymes that are heptaprenylglyceryl phosphate synthases. The length of the isoprenoid substrate is determined in group II GGGPS enzymes by 'limiter residues' that are different from those in group I enzymes, as shown by site-directed mutagenesis. Most of the group II enzymes form hexamers. We could disrupt these hexamers to stable and catalytically active dimers by mutating a single amino acid that acts as an 'aromatic anchor'.

The structural motifs for substrate binding and dimerization of the α subunit of collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase

Collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase (C-P4H) catalyzes the proline hydroxylation of procollagen, an essential modification in the maturation of collagens. C-P4H consists of two catalytic α subunits and two protein disulfide isomerase β subunits. The assembly of these subunits is unknown. The α subunit contains an N domain (1-143), a peptide-substrate-binding-domain (PSB, 144-244) and a catalytic domain (245-517). Here, we report the dimeric structure of the N-terminal region (1-244) of the α subunit. It is shown that the N domain has an important role in the assembly of the C-P4H tetramer, by forming an extended four-helix bundle that includes an antiparallel coiled-coil dimerization motif between the two α subunits. Complexes of this construct with a C-P4H inhibitor and substrate show the mode of peptide-binding to the PSB domain. Both peptides adopt a poly-(L)-proline-type-II helix conformation and bind in a curved, asymmetric groove lined by conserved tyrosines and an Arg-Asp salt bridge.

Structural mutations that probe the interactions between the catalytic and dianion activation sites of triosephosphate isomerase

Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) catalyzes the isomerization of dihydroxyacetone phosphate to form d-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. The effects of two structural mutations in TIM on the kinetic parameters for catalysis of the reaction of the truncated substrate glycolaldehyde (GA) and the activation of this reaction by phosphite dianion are reported. The P168A mutation results in similar 50- and 80-fold decreases in (kcat/Km)E and (kcat/Km)E·HPi, respectively, for deprotonation of GA catalyzed by free TIM and by the TIM·HPO(3)(2-) complex. The mutation has little effect on the observed and intrinsic phosphite dianion binding energy or the magnitude of phosphite dianion activation of TIM for catalysis of deprotonation of GA. A loop 7 replacement mutant (L7RM) of TIM from chicken muscle was prepared by substitution of the archaeal sequence 208-TGAG with 208-YGGS. L7RM exhibits a 25-fold decrease in (kcat/Km)E and a larger 170-fold decrease in (kcat/Km)E·HPi for reactions of GA. The mutation has little effect on the observed and intrinsic phosphodianion binding energy and only a modest effect on phosphite dianion activation of TIM. The observation that both the P168A and loop 7 replacement mutations affect mainly the kinetic parameters for TIM-catalyzed deprotonation but result in much smaller changes in the parameters for enzyme activation by phosphite dianion provides support for the conclusion that catalysis of proton transfer and dianion activation of TIM take place at separate, weakly interacting, sites in the protein catalyst.

Structure of mycobacterial β-oxidation trifunctional enzyme reveals its altered assembly and putative substrate channeling pathway

The incidence of tuberculosis is increasing due to the appearance of new drug-resistant variants. A thorough understanding of the disease organism is essential in order to create more effective drugs. In an attempt to understand better the poorly studied lipid metabolism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), we identified and characterized its fatty acid β-oxidation complex (trifunctional enzyme (TFE)). TFE is an α(2)β(2) complex consisting of two types of polypeptides catalyzing three of the four reactions of the β-oxidation of fatty acids. The kinetic constants (k(cat) and K(m)) show that the complexed α chain is more active than the individual α chain. Crystal structures of Mtb TFE (mtTFE) reveal that the quaternary assembly is strikingly different from the already known Pseudomonas fragi TFE (pfTFE) assembly due to the presence of a helical insertion (LA5) in the mtTFE-β subunit. This helical insertion prevents the pfTFE mode of assembly, as it would clash with helix H9A of the TFE-α chain. The mtTFE assembly appears to be more rigid and results in a different substrate channeling path between the α and the β subunits. Structural comparisons suggest that the mtTFE active sites can accommodate bulkier fatty acyl chains than in pfTFE. Although another thiolase (FadA2), more closely related to human TFE-β/thiolase, is present in the Mtb genome, it does not form a complex with mtTFE-α. Extensive phylogenetic analyses show that there are at least four TFE subfamilies. Our studies highlight the molecular properties of mtTFE, significantly extending the structural knowledge on this type of very interesting multifunctional enzymes.

