An Unusual Ferryl Intermediate and Its Implications for the Mechanism of Oxacyclization by the Loline-Producing Iron(II)- and 2-Oxoglutarate-Dependent Oxygenase, LolO.

N-Acetylnorloline synthase (LolO) is one of several iron(II)- and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent (Fe/2OG) oxygenases that catalyze sequential reactions of different types in the biosynthesis of valuable natural products. LolO hydroxylates C2 of 1-exo-acetamidopyrrolizidine before coupling the C2-bonded oxygen to C7 to form the tricyclic loline core. Each reaction requires cleavage of a C-H bond by an oxoiron(IV) (ferryl) intermediate; however, different carbons are targeted, and the carbon radicals have different fates. Prior studies indicated that the substrate-cofactor disposition (SCD) controls the site of H· abstraction and can affect the reaction outcome. These indications led us to determine whether a change in SCD from the first to the second LolO reaction might contribute to the observed reactivity switch. Whereas the single ferryl complex in the C2 hydroxylation reaction was previously shown to have typical Mössbauer parameters, one of two ferryl complexes to accumulate during the oxacyclization reaction has the highest isomer shift seen to date for such a complex and abstracts H· from C7 ∼ 20 times faster than does the first ferryl complex in its previously reported off-pathway hydroxylation of C7. The detectable hydroxylation of C7 in competition with cyclization by the second ferryl complex is not enhanced in 2H2O solvent, suggesting that the C2 hydroxyl is deprotonated prior to C7-H cleavage. These observations are consistent with the coordination of the C2 oxygen to the ferryl complex, which may reorient its oxo ligand, the substrate, or both to positions more favorable for C7-H cleavage and oxacyclization.

Synergistic Binding of the Halide and Cationic Prime Substrate of l-Lysine 4-Chlorinase, BesD, in Both Ferrous and Ferryl States.

An aliphatic halogenase requires four substrates: 2-oxoglutarate (2OG), halide (Cl- or Br-), the halogenation target ("prime substrate"), and dioxygen. In well-studied cases, the three nongaseous substrates must bind to activate the enzyme's Fe(II) cofactor for efficient capture of O2. Halide, 2OG, and (lastly) O2 all coordinate directly to the cofactor to initiate its conversion to a cis-halo-oxo-iron(IV) (haloferryl) complex, which abstracts hydrogen (H•) from the non-coordinating prime substrate to enable radicaloid carbon-halogen coupling. We dissected the kinetic pathway and thermodynamic linkage in binding of the first three substrates of the l-lysine 4-chlorinase, BesD. After addition of 2OG, subsequent coordination of the halide to the cofactor and binding of cationic l-Lys near the cofactor are associated with strong heterotropic cooperativity. Progression to the haloferryl intermediate upon the addition of O2 does not trap the substrates in the active site and, in fact, markedly diminishes cooperativity between halide and l-Lys. The surprising lability of the BesD•[Fe(IV)=O]•Cl•succinate•l-Lys complex engenders pathways for decay of the haloferryl intermediate that do not result in l-Lys chlorination, especially at low chloride concentrations; one identified pathway involves oxidation of glycerol. The mechanistic data imply (i) that BesD may have evolved from a hydroxylase ancestor either relatively recently or under weak selective pressure for efficient chlorination and (ii) that acquisition of its activity may have involved the emergence of linkage between l-Lys binding and chloride coordination following the loss of the anionic protein-carboxylate iron ligand present in extant hydroxylases.

Substrate-Triggered µ-Peroxodiiron(III) Intermediate in the 4-Chloro-l-Lysine-Fragmenting Heme-Oxygenase-like Diiron Oxidase (HDO) BesC: Substrate Dissociation from, and C4 Targeting by, the Intermediate.

