Regioselectivity mechanism of the Thunbergia alata Δ6-16:0-acyl carrier protein desaturase.

Plant plastidial acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) desaturases are a soluble class of diiron-containing enzymes that are distinct from the diiron-containing integral membrane desaturases found in plants and other organisms. The archetype of this class is the stearoyl-ACP desaturase which converts stearoyl-ACP into oleoyl (18:1Δ9cis)-ACP. Several variants expressing distinct regioselectivity have been described including a Δ6-16:0-ACP desaturase from black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata). We solved a crystal structure of the T. alata desaturase at 2.05 Å resolution. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we identified a low-energy complex between 16:0-ACP and the desaturase that would position C6 and C7 of the acyl chain adjacent to the diiron active site. The model complex was used to identify mutant variants that could convert the T. alata Δ6 desaturase to Δ9 regioselectivity. Additional modeling between ACP and the mutant variants confirmed the predicted regioselectivity. To validate the in-silico predictions, we synthesized two variants of the T. alata desaturase and analyzed their reaction products using gas chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry. Assay results confirmed that mutants designed to convert T. alata Δ6 to Δ9 selectivity exhibited the predicted changes. In complementary experiments, variants of the castor desaturase designed to convert Δ9 to Δ6 selectivity lost some of their Δ9 desaturation ability and gained the ability to desaturate at the Δ6 position. The computational workflow for revealing the mechanistic understanding of regioselectivity presented herein lays a foundation for designing acyl-ACP desaturases with novel selectivities to increase the diversity of monoenes available for bioproduct applications.

The structure of the N-terminal module of the cell wall hydrolase RipA and its role in regulating catalytic activity.

RipA plays a vital role during cell division of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by degrading the cell wall peptidoglycan at the septum, allowing daughter cell separation. The peptidoglycan degrading activity relies on the NlpC/P60 domain, and as it is potentially harmful when deregulated, spatial and temporal control is necessary in this process. The N-terminal domain of RipA has been proposed to play an inhibitory role blocking the C-terminal NlpC/P60 domain. Accessibility of the active site cysteine residue is however not limited by the presence of the N-terminal domain, but by the lid-module of the inter-domain linker, which is situated in the peptide binding groove of the crystal structures of the catalytic domain. The 2.2 Å resolution structure of the N-terminal domain, determined by Se-SAD phasing, reveals an all-α-fold with 2 long α-helices, and shows similarity to bacterial periplasmic protein domains with scaffold-building role. Size exclusion chromatography and SAXS experiments are consistent with dimer formation of this domain in solution. The SAXS data from the periplasmic two-domain RipA construct suggest a rigid baton-like structure of the N-terminal module, with the catalytic domain connected by a 24 residue long flexible linker. This flexible linker allows for a catalytic zone, which is part of the spatiotemporal control of peptidoglycan degradation.

Remote control of regioselectivity in acyl-acyl carrier protein-desaturases.

Regiospecific desaturation of long-chain saturated fatty acids has been described as approaching the limits of the discriminatory power of enzymes because the substrate entirely lacks distinguishing features close to the site of dehydrogenation. To identify the elusive mechanism underlying regioselectivity, we have determined two crystal structures of the archetypal Δ9 desaturase from castor in complex with acyl carrier protein (ACP), which show the bound ACP ideally situated to position C9 and C10 of the acyl chain adjacent to the diiron active site for Δ9 desaturation. Analysis of the structures and modeling of the complex between the highly homologous ivy Δ4 desaturase and ACP, identified a residue located at the entrance to the binding cavity, Asp280 in the castor desaturase (Lys275 in the ivy desaturase), which is strictly conserved within Δ9 and Δ4 enzymes but differs between them. We hypothesized that interaction between Lys275 and the phosphate of the pantetheine, seen in the ivy model, is key to positioning C4 and C5 adjacent to the diiron center for Δ4 desaturation. Mutating castor Asp280 to Lys resulted in a major shift from Δ9 to Δ4 desaturation. Thus, interaction between desaturase side-chain 280 and phospho-serine 38 of ACP, approximately 27 Å from the site of double-bond formation, predisposes ACP binding that favors either Δ9 or Δ4 desaturation via repulsion (acidic side chain) or attraction (positively charged side chain), respectively. Understanding the mechanism underlying remote control of regioselectivity provides the foundation for reengineering desaturase enzymes to create designer chemical feedstocks that would provide alternatives to those currently obtained from petrochemicals.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of the lumenal domain of the ER-vesicle protein Erv41p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The membrane protein Erv41p is a major component of COPII-coated vesicles and is thought to play a role in the early secretory pathway in eukaryotic cells. In this study, the full lumenal domain of Erv41p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScErv41p_LD) was recombinantly expressed in Sf9 insect cells and purified by nickel-affinity, ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. ScErv41p_LD crystals were obtained using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method and native X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.0 Šresolution. The crystals belonged to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 49.8, b = 76.9, c = 65.1 Å, α = γ = 90.0, ß = 104.8°.