The isomerase and hydratase reaction mechanism of the crotonase active site of the multifunctional enzyme (type-1), as deduced from structures of complexes with 3S-hydroxy-acyl-CoA

The multifunctional enzyme, type-1 (MFE1) is involved in several lipid metabolizing pathways. It catalyses: (a) enoyl-CoA isomerase and (b) enoyl-CoA hydratase (EC 4.2.1.17) reactions in its N-terminal crotonase part, as well as (3) a 3S-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD; EC 1.1.1.35) reaction in its C-terminal 3S-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase part. Crystallographic binding studies with rat peroxisomal MFE1, using unbranched and branched 2E-enoyl-CoA substrate molecules, show that the substrate has been hydrated by the enzyme in the crystal and that the product, 3S-hydroxy-acyl-CoA, remains bound in the crotonase active site. The fatty acid tail points into an exit tunnel shaped by loop-2. The thioester oxygen is bound in the classical oxyanion hole of the crotonase fold, stabilizing the enolate reaction intermediate. The structural data of these enzyme product complexes suggest that the catalytic base, Glu123, initiates the isomerase reaction by abstracting the C2-proton from the substrate molecule. Subsequently, in the hydratase reaction, Glu123 completes the catalytic cycle by reprotonating the C2 atom. A catalytic water, bound between the OE1-atoms of the two catalytic glutamates, Glu103 and Glu123, plays an important role in the enoyl-CoA isomerase and the enoyl-CoA hydratase reaction mechanism of MFE1. The structural variability of loop-2 between MFE1 and its monofunctional homologues correlates with differences in the respective substrate preferences and catalytic rates.

Three Japanese Patients with Beta-Ketothiolase Deficiency Who Share a Mutation, c.431A>C (H144P) in ACAT1 : Subtle Abnormality in Urinary Organic Acid Analysis and Blood Acylcarnitine Analysis Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Mitochondrial acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (T2) deficiency affects both isoleucine catabolism and ketone body metabolism. The disorder is characterized by intermittent ketoacidotic episodes. We report three Japanese patients. One patient (GK69) experienced two ketoacidotic episodes at the age of 9 months and 3 years, and no further episodes until the age of 25 years. She had two uncomplicated pregnancies. GK69 was a compound heterozygote of the c.431A>C (H144P) and c.1168T>C (S390P) mutations in T2 (ACAT1) gene. She was not suspected of having T2 deficiency during her childhood, but she was diagnosed as T2 deficient at the age of 25 years by enzyme assay using fibroblasts. The other two patients were identical twin siblings who presented their first ketoacidotic crisis simultaneously at the age of 3 years 4 months. One of them (GK77b) died during the first crisis and the other (GK77) survived. Even during severe crises, C5-OH and C5:1 were within normal ranges in their blood acylcarnitine profiles and trace amounts of tiglylglycine and small amounts of 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyrate were detected in their urinary organic acid profiles. They were H144P homozygotes. This H144P mutation has retained the highest residual T2 activity in the transient expression analysis of mutant cDNA thus far, while the S390P mutation did not retain any residual T2 activity. The "mild" H144P mutation may result in subtle profiles in blood acylcarnitine and urinary organic acid analyses. T2-deficient patients with "mild" mutations have severe ketoacidotic crises but their chemical phenotypes may be subtle even during acute crises.