The enzyme BesC from the ß-ethynyl-l-serine biosynthetic pathway in Streptomyces cattleya fragments 4-chloro-l-lysine (produced from l-Lysine by BesD) to ammonia, formaldehyde, and 4-chloro-l-allylglycine and can analogously fragment l-Lys itself. BesC belongs to the emerging family of O2-activating non-heme-diiron enzymes with the "heme-oxygenase-like" protein fold (HDOs). Here, we show that the binding of l-Lys or an analogue triggers capture of O2 by the protein's diiron(II) cofactor to form a blue µ-peroxodiiron(III) intermediate analogous to those previously characterized in two other HDOs, the olefin-installing fatty acid decarboxylase, UndA, and the guanidino-N-oxygenase domain of SznF. The ∼5- and ∼30-fold faster decay of the intermediate in reactions with 4-thia-l-Lys and (4RS)-chloro-dl-lysine than in the reaction with l-Lys itself and the primary deuterium kinetic isotope effects (D-KIEs) on decay of the intermediate and production of l-allylglycine in the reaction with 4,4,5,5-[2H4]-l-Lys suggest that the peroxide intermediate or a reversibly connected successor complex abstracts a hydrogen atom from C4 to enable olefin formation. Surprisingly, the sluggish substrate l-Lys can dissociate after triggering intermediate formation, thereby allowing one of the better substrates to bind and react. The structure of apo BesC and the demonstrated linkage between Fe(II) and substrate binding suggest that the triggering event involves an induced ordering of ligand-providing helix 3 (α3) of the conditionally stable HDO core. As previously suggested for SznF, the dynamic α3 also likely initiates the spontaneous degradation of the diiron(III) product cluster after decay of the peroxide intermediate, a trait emerging as characteristic of the nascent HDO family.

What Is the Right Level of Activation of a High-Spin {FeNO}7 Complex to Enable Direct N-N Coupling? Mechanistic Insight into Flavodiiron NO Reductases.

Flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases (FNORs), found in pathogenic bacteria, are capable of reducing nitric oxide (NO) to nitrous oxide (N2O) to detoxify NO released by the human immune system. Previously, we reported the first FNOR model system that mediates direct NO reduction (Dong, H. T.; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 13429-13440), but no intermediate of the reaction could be characterized. Here, we present a new set of model complexes that, depending on the ligand substitution, can either mediate direct NO reduction or stabilize a highly activated high-spin (hs) {FeNO}7 complex, the first intermediate of the reaction. The precursors, [{FeII(MPA-(RPhO)2)}2] (1, R = H and 2, R = tBu, Me), were prepared first and fully characterized. Complex 1 (without steric protection) directly reduces NO to N2O almost quantitatively, which constitutes only the second example of this reaction in model systems. Contrarily, the reaction of sterically protected 2 with NO forms the stable mononitrosyl complex 3, which shows one of the lowest N-O stretching frequencies (1689 cm-1) observed so far for a mononuclear hs-{FeNO}7 complex. This study confirms that an N-O stretch ≤1700 cm-1 represents the appropriate level of activation of the FeNO unit to enable direct NO reduction. The higher activation level of these hs-{FeNO}7 complexes required for NO reduction compared to those formed in FNORs emphasizes the importance of hydrogen bonding residues in the active sites of FNORs to activate the bound NO ligands for direct N-N coupling and N2O formation. The implications of these results for FNORs are further discussed.

A Peroxodiiron(III/III) Intermediate Mediating Both N-Hydroxylation Steps in Biosynthesis of the N-Nitrosourea Pharmacophore of Streptozotocin by the Multi-domain Metalloenzyme SznF.

