Defining the mode of action of cisplatin combined with NUC-1031, a phosphoramidate modification of gemcitabine.

The combination of gemcitabine with platinum agents is a widely used chemotherapy regimen for a number of tumour types. Gemcitabine plus cisplatin remains the current therapeutic choice for biliary tract cancer. Gemcitabine is associated with multiple cellular drug resistance mechanisms and other limitations and has thereforelined in use. NUC-1031 (Acelarin) is a phosphorylated form of gemcitabine, protected by the addition of a phosphoramidate moiety, developed to circumvent the key limitations and generate high levels of the cytotoxic metabolite, dFdCTP. The rationale for combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin is determined by in vitro cytotoxicity. This, however, does not offer an explanation of how these drugs lead to cell death. In this study we investigate the mechanism of action for NUC-1031 combined with cisplatin as a rationale for treatment. NUC-1031 is metabolised to dFdCTP, detectable up to 72 h post-treatment and incorporated into DNA, to stall the cell cycle and cause DNA damage in biliary tract and ovarian cancer cell lines. In combination with cisplatin, DNA damage was increased and occurred earlier compared to monotherapy. The damage associated with NUC-1031 may be potentiated by a second mechanism, via binding the RRM1 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase and perturbing the nucleotide pools; however, this may be mitigated by increased RRM1 expression. The implication of this was investigated in case studies from a Phase I clinical trial to observe whether baseline RRM1 expression in tumour tissue at time of diagnosis correlates with patient survival.

Catalytic Cycle of the Bifunctional Enzyme Phosphoribosyl-ATP Pyrophosphohydrolase/Phosphoribosyl-AMP Cyclohydrolase.

The bifunctional enzyme phosphoribosyl-ATP pyrophosphohydrolase/phosphoribosyl-AMP cyclohydrolase (HisIE) catalyzes the second and third steps of histidine biosynthesis: pyrophosphohydrolysis of N1-(5-phospho-ß-D-ribosyl)-ATP (PRATP) to N1-(5-phospho-ß-D-ribosyl)-AMP (PRAMP) and pyrophosphate in the C-terminal HisE-like domain, and cyclohydrolysis of PRAMP to N-(5'-phospho-D-ribosylformimino)-5-amino-1-(5″-phospho-D-ribosyl)-4-imidazolecarboxamide (ProFAR) in the N-terminal HisI-like domain. Here we use UV-VIS spectroscopy and LC-MS to show Acinetobacter baumannii putative HisIE produces ProFAR from PRATP. Employing an assay to detect pyrophosphate and another to detect ProFAR, we established the pyrophosphohydrolase reaction rate is higher than the overall reaction rate. We produced a truncated version of the enzyme-containing only the C-terminal (HisE) domain. This truncated HisIE was catalytically active, which allowed the synthesis of PRAMP, the substrate for the cyclohydrolysis reaction. PRAMP was kinetically competent for HisIE-catalyzed ProFAR production, demonstrating PRAMP can bind the HisI-like domain from bulk water, and suggesting that the cyclohydrolase reaction is rate-limiting for the overall bifunctional enzyme. The overall kcat increased with increasing pH, while the solvent deuterium kinetic isotope effect decreased at more basic pH but was still large at pH 7.5. The lack of solvent viscosity effects on kcat and kcat/KM ruled out diffusional steps limiting the rates of substrate binding and product release. Rapid kinetics with excess PRATP demonstrated a lag time followed by a burst in ProFAR formation. These observations are consistent with a rate-limiting unimolecular step involving a proton transfer following adenine ring opening. We synthesized N1-(5-phospho-ß-D-ribosyl)-ADP (PRADP), which could not be processed by HisIE. PRADP inhibited HisIE-catalyzed ProFAR formation from PRATP but not from PRAMP, suggesting that it binds to the phosphohydrolase active site while still permitting unobstructed access of PRAMP to the cyclohydrolase active site. The kinetics data are incompatible with a build-up of PRAMP in bulk solvent, indicating HisIE catalysis involves preferential channeling of PRAMP, albeit not via a protein tunnel.

The novel anti-cancer fluoropyrimidine NUC-3373 is a potent inhibitor of thymidylate synthase and an effective DNA-damaging agent.