High resolution crystal structures of triosephosphate isomerase complexed with its suicide inhibitors: the conformational flexibility of the catalytic glutamate in its closed, liganded active site

The key residue of the active site of triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) is the catalytic glutamate, which is proposed to be important (i) as a catalytic base, for initiating the reaction, as well as (ii) for the subsequent proton shuttling steps. The structural properties of this glutamate in the liganded complex have been investigated by studying the high resolution crystal structures of typanosomal TIM, complexed with three suicide inhibitors: (S)-glycidol phosphate ((S)-GOP, at 0.99 Å resolution), (R)-glycidol phosphate, ((R)-GOP, at 1.08 Å resolution), and bromohydroxyacetone phosphate (BHAP, at 1.97 Å resolution). The structures show that in the (S)-GOP active site this catalytic glutamate is in the well characterized, competent conformation. However, an unusual side chain conformation is observed in the (R)-GOP and BHAP complexes. In addition, Glu97, salt bridged to the catalytic lysine in the competent active site, adopts an unusual side chain conformation in these two latter complexes. The higher chemical reactivity of (S)-GOP compared with (R)-GOP, as known from solution studies, can be understood: the structures indicate that in the case of (S)-GOP, Glu167 can attack the terminal carbon of the epoxide in a stereoelectronically favored, nearly linear OCO arrangement, but this is not possible for the (R)-GOP isomer. These structures confirm the previously proposed conformational flexibility of the catalytic glutamate in its closed, liganded state. The importance of this conformational flexibility for the proton shuttling steps in the TIM catalytic cycle, which is apparently achieved by a sliding motion of the side chain carboxylate group above the enediolate plane, is also discussed.

Crystal structure of liganded rat peroxisomal multifunctional enzyme type 1: a flexible molecule with two interconnected active sites

The crystal structure of the full-length rat peroxisomal multifunctional enzyme, type 1 (rpMFE1), has been determined at 2.8 A resolution. This enzyme has three catalytic activities and two active sites. The N-terminal part has the crotonase fold, which builds the active site for the Delta(3),Delta(2)-enoyl-CoA isomerase and the Delta(2)-enoyl-CoA hydratase-1 catalytic activities, and the C-terminal part has the (3S)-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase fold and makes the (3S)-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase active site. rpMFE1 is a multidomain protein having five domains (A-E). The crystal structure of full-length rpMFE1 shows a flexible arrangement of the A-domain with respect to the B-E-domains. Because of a hinge region near the end of the A-domain, two different positions of the A-domain were observed for the two protein molecules (A and B) of the asymmetric unit. In the most closed conformation, the mode of binding of CoA is stabilized by domains A and B (helix-10), as seen in other crotonase fold members. Domain B, although functionally belonging to the N-terminal part, is found tightly associated with the C-terminal part, i.e. fixed to the E-domain. The two active sites of rpMFE1 are approximately 40 A apart, separated by a tunnel, characterized by an excess of positively charged side chains. Comparison of the structures of rpMFE1 with the monofunctional crotonase and (3S)-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase superfamily enzymes, as well as with the bacterial alpha(2)beta(2)-fatty acid oxidation multienzyme complex, reveals that this tunnel could be important for substrate channeling, as observed earlier on the basis of the kinetics of rpMFE1 purified from rat liver.