The alkylating warhead of the pancreatic cancer drug streptozotocin (SZN) contains an N-nitrosourea moiety constructed from Nω-methyl-l-arginine (l-NMA) by the multi-domain metalloenzyme SznF. The enzyme's central heme-oxygenase-like (HO-like) domain sequentially hydroxylates Nδ and Nω' of l-NMA. Its C-terminal cupin domain then rearranges the triply modified arginine to Nδ-hydroxy-Nω-methyl-Nω-nitroso-l-citrulline, the proposed donor of the functional pharmacophore. Here we show that the HO-like domain of SznF can bind Fe(II) and use it to capture O2, forming a peroxo-Fe2(III/III) intermediate. This intermediate has absorption- and Mössbauer-spectroscopic features similar to those of complexes previously trapped in ferritin-like diiron oxidases and oxygenases (FDOs) and, more recently, the HO-like fatty acid oxidase UndA. The SznF peroxo-Fe2(III/III) complex is an intermediate in both hydroxylation steps, as shown by the concentration-dependent acceleration of its decay upon exposure to either l-NMA or Nδ-hydroxy-Nω-methyl-l-Arg (l-HMA). The Fe2(III/III) cluster produced upon decay of the intermediate has a small Mössbauer quadrupole splitting parameter, implying that, unlike the corresponding product states of many FDOs, it lacks an oxo-bridge. The subsequent decomposition of the product cluster to one or more paramagnetic Fe(III) species over several hours explains why SznF was previously purified and crystallographically characterized without its cofactor. Programmed instability of the oxidized form of the cofactor appears to be a unifying characteristic of the emerging superfamily of HO-like diiron oxidases and oxygenases (HDOs).

The Fe2 (NO)2 Diamond Core: A Unique Structural Motif In Non-Heme Iron-NO Chemistry.

Non-heme high-spin (hs) {FeNO}8 complexes have been proposed as important intermediates towards N2 O formation in flavodiiron NO reductases (FNORs). Many hs-{FeNO}8 complexes disproportionate by forming dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs), but the mechanism of this reaction is not understood. While investigating this process, we isolated a new type of non-heme iron nitrosyl complex that is stabilized by an unexpected spin-state change. Upon reduction of the hs-{FeNO}7 complex, [Fe(TPA)(NO)(OTf)](OTf) (1), the N-O stretching band vanishes, but no sign of DNIC or N2 O formation is observed. Instead, the dimer, [Fe2 (TPA)2 (NO)2 ](OTf)2 (2) could be isolated and structurally characterized. We propose that 2 is formed from dimerization of the hs-{FeNO}8 intermediate, followed by a spin state change of the iron centers to low-spin (ls), and speculate that 2 models intermediates in hs-{FeNO}8 complexes that precede the disproportionation reaction.

Cyanide Docking and Linkage Isomerism in Models for the Artificial [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Maturation Process.

Linkage isomerization of the cyanide on the [2Fe] subsite of the [FeFe]-H2ase active site was reported to occur during the docking of various synthetic diiron complexes onto a carrier protein, apo-HydF, as the initial step for the artificial maturation of the [FeFe]-H2ase enzyme (Berggren et al., Nature, 2013, 499, 66-70). An investigation of our triiron organometallic models (FeFe-CN/NC-Fe') revealed that, once a Fe-CN-Fe connection is formed, high barriers prevent such cyanide linkage isomerization ( Chem. Sci., 2016, 7, 3710-3719). To explore effects of variable oxidation states of the receiver unit, we introduce copper(I/II) fragments, precedented in Holm's models of cytochrome c oxidase to induce cyanide isomerization (Cu-CN/NC-Fe), to the diiron synthetic analogues of [FeFe]-H2ase. For comparison, a zinc variant of the cytochrome c oxidase model is also examined. According to the oxidation state of copper, a cyanide flip was induced during the formation of both Zn-NC-Cu and FeFe-CN-Cu complexes. Density functional theory calculations are used to predict the mechanisms for such linkage isomerization and account for optimal conditions including oxidation states of metals, spin states, and solvation. These results on synthetic paradigms imply a role for oxidation state control of cyanide isomerization during hydrogenase active site assembly.

Diiron(III)-µ-Fluoro Bisporphyrins: Effect of Bridging Ligand on the Metal Spin State.