The structure of an alcohol dehydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Aeropyrum pernix.

The structure of the recombinant medium chain alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Aeropyrum pernix has been solved by the multiple anomalous dispersion technique using the signal from the naturally occurring zinc ions. The enzyme is a tetramer with 222 point group symmetry. The ADH monomer is formed from a catalytic and a cofactor-binding domain, with the overall fold similar to previously solved ADH structures. The 1.62 A resolution A.pernix ADH structure is that of the holo form, with the cofactor NADH bound into the cleft between the two domains. The electron density found in the active site has been interpreted to be octanoic acid, which has been shown to be an inhibitor of the enzyme. This inhibitor is positioned with its carbonyl oxygen atom forming the fourth ligand of the catalytic zinc ion. The structural zinc ion of each monomer is present at only partial occupancy and in its absence a disulfide bond is formed. The enhanced thermal stability of the A.pernix ADH is thought to arise primarily from increased ionic and hydrophobic interactions on the subunit interfaces.

Structure of the Glycosyltransferase Ktr4p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, members of the Kre2/Mnt1 protein family have been shown to be α-1,2-mannosyltransferases or α-1,2-mannosylphosphate transferases, utilising an Mn2+-coordinated GDP-mannose as the sugar donor and a variety of mannose derivatives as acceptors. Enzymes in this family are localised to the Golgi apparatus, and have been shown to be involved in both N- and O-linked glycosylation of newly-synthesised proteins, including cell wall glycoproteins. Our knowledge of the nine proteins in this family is however very incomplete at present. Only one family member, Kre2p/Mnt1p, has been studied by structural methods, and three (Ktr4p, Ktr5p, Ktr7p) are completely uncharacterised and remain classified only as putative glycosyltransferases. Here we use in vitro enzyme activity assays to provide experimental confirmation of the predicted glycosyltransferase activity of Ktr4p. Using GDP-mannose as the donor, we observe activity towards the acceptor methyl-α-mannoside, but little or no activity towards mannose or α-1,2-mannobiose. We also present the structure of the lumenal catalytic domain of S. cerevisiae Ktr4p, determined by X-ray crystallography to a resolution of 2.2 Å, and the complex of the enzyme with GDP to 1.9 Å resolution.

The crystal structure of the lumenal domain of Erv41p, a protein involved in transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus.

Erv41p is a conserved integral membrane protein that is known to play a role in transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, part of the early secretory pathway of eukaryotes. However, the exact function of the protein is not known, and it shares very low sequence identity with proteins of known structure or function. Here we present the structure of the full lumenal domain of Erv41p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, determined by X-ray crystallography to a resolution of 2.0Å. The structure reveals the protein to be composed predominantly of two large ß-sheets that form a twisted ß-sandwich. Comparison to structures in the Protein Data Bank shows that the Erv41p lumenal domain displays only limited similarity to ß-sandwich domains of other proteins. Analysis of the surface properties of the protein identifies an extensive patch of negative electrostatic potential on the exposed surface of one of the ß-sheets, which likely forms a binding site for a ligand or interaction partner. A predominantly hydrophobic region close to the membrane interface is identified as a likely site for protein-protein interaction. This structure, the first of Erv41p or any of its homologues, provides a new starting point for studies of the roles of Erv41p and its interaction partners in the eukaryotic secretory pathway.

The crystal structure of the human co-chaperone P58(IPK).