Atomic resolution crystallography of a complex of triosephosphate isomerase with a reaction-intermediate analog: new insight in the proton transfer reaction mechanism

Enzymes achieve their catalytic proficiency by precisely positioning the substrate and catalytic residues with respect to each other. Atomic resolution crystallography is an excellent tool to study the important details of these geometric active-site features. Here, we have investigated the reaction mechanism of triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) using atomic resolution crystallographic studies at 0.82-A resolution of leishmanial TIM complexed with the well-studied reaction-intermediate analog phosphoglycolohydroxamate (PGH). Remaining unresolved aspects of the reaction mechanism of TIM such as the protonation state of the first reaction intermediate and the properties of the hydrogen-bonding interactions in the active site are being addressed. The hydroxamate moiety of PGH interacts via unusually short hydrogen bonds of its N1-O1 moiety with the carboxylate group of the catalytic glutamate (Glu167), for example, the distance of N1(PGH)-OE2(Glu167) is 2.69 +/- 0.01 A and the distance of O1(PGH)-OE1(Glu167) is 2.60 +/- 0.01 A. Structural comparisons show that the side chain of the catalytic base (Glu167) can move during the reaction cycle in a small cavity, located above the hydroxamate plane. The structure analysis suggests that the hydroxamate moiety of PGH is negatively charged. Therefore, the bound PGH mimics the negatively charged enediolate intermediate, which is formed immediately after the initial proton abstraction from DHAP by the catalytic glutamate. The new findings are discussed in the context of the current knowledge of the TIM reaction mechanism.

Crystallographic binding studies with an engineered monomeric variant of triosephosphate isomerase

Crystallographic binding studies have been carried out to probe the active-site binding properties of a monomeric variant (A-TIM) of triosephosphate isomerase (TIM). These binding studies are part of a structure-based directed-evolution project aimed towards changing the substrate specificity of monomeric TIM and are therefore aimed at finding binders which are substrate-like molecules. A-TIM has a modified more extended binding pocket between loop-7 and loop-8 compared with wild-type TIM. The A-TIM crystals were grown in the presence of citrate, which is bound in the active site of each of the two molecules in the asymmetric unit. In this complex, the active-site loops loop-6 and loop-7 adopt the closed conformation, similar to that observed in liganded wild-type TIM. Extensive crystal-soaking protocols have been developed to flush the bound citrate out of the active-site pocket of both molecules and the crystal structure shows that the unliganded open conformation of the A-TIM active site is the same as in unliganded wild-type TIM. It is also shown that sulfonate compounds corresponding to the transition-state analogue 2-phosphoglycolate bind in the active site, which has a closed conformation. It is also shown that the new binding pocket of A-TIM can bind 3-phosphoglycerate (3PGA; an analogue of a C4-sugar phosphate) and 4-phospho-D-erythronohydroxamic acid (4PEH; an analogue of a C5-sugar phosphate). Therefore, these studies have provided a rationale for starting directed-evolution experiments aimed at generating the catalytic properties of a C5-sugar phosphate isomerase on the A-TIM framework.

The thiolase reaction mechanism: the importance of Asn316 and His348 for stabilizing the enolate intermediate of the Claisen condensation

The biosynthetic thiolase catalyzes a Claisen condensation reaction between acetyl-CoA and the enzyme acetylated at Cys89. Two oxyanion holes facilitate this catalysis: oxyanion hole I stabilizes the enolate intermediate generated from acetyl-CoA, whereas oxyanion hole II stabilizes the tetrahedral intermediate of the acetylated enzyme. The latter intermediate is formed when the alpha-carbanion of acetyl-CoA enolate reacts with the carbonyl carbon of acetyl-Cys89, after which C-C bond formation is completed. Oxyanion hole II is made of two main chain peptide NH groups, whereas oxyanion hole I is formed by a water molecule (Wat82) and NE2(His348). Wat82 is anchored in the active site by an optimal set of hydrogen bonding interactions, including a hydrogen bond to ND2(Asn316). Here, the importance of Asn316 and His348 for catalysis has been studied; in particular, the properties of the N316D, N316A, N316H, H348A, and H348N variants have been determined. For the N316D variant, no activity could be detected. For each of the remaining variants, the k(cat)/K(m) value for the Claisen condensation catalysis is reduced by a factor of several hundred, whereas the thiolytic degradation catalysis is much less affected. The crystal structures of the variants show that the structural changes in the active site are minimal. Our studies confirm that oxyanion hole I is critically important for the condensation catalysis. Removing either one of the hydrogen bond donors causes the loss of at least 3.4 kcal/mol of transition state stabilization. It appears that in the thiolytic degradation direction, oxyanion hole I is not involved in stabilizing the transition state of its rate limiting step. However, His348 has a dual role in the catalytic cycle, contributing to oxyanion hole I and activating Cys89. The analysis of the hydrogen bonding interactions in the very polar catalytic cavity shows the importance of two conserved water molecules, Wat82 and Wat49, for the formation of oxyanion hole I and for influencing the reactivity of the catalytic base, Cys378, respectively. Cys89, Asn316, and His348 form the CNH-catalytic triad of the thiolase superfamily. Our findings are also discussed in the context of the importance of this triad for the catalytic mechanism of other enzymes of the thiolase superfamily.