A hitherto unknown family of diiron(III)-µ-fluoro bisporphyrins has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Fluoride abstraction from SbF6 (-) and BF4 (-) resulted in the synthesis of the µ-fluoro complexes of ethane- and ethene-bridged diiron(III) bisporphyrins. Two such complexes were structurally characterized, which revealed a single fluoro bridge between two iron centers with a remarkably bent Fe-F-Fe unit. Although isoelectronic with the µ-hydroxo complexes, the µ-fluoro species are quite divergent in terms of the electronic structure and properties. UV/Vis spectroscopy of the µ-fluoro complex exhibits a large redshift (ca. 18 nm) of the Soret band in comparison to their µ-hydroxo analog. Combined analysis by single crystal X-ray structure determination and Mössbauer and (1) H NMR spectroscopy revealed the presence of two equivalent iron(III) centers in the µ-fluoro complexes in both solid and solution phases. In contrast, the iron(III) centers of the µ-hydroxo complexes are known to be inequivalent. Variable-temperature magnetic studies show a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the iron(III) centers of the µ-fluoro complexes with coupling constants (J) ranging from -33 to -40 cm(-1) . The experimental results were further supported by DFT calculations.

Effect of Inter-Porphyrin Distance on Spin-State in Diiron(III) µ-Hydroxo Bisporphyrins.

The synthesis, structure, and properties of bischloro, µ-oxo, and a family of µ-hydroxo complexes (with BF4 (-) , SbF6 (-) , and PF6 (-) counteranions) of diethylpyrrole-bridged diiron(III) bisporphyrins are reported. Spectroscopic characterization has revealed that the iron centers of the bischloro and µ-oxo complexes are in the high-spin state (S=(5) /2 ). However, the two iron centers in the diiron(III) µ-hydroxo complexes are equivalent with high spin (S=(5) /2 ) in the solid state and an intermediate-spin state (S=(3) /2 ) in solution. The molecules have been compared with previously known diiron(III) µ-hydroxo complexes of ethane-bridged bisporphyrin, in which two different spin states of iron were stabilized under the influence of counteranions. The dimanganese(III) analogues were also synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. A comparison of the X-ray structural parameters between diethylpyrrole and ethane-bridged µ-hydroxo bisporphyrins suggest an increased separation, and hence, less interactions between the two heme units of the former. As a result, unlike the ethane-bridged µ-hydroxo complex, both iron centers become equivalent in the diethylpyrrole-bridged complex and their spin state remains unresponsive to the change in counteranion. The iron(III) centers of the diethylpyrrole-bridged diiron(III) µ-oxo bisporphyrin undergo very strong antiferromagnetic interactions (J=-137.7 cm(-1) ), although the coupling constant is reduced to only a weak value in the µ-hydroxo complexes (J=-42.2, -44.1, and -42.4 cm(-1) for the BF4 , SbF6 , and PF6 complexes, respectively).

Effect of Two Interacting Rings in Metalloporphyrin Dimers upon Stepwise Oxidations.

The interaction between two porphyrin macrocycles, connected covalently through either a rigid ethylene or a flexible ethane bridge, in the metalloporphyrin dimers (M: 2H, Zn(2+)) have been investigated upon stepwise oxidations. Upon 1e-oxidation, two porphyrin macrocycles come closer and cofacial to each other while 2e-oxidation forces them to be separated as far as possible. This has resulted in the conversion of the cis isomer to trans for the ethylene bridged porphyrin dimer with the stabilization of an unusual "U" form, which has unique spectral and geometrical features. Detailed ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared (UV-vis-NIR), infrared (IR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic investigations, along with X-ray structure determination of the 2e-oxidized complexes, have demonstrated strong electronic communications between two porphyrin π-cation radicals through the bridging ethylene group. Such extensive π-conjugation also results in strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the radical spins of both of the macrocycles, which generates a diamagnetic compound. The experimental observations are also strongly supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of a Series of Novel Dimanganese(III) µ-Hydroxo Bisporphyrins: Magneto-Structural Correlation and Effect of Metal Spin on Porphyrin Core Deformation.