P58(IPK) is one of the endoplasmic reticulum- (ER-) localised DnaJ (ERdj) proteins which interact with the chaperone BiP, the mammalian ER ortholog of Hsp70, and are thought to contribute to the specificity and regulation of its diverse functions. P58(IPK), expression of which is upregulated in response to ER stress, has been suggested to act as a co-chaperone, binding un- or misfolded proteins and delivering them to BiP. In order to give further insights into the functions of P58(IPK), and the regulation of BiP by ERdj proteins, we have determined the crystal structure of human P58(IPK) to 3.0 Å resolution using a combination of molecular replacement and single wavelength anomalous diffraction. The structure shows the human P58(IPK) monomer to have a very elongated overall shape. In addition to the conserved J domain, P58(IPK) contains nine N-terminal tetratricopeptide repeat motifs, divided into three subdomains of three motifs each. The J domain is attached to the C-terminal end via a flexible linker, and the structure shows the conserved Hsp70-binding histidine-proline-aspartate (HPD) motif to be situated on the very edge of the elongated protein, 100 Å from the putative binding site for unfolded protein substrates. The residues that comprise the surface surrounding the HPD motif are highly conserved in P58(IPK) from other organisms but more varied between the human ERdj proteins, supporting the view that their regulation of different BiP functions is facilitated by differences in BiP-binding.

Crystal structure of the LMAN1-CRD/MCFD2 transport receptor complex provides insight into combined deficiency of factor V and factor VIII.

LMAN1 is a glycoprotein receptor, mediating transfer from the ER to the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment. Together with the co-receptor MCFD2, it transports coagulation factors V and VIII. Mutations in LMAN1 and MCFD2 can cause combined deficiency of factors V and VIII (F5F8D). We present the crystal structure of the LMAN1/MCFD2 complex and relate it to patient mutations. Circular dichroism data show that the majority of the substitution mutations give rise to a disordered or severely destabilized MCFD2 protein. The few stable mutation variants are found in the binding surface of the complex leading to impaired LMAN1 binding and F5F8D.

Crystal structure of a class XIB phospholipase A2 (PLA2): rice (oryza sativa) isoform-2 pla2 and an octanoate complex.

Phospholipase A(2) catalyzes the specific hydrolysis of the sn-2 acyl bond of various glycerophospholipids, producing fatty acids and lysophospholipids. Phospholipase A(2)s (PLA(2)s) constitute a large superfamily of enzymes whose products are important for a multitude of signal transduction processes, lipid mediator release, lipid metabolism, development, plant stress responses, and host defense. The crystal structure of rice (Oryza sativa) isoform 2 phospholipase A(2) has been determined to 2.0 A resolution using sulfur SAD phasing, and shows that the class XIb phospholipases have a unique structure compared with other secreted PLA(2)s. The N-terminal half of the chain contains mainly loop structure, including the conserved Ca(2+)-binding loop, but starts with a short 3(10)-helix and also includes two short anti-parallel beta-strands. The C-terminal half is folded into three anti-parallel alpha-helices, of which the two first are also present in other secreted PLA(2)s and contain the conserved catalytic histidine and calcium liganding aspartate residues. The structure is stabilized by six disulfide bonds. The water structure around the calcium ion binding site suggests the involvement of a second water molecule in the mechanism for hydrolysis, the water-assisted calcium-coordinate oxyanion mechanism. The octanoate molecule in the complex structure is bound in a hydrophobic pocket, which extends to the likely membrane interface and is proposed to model the binding of the product fatty acid. Due to the differences in structure, the suggested surface for binding to the membrane has a different morphology in the rice PLA(2) compared with other phospholipases.

Desaturases: emerging models for understanding functional diversification of diiron-containing enzymes.

Desaturases and related enzymes perform O(2)-dependent dehydrogenations initiated at unactivated C-H groups with the use of a diiron active site. Determination of the long-sought oxidized desaturase crystal structure facilitated structural comparison of the active sites of disparate diiron enzymes. Experiments on the castor desaturase are discussed that provide experimental support for a hypothesized ancestral oxidase enzyme in the context of the evolution of the diiron enzyme diverse functionality. We also summarize recent analysis of a castor mutant desaturase that provides valuable insights into the relationship of proposed substrate-binding modes with respect to a range of catalytic outcomes.

New insights into multiple coagulation factor deficiency from the solution structure of human MCFD2.