Inclusion of ionization states of ligands in affinity calculations

When estimating binding affinities of a ligand, which can exists in multiple forms, for a target molecule, one must consider all possible competing equilibria. Here, a method is presented that estimates the contribution of the protonation equilibria of a ligand in solution to the measured or calculated binding affinity. The method yields a correction to binding constants that are based on the total concentration of inhibitor (the sum of all ionized forms of the inhibitor in solution) to account for the complexed form of the inhibitor only. The method is applied to the calculation of the difference in binding affinity of two inhibitors, 2-phosphoglycolate (PGA) and its phoshonate analog 3-phosphonopropionate (3PP), for the glycolytic enzyme triosephosphate isomerase. Both inhibitors have three titrating sites and exist in solution as a mixture of different forms. In this case the form that actually binds to the enzyme is present at relative low concentrations. The contributions of the alternative forms to the difference in binding energies is estimated by means of molecular dynamics simulations and corrections. The inhibitors undergo a pK(a) shift upon binding that is estimated by ab initio calculations. An interesting finding is that the affinity difference of the two inhibitors is not due to different interactions in the active site of the enzyme, but rather due to the difference in the solvation properties of the inhibitors.

17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 8 and carbonyl reductase type 4 assemble as a ketoacyl reductase of human mitochondrial FAS

Mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (FAS) generates the octanoyl-group that is required for the synthesis of lipoic acid and is linked to mitochondrial RNA metabolism. All of the human enzymes involved in mitochondrial FAS have been characterized except for beta-ketoacyl thioester reductase (HsKAR), which catalyzes the second step in the pathway. We report here the unexpected finding that a heterotetramer composed of human 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 8 (Hs17beta-HSD8) and human carbonyl reductase type 4 (HsCBR4) forms the long-sought HsKAR. Both proteins share sequence similarities to the yeast 3-oxoacyl-(acyl carrier protein) reductase (Oar1p) and the bacterial FabG, although HsKAR is NADH dependent, whereas FabG and Oar1p are NADPH dependent. Hs17beta-HSD8 and HsCBR4 show a strong genetic interaction in vivo in yeast, where, only if they are expressed together, they rescue the respiratory deficiency and restore the lipoic acid content of oar1Delta cells. Moreover, these two proteins display a stable physical interaction and form an active heterotetramer. Both Hs17beta-HSD8 and HsCBR4 are targeted to mitochondria in vivo in cultured HeLa cells. Notably, 17beta-HSD8 was previously classified as a steroid-metabolizing enzyme, but our data suggest that 17beta-HSD8 is primarily involved in mitochondrial FAS.