The synthesis, structure, and properties of a new family of five ethane-bridged dimanganese(III) µ-hydroxo bisporphyrins with the same core structure but different counteranions are reported here. Additions of 10% Brønsted acids such as HI, HBF4, HSbF6, HPF6, and HClO4 to a dichloromethane solution of the dichloro dimanganese(III) bisporphyrin produces complexes having a remarkably bent µ-hydroxo group with I3(-), BF4(-), SbF6(-), PF6(-), and ClO4(-) as counteranions, respectively. The X-ray structures of all complexes have been determined, which have revealed the presence of two equivalent high-spin manganese(III) centers with equally distorted porphyrin rings in the complexes, in sharp contrast with the case for the diiron(III) µ-hydroxo bisporphyrin analogues. (1)H NMR spectra have shown highly deshielded meso resonances, unlike the case for the diiron(III) analogues, where the meso resonances are highly shielded. The variable-temperature magnetic data have been subjected to a least-squares fit which provides a moderate antiferromagnetic coupling through the hydroxo bridge between two zero-field split Mn(III) centers with coupling constant (J) values ranging from -29.5 to -38.6 cm(-1). Fairly good correlations are observed for J with Mn-O(H) distances and Mn-O(H)-Mn angles for all the complexes except for that having an I3(-) counteranion. DFT calculations support the stabilization of two equivalent high-spin Mn(III) porphyrin cores in the complexes and have also explored the role of metal spin in controlling porphyrin ring deformation. Unlike diiron(III) µ-hydroxo bisporphyrin complexes, the dimanganese(III) analogues do not have easily accessible spin states of the metal attainable by subtle environmental perturbations and, therefore, can only stabilize the high-spin state with a variety of counteranions.

A Highly Oxidized Cobalt Porphyrin Dimer: Spin Coupling and Stabilization of the Four-Electron Oxidation Product.

A highly oxidized cobalt porphyrin dimer is reported. Each cobalt(II) ion and porphyrin ring underwent 1e oxidation with iodine as the oxidant to give a 4e-oxidized cobalt(III) porphyrin π-cation radical dimer. The bridging ethylene group allows for substantial conjugation of the porphyrin macrocycles, thus leading to a strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the π-cation radicals and to stabilization of the singlet state. X-ray crystallography clearly showed that the complex may be considered as a real supramolecule rather than two cobalt(III) porphyrin π-cation radicals that interact through space.

Spin-state ordering in hydroxo-bridged diiron(III)bisporphyrin complexes.

We report the synthesis, structure, and spectroscopic characterization of 1,2-bis[µ-hydroxo iron(III) 5-(2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphyrinyl)]ethane with PF6(­) and SbF6(­) counteranions. The two iron centers are nonequivalent with admixed intermediate spin state (S = 3/2 with a minor contribution of S = 5/2) on each metal both in the solid and in solution. The molecules are compared with previously known µ-hydroxo complexes with other counterions, such as I3(­), BF4(­), and ClO4(­), which demonstrates that the nature of the counterion can affect the spin-state ordering dramatically. To understand how the spin-state ordering is affected by external perturbations, we also have done a comprehensive computational study. The calculations show that subtle environmental perturbations affect the spin-state ordering and relative energies and are likely to be the root cause of the variation in spin-state ordering observed experimentally.

Axial thiophenolate coordination on diiron(III)bisporphyrin: influence of heme-heme interactions on structure, function and electrochemical properties of the individual heme center.