Human MCFD2 (multiple coagulation factor deficiency 2) is a 16-kDa protein known to participate in transport of the glycosylated human coagulation factors V and VIII along the secretory pathway. Mutations in MCFD2 or in its binding partner, the membrane-bound transporter ERGIC (endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment)-53, cause a mild form of inherited hemophilia known as combined deficiency of factors V and VIII (F5F8D). While ERGIC-53 is known to be a lectin-type mannose binding protein, the role of MCFD2 in the secretory pathway is comparatively unclear. MCFD2 has been shown to bind both ERGIC-53 and the blood coagulation factors, but little is known about the binding sites or the true function of the protein. In order to facilitate understanding of the function of MCFD2 and the mechanism by which mutations in the protein cause F5F8D, we have determined the structure of human MCFD2 in solution by NMR. Our results show the folding of MCFD2 to be dependent on availability of calcium ions. The protein, which is disordered in the apo state, folds upon binding of Ca(2+) to the two EF-hand motifs of its C-terminus, while retaining some localized disorder in the N-terminus. NMR studies on two disease-causing mutant variants of MCFD2 show both to be predominantly disordered, even in the presence of calcium ions. These results provide an explanation for the previously observed calcium dependence of the MCFD2-ERGIC-53 interaction and, furthermore, clarify the means by which mutations in this protein result in inefficient secretion of blood coagulation factors V and VIII.

The crystal structure of the ivy Delta4-16:0-ACP desaturase reveals structural details of the oxidized active site and potential determinants of regioselectivity.

The multifunctional acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) desaturase from Hedera helix (English ivy) catalyzes the Delta(4) desaturation of 16:0-ACP and the Delta(9) desaturation of 18:0-ACP and further desaturates Delta(9)-16:1 or Delta(9)-18:1 to the corresponding Delta(4,9) dienes. The crystal structure of the enzyme has been solved to 1.95 A resolution, and both the iron-iron distance of approximately 3.2A and the presence of a mu-oxo bridge reveal this to be the only reported structure of a desaturase in the oxidized FeIII-FeIII form. Significant differences are seen between the oxidized active site and the reduced active site of the Ricinus communis (castor) desaturase; His(227) coordination to Fe2 is lost, and the side chain of Glu(224), which bridges the two iron ions in the reduced structure, does not interact with either iron. Although carboxylate shifts have been observed on oxidation of other diiron proteins, this is the first example of the residue moving beyond the coordination range of both iron ions. Comparison of the ivy and castor structures reveal surface amino acids close to the annulus of the substrate-binding cavity and others lining the lower portion of the cavity that are potential determinants of their distinct substrate specificities. We propose a hypothesis that differences in side chain packing explains the apparent paradox that several residues lining the lower portion of the cavity in the ivy desaturase are bulkier than their equivalents in the castor enzyme despite the necessity for the ivy enzyme to accommodate three more carbons beyond the diiron site.

A single mutation in the castor Delta9-18:0-desaturase changes reaction partitioning from desaturation to oxidase chemistry.

Sequence analysis of the diiron cluster-containing soluble desaturases suggests they are unrelated to other diiron enzymes; however, structural alignment of the core four-helix bundle of desaturases to other diiron enzymes reveals a conserved iron binding motif with similar spacing in all enzymes of this structural class, implying a common evolutionary ancestry. Detailed structural comparison of the castor desaturase with that of a peroxidase, rubrerythrin, shows remarkable conservation of both identity and geometry of residues surrounding the diiron center, with the exception of residue 199. Position 199 is occupied by a threonine in the castor desaturase, but the equivalent position in rubrerythrin contains a glutamic acid. We previously hypothesized that a carboxylate in this location facilitates oxidase chemistry in rubrerythrin by the close apposition of a residue capable of facilitating proton transfer to the activated oxygen (in a hydrophobic cavity adjacent to the diiron center based on the crystal structure of the oxygen-binding mimic azide). Here we report that desaturase mutant T199D binds substrate but its desaturase activity decreases by approximately 2 x 10(3)-fold. However, it shows a >31-fold increase in peroxide-dependent oxidase activity with respect to WT desaturase, as monitored by single-turnover stopped-flow spectrometry. A 2.65-A crystal structure of T199D reveals active-site geometry remarkably similar to that of rubrerythrin, consistent with its enhanced function as an oxidase enzyme. That a single amino acid substitution can switch reactivity from desaturation to oxidation provides experimental support for the hypothesis that the desaturase evolved from an ancestral oxidase enzyme.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of a novel alcohol dehydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Aeropyrum pernix.

A novel alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme has been cloned from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Aeropyrum pernix and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. This zinc-containing enzyme has been crystallized by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method using PEG 600 as precipitant. The crystals diffract to 1.5 A resolution and belong to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a = 100.7, b = 103.2, c = 67.5 A. The asymmetric unit contains two enzyme monomers. Two synchrotron data sets have been collected: one at a wavelength near the absorption edge of zinc and one at a remote wavelength. Three strong zinc-ion positions were visible in the anomalous Patterson map. Two additional weaker zinc ions have been identified by anomalous Fourier synthesis.