The crystal structure of an algal prolyl 4-hydroxylase complexed with a proline-rich peptide reveals a novel buried tripeptide binding motif

Plant and algal prolyl 4-hydroxylases (P4Hs) are key enzymes in the synthesis of cell wall components. These monomeric enzymes belong to the 2-oxoglutarate dependent superfamily of enzymes characterized by a conserved jelly-roll framework. This algal P4H has high sequence similarity to the catalytic domain of the vertebrate, tetrameric collagen P4Hs, whereas there are distinct sequence differences with the oxygen-sensing hypoxia-inducible factor P4H subfamily of enzymes. We present here a 1.98-A crystal structure of the algal Chlamydomonas reinhardtii P4H-1 complexed with Zn(2+) and a proline-rich (Ser-Pro)(5) substrate. This ternary complex captures the competent mode of binding of the peptide substrate, being bound in a left-handed (poly)l-proline type II conformation in a tunnel shaped by two loops. These two loops are mostly disordered in the absence of the substrate. The importance of these loops for the function is confirmed by extensive mutagenesis, followed up by enzyme kinetic characterizations. These loops cover the central Ser-Pro-Ser tripeptide of the substrate such that the hydroxylation occurs in a highly buried space. This novel mode of binding does not depend on stacking interactions of the proline side chains with aromatic residues. Major conformational changes of the two peptide binding loops are predicted to be a key feature of the catalytic cycle. These conformational changes are probably triggered by the conformational switch of Tyr(140), as induced by the hydroxylation of the proline residue. The importance of these findings for understanding the specific binding and hydroxylation of (X-Pro-Gly)(n) sequences by collagen P4Hs is also discussed.

The sulfur atoms of the substrate CoA and the catalytic cysteine are required for a productive mode of substrate binding in bacterial biosynthetic thiolase, a thioester-dependent enzyme

Thioesters are more reactive than oxoesters, and thioester chemistry is important for the reaction mechanisms of many enzymes, including the members of the thiolase superfamily, which play roles in both degradative and biosynthetic pathways. In the reaction mechanism of the biosynthetic thiolase, the thioester moieties of acetyl-CoA and the acetylated catalytic cysteine react with each other, forming the product acetoacetyl-CoA. Although a number of studies have been carried out to elucidate the thiolase reaction mechanism at the atomic level, relatively little is known about the factors determining the affinity of thiolases towards their substrates. We have carried out crystallographic studies on the biosynthetic thiolase from Zoogloea ramigera complexed with CoA and three of its synthetic analogues to compare the binding modes of these related compounds. The results show that both the CoA terminal SH group and the side chain SH group of the catalytic Cys89 are crucial for the correct positioning of substrate in the thiolase catalytic pocket. Furthermore, calorimetric assays indicate that the mutation of Cys89 into an alanine significantly decreases the affinity of thiolase towards CoA. Thus, although the sulfur atom of the thioester moiety is important for the reaction mechanism of thioester-dependent enzymes, its specific properties can also affect the affinity and competent mode of binding of the thioester substrates to these enzymes.

Structural enzymological studies of 2-enoyl thioester reductase of the human mitochondrial FAS II pathway: new insights into its substrate recognition properties

Structural and kinetic properties of the human 2-enoyl thioester reductase [mitochondrial enoyl-coenzyme A reductase (MECR)/ETR1] of the mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (FAS) II pathway have been determined. The crystal structure of this dimeric enzyme (at 2.4 A resolution) suggests that the binding site for the recognition helix of the acyl carrier protein is in a groove between the two adjacent monomers. This groove is connected via the pantetheine binding cleft to the active site. The modeled mode of NADPH binding, using molecular dynamics calculations, suggests that Tyr94 and Trp311 are critical for catalysis, which is supported by enzyme kinetic data. A deep, water-filled pocket, shaped by hydrophobic and polar residues and extending away from the catalytic site, was recognized. This pocket can accommodate a fatty acyl tail of up to 16 carbons. Mutagenesis of the residues near the end of this pocket confirms the importance of this region for the binding of substrate molecules with long fatty acyl tails. Furthermore, the kinetic analysis of the wild-type MECR/ETR1 shows a bimodal distribution of catalytic efficiencies, in agreement with the notion that two major products are generated by the mitochondrial FAS II pathway.