The binding of a series of substituted thiophenols as axial ligands on a highly flexible ethane-bridged diiron(III)bisporphyrin framework has been investigated as a model of diheme proteins. Spectroscopic characterization reveals a high-spin (S = 5/2) state of iron for all of the pentacoordinate thiophenolato complexes. In the UV-visible spectra of the complexes, the positions of the Soret and band I have been found to be dependent on the pKa of thiophenols. The alternating shift pattern, which has opposite sign of the chemical shifts for meta- vs. ortho- and para-protons in the (1)H NMR spectra, is attributed to negative and positive spin densities, respectively, on thiophenolate carbon atoms and is indicative of π-spin delocalization to the bound thiophenolate ligand. The Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple of the complexes bears a linear relationship with the pKa of thiophenol and is found to be positively shifted with decreasing pKa. The effect of the electronic nature of the substituent on the thiophenolate ring has also been demonstrated in which a large potential range of 540 mV was observed (in contrast to the value of only 270 mV in case of monoheme analogues) for the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple on going from monoheme to diheme and is attributed to the interheme interaction. Also, the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox potential of the thiophenolato complexes has been found to be more positively shifted compared to their phenolato analogues, which was further supported by DFT calculation. The addition of another thiophenol at the sixth axial position of the five-coordinate thiophenolato complex causes a change in iron spin from high (S = 5/2) to low (S = 1/2) along with a large positive shift of 490 mV for the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple.

Effect of heme-heme interactions and modulation of metal spins by counter anions in a series of diiron(III)-µ-hydroxo bisporphyrins: unusual stabilization of two different spins in a single molecular framework.

A new family of five ethene-bridged diiron(III)-µ-hydroxo bisporphyrins with the same core structure but different counter anions, represented by the general formula [Fe2 (bisporphyrin)]OH·X (X=counter anion), is reported herein. In these complexes, two different spin states of Fe are stabilized in a single molecular framework. Protonation of the oxo-bridged dimer 1 by strong Brønsted acids such as HI, HBF4, HPF6, HSbF6 , and HClO4 produces the µ-hydroxo complexes with I5(-)(2), BF4(-)(3), PF6(-)(4), SbF6(-)(5), and ClO4(-)(6) as counter anions, respectively. The X-ray structures of 2 and 6 have been determined, which provide a rare opportunity to investigate structural changes upon protonation. Spectroscopic characterization has revealed that the two iron(III) centers in 2 are nonequivalent with nearly high and admixed-intermediate spins in both the solid state and solution. Moreover, the two different Fe(III) centers of 3-5 are best described as having admixed-high and admixed-intermediate spins with variable contributions of S=5/2 and 3/2 for each state in the solid, but two different admixed-intermediate spins in solution. In contrast, the two Fe(III) centers in 6 are equivalent and are assigned as having high and intermediate spin states in the solid and solution, respectively. The X-ray structures reveal that the Fe-O bond length increases on going from the µ-oxo to the µ-hydroxo complexes, and the Fe-O(H)-Fe unit becomes more bent, with the dihedral angle decreasing from 150.9(2)° in 1 to 142.3(3)° and 143.85(2)° in 2 and 6, respectively. Variable-temperature magnetic data have been subjected to a least-squares fitting using the expressions derived from the spin Hamiltonians H=-2JS1·S2 -µ·B+D[S(2)(z) - 1/3S(S + 1)] (for 2, 3, 4, and 5) and H=-2JS1·S2 (for 6). The results show that strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the two Fe(III) centers in 1 is attenuated to nearly zero (-2.4 cm(-1)) in 2, whereas the values are -46, -32.6, -33.5, and -34 cm(-1) for 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively.

Methods for Biophysical Characterization of SznF, a Member of the Heme-Oxygenase-Like Diiron Oxidase/Oxygenase Superfamily.

Nonheme diiron enzymes harness the chemical potential of oxygen to catalyze challenging reactions in biology. In their resting state, these enzymes have a diferrous cofactor that is coordinated by histidine and carboxylate ligands. Upon exposure to oxygen, the cofactor oxidizes to its diferric state forming a peroxo- adduct, capable of catalyzing a wide range of oxidative chemistries such as desaturation and heteroatom oxidation. Despite their versatility and prowess, an emerging subset of nonheme diiron enzymes has inherent cofactor instability making them resistant to structural characterization. This feature is widespread among members of the heme-oxygenase-like diiron oxidase/oxygenase (HDO) superfamily. HDOs have a flexible core structure that remodels upon metal binding. Although ~9600 HDOs have been unearthed, few have undergone functional characterization to date. In this chapter, we describe the methods that have been used to characterize the HDO N-oxygenase, SznF. We demonstrate the overexpression and purification of apo-SznF and methodology specifically designed to aid in obtaining an X-ray structure of holo-SznF. We also describe the characterization of the transient SznF-peroxo-Fe(III)2 complex by stopped-flow absorption and Mössbauer spectroscopies. These studies provide the framework for the characterization of new members of the HDO superfamily.

Synergistic Binding of the Halide and Cationic Prime Substrate of the l-Lysine 4-Chlorinase, BesD, in Both Ferrous and Ferryl States.

An aliphatic halogenase requires four substrates: 2-oxoglutarate (2OG), halide (Cl - or Br - ), the halogenation target ("prime substrate"), and dioxygen. In well-studied cases, the three non-gaseous substrates must bind to activate the enzyme's Fe(II) cofactor for efficient capture of O 2 . Halide, 2OG, and (lastly) O 2 all coordinate directly to the cofactor to initiate its conversion to a cis -halo-oxo-iron(IV) (haloferryl) complex, which abstracts hydrogen (H•) from the non-coordinating prime substrate to enable radicaloid carbon-halogen coupling. We dissected the kinetic pathway and thermodynamic linkage in binding of the first three substrates of the l -lysine 4-chlorinase, BesD. After 2OG adds, subsequent coordination of the halide to the cofactor and binding of cationic l -Lys near the cofactor are associated with strong heterotropic cooperativity. Progression to the haloferryl intermediate upon addition of O 2 does not trap the substrates in the active site and, in fact, markedly diminishes cooperativity between halide and l -Lys. The surprising lability of the BesD•[Fe(IV)=O]•Cl•succinate• l -Lys complex engenders pathways for decay of the haloferryl intermediate that do not result in l -Lys chlorination, especially at low chloride concentrations; one identified pathway involves oxidation of glycerol. The mechanistic data imply that (i) BesD may have evolved from a hydroxylase ancestor either relatively recently or under weak selective pressure for efficient chlorination and (ii) that acquisition of its activity may have involved the emergence of linkage between l -Lys binding and chloride coordination following loss of the anionic protein-carboxylate iron ligand present in extant hydroxylases.

Switching orientation of two axial imidazole ligands between parallel and perpendicular in low-spin Fe(III) and Fe(II) nonplanar porphyrinates.

We have reported here the synthesis, structure, and properties of low-spin bis-imidazole-coordinated Fe(III) and Fe(II) complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)-2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octachloroporphyrin, [Fe(III)(TFPPCl(8))(L)(2)]ClO(4) and Fe(II)(TFPPCl(8))(L)(2) (L = 1-methylimidazole, 4-methylimidazole, imidazole). The X-ray structure of Fe(II)(TFPPCl(8))(1-MeIm)(2) is reported here, which demonstrated the near-perpendicular axial ligand orientation (dihedral angle between two 1-methylimidazoles is 80.7°) for Fe(II) porphyrins in a highly saddle-distorted macrocyclic environment. Oxidation of Fe(II)(TFPPCl(8))(L)(2) using thianthrenium perchlorate produces [Fe(III)(TFPPCl(8))(L)(2)]ClO(4), which was also isolated in the solid state and characterized spectroscopically. The complex gives rhombic EPR spectra in both solid and solution phases at 77 K and thus represents a rare example of nearly parallel axial ligand orientations for the unhindered imidazoles in a saddle-distorted porphyrin macrocycle. Geometry optimization using DFT also converged to the parallel axial alignment when 1-methylimidazole was used as the axial ligand (the dihedral angle between two axial ligands is 8.6°). The potential energy surface (PES) scan results also show that the relatively parallel axial orientations are energetically preferred for Fe(III), while perpendicular orientations are preferred for the Fe(II) complexes reported here. Bulk oxidation of Fe(II)(TFPPCl(8))(L)(2) in dichloromethane at a constant potential under nitrogen converts it to [Fe(III)(TFPPCl(8))(L)(2)]ClO(4), which gives identical EPR spectra at 77 K and which upon reduction regenerates Fe(II)(TFPPCl(8))(L)(2) again. Thus, we have demonstrated here very rare examples of Fe porphyrins in which the relative axial imidazole orientations switch between parallel and perpendicular just upon changing the oxidation states of iron from +3 to +2, respectively, in a nonplanar porphyrinic environment. These observations could be immensely important for understanding the possible effects of axial histidine orientations on similar macrocyclic deformations observed in various heme proteins.

Synthesis and characterization of a model complex for flavodiiron NO reductases that stabilizes a diiron mononitrosyl complex.

Flavodiiron NO reductases (FNORs) are important enzymes in microbial pathogenesis, as they equip microbes with resistance to the human immune defense agent nitric oxide (NO). DFT calculations predict that a network of second coordination sphere (SCS) hydrogen bonds is critical for the key NN coupling step in the NO reduction reaction catalyzed by FNORs. In this study, we report the synthesis of a model complex of FNORs with pendant hydrogen bond donors. For this purpose, the ligand H[BPMP] (= 2,6-bis[[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl]-4-methylphenol) was modified with two amide groups in the SCS. Reaction of the precursor complex [Fe2(BPMP(NHCOtBu)2)(OAc)](OTf)2 (1) (OTf- = triflate anion) with NO in the presence of base led to the surprising isolation of a diiron mononitrosyl complex, [Fe2(BPMP(NHCOtBu)(NCOtBu))(OAc)(NO)](OTf) (2) and a triiron decomposition product, [Fe3(BPMP(NHCOtBu)2)(OAc)2(µ-O)2(ONO)](OTf) (3), which were both structurally characterized. Complex 2 models the corresponding mononitrosyl adduct in FNORs. This result points towards a strategy that can be used to stabilize mononitrosyl diiron complexes, using the SCS.

Characterization of LipS1 and LipS2 from Thermococcus kodakarensis: Proteins Annotated as Biotin Synthases, which Together Catalyze Formation of the Lipoyl Cofactor.

Lipoic acid is an eight-carbon sulfur-containing biomolecule that functions primarily as a cofactor in several multienzyme complexes. It is biosynthesized as an attachment to a specific lysyl residue on one of the subunits of these multienzyme complexes. In Escherichia coli and many other organisms, this biosynthetic pathway involves two dedicated proteins: octanoyltransferase (LipB) and lipoyl synthase (LipA). LipB transfers an n-octanoyl chain from the octanoyl-acyl carrier protein to the target lysyl residue, and then, LipA attaches two sulfur atoms (one at C6 and one at C8) to give the final lipoyl cofactor. All classical lipoyl synthases (LSs) are radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzymes, which use an [Fe4S4] cluster to reductively cleave SAM to generate a 5'-deoxyadenosyl 5'-radical. Classical LSs also contain a second [Fe4S4] cluster that serves as the source of both appended sulfur atoms. Recently, a novel pathway for generating the lipoyl cofactor was reported. This pathway replaces the canonical LS with two proteins, LipS1 and LipS2, which act together to catalyze formation of the lipoyl cofactor. In this work, we further characterize LipS1 and LipS2 biochemically and spectroscopically. Although LipS1 and LipS2 were previously annotated as biotin synthases, we show that both proteins, unlike E. coli biotin synthase, contain two [Fe4S4] clusters. We identify the cluster ligands to both iron-sulfur clusters in both proteins and show that LipS2 acts only on an octanoyl-containing substrate, while LipS1 acts only on an 8-mercaptooctanoyl-containing substrate. Therefore, similarly to E. coli biotin synthase and in contrast to E. coli LipA, sulfur attachment takes place initially at the terminal carbon (C8) and then at the C6 methylene carbon.