INTRODUCTION: Fluoropyrimidines, principally 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), remain a key component of chemotherapy regimens for multiple cancer types, in particular colorectal and other gastrointestinal malignancies. To overcome key limitations and pharmacologic challenges that hinder the clinical utility of 5-FU, NUC-3373, a phosphoramidate transformation of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, was designed to improve the efficacy and safety profile as well as the administration challenges associated with 5-FU. METHODS: Human colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116 and SW480 were treated with sub-IC50 doses of NUC-3373 or 5-FU. Intracellular activation was measured by LC-MS. Western blot was performed to determine binding of the active anti-cancer metabolite FdUMP to thymidylate synthase (TS) and DNA damage. RESULTS: We demonstrated that NUC-3373 generates more FdUMP than 5-FU, resulting in a more potent inhibition of TS, DNA misincorporation and subsequent cell cycle arrest and DNA damage in vitro. Unlike 5-FU, the thymineless death induced by NUC-3373 was rescued by the concurrent addition of exogenous thymidine. 5-FU cytotoxicity, however, was only reversed by supplementation with uridine, a treatment used to reduce 5-FU-induced toxicities in the clinic. This is in line with our findings that 5-FU generates FUTP which is incorporated into RNA, a mechanism known to underlie the myelosuppression and gastrointestinal inflammation associated with 5-FU. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results highlight key differences between NUC-3373 and 5-FU that are driven by the anti-cancer metabolites generated. NUC-3373 is a potent inhibitor of TS that also causes DNA-directed damage. These data support the preliminary clinical evidence that suggest NUC-3373 has a favorable safety profile in patients.

Structure, dynamics, and molecular inhibition of the Staphylococcus aureus m1A22-tRNA methyltransferase TrmK.

The enzyme m1A22-tRNA methyltransferase (TrmK) catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group to the N1 of adenine 22 in bacterial tRNAs. TrmK is essential for Staphylococcus aureus survival during infection but has no homolog in mammals, making it a promising target for antibiotic development. Here, we characterize the structure and function of S. aureus TrmK (SaTrmK) using X-ray crystallography, binding assays, and molecular dynamics simulations. We report crystal structures for the SaTrmK apoenzyme as well as in complexes with methyl donor SAM and co-product product SAH. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed that SAM binds to the enzyme with favorable but modest enthalpic and entropic contributions, whereas SAH binding leads to an entropic penalty compensated for by a large favorable enthalpic contribution. Molecular dynamics simulations point to specific motions of the C-terminal domain being altered by SAM binding, which might have implications for tRNA recruitment. In addition, activity assays for SaTrmK-catalyzed methylation of A22 mutants of tRNALeu demonstrate that the adenine at position 22 is absolutely essential. In silico screening of compounds suggested the multifunctional organic toxin plumbagin as a potential inhibitor of TrmK, which was confirmed by activity measurements. Furthermore, LC-MS data indicated the protein was covalently modified by one equivalent of the inhibitor, and proteolytic digestion coupled with LC-MS identified Cys92 in the vicinity of the SAM-binding site as the sole residue modified. These results identify a cryptic binding pocket of SaTrmK, laying a foundation for future structure-based drug discovery.

Correction: Bypassing the requirement for aminoacyl-tRNA by a cyclodipeptide synthase enzyme.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D0CB00142B.].

Bypassing the requirement for aminoacyl-tRNA by a cyclodipeptide synthase enzyme.

Cyclodipeptide synthases (CDPSs) produce a variety of cyclic dipeptide products by utilising two aminoacylated tRNA substrates. We sought to investigate the minimal requirements for substrate usage in this class of enzymes as the relationship between CDPSs and their substrates remains elusive. Here, we investigated the Bacillus thermoamylovorans enzyme, BtCDPS, which synthesises cyclo(l-Leu-l-Leu). We systematically tested where specificity arises and, in the process, uncovered small molecules (activated amino esters) that will suffice as substrates, although catalytically poor. We solved the structure of BtCDPS to 1.7 Å and combining crystallography, enzymatic assays and substrate docking experiments propose a model for how the minimal substrates interact with the enzyme. This work is the first report of a CDPS enzyme utilizing a molecule other than aa-tRNA as a substrate; providing insights into substrate requirements and setting the stage for the design of improved simpler substrates.

The dynamic interplay of host and viral enzymes in type III CRISPR-mediated cyclic nucleotide signalling.

Cyclic nucleotide second messengers are increasingly implicated in prokaryotic anti-viral defence systems. Type III CRISPR systems synthesise cyclic oligoadenylate (cOA) upon detecting foreign RNA, activating ancillary nucleases that can be toxic to cells, necessitating mechanisms to remove cOA in systems that operate via immunity rather than abortive infection. Previously, we demonstrated that the Sulfolobus solfataricus type III-D CRISPR complex generates cyclic tetra-adenylate (cA4), activating the ribonuclease Csx1, and showed that subsequent RNA cleavage and dissociation acts as an 'off-switch' for the cyclase activity. Subsequently, we identified the cellular ring nuclease Crn1, which slowly degrades cA4 to reset the system (Rouillon et al., 2018), and demonstrated that viruses can subvert type III CRISPR immunity by means of a potent anti-CRISPR ring nuclease variant AcrIII-1. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the dynamic interplay between these enzymes, governing cyclic nucleotide levels and infection outcomes in virus-host conflict.

Allosteric Activation Shifts the Rate-Limiting Step in a Short-Form ATP Phosphoribosyltransferase.

Short-form ATP phosphoribosyltransferase (ATPPRT) is a hetero-octameric allosteric enzyme comprising four catalytic subunits (HisGS) and four regulatory subunits (HisZ). ATPPRT catalyzes the Mg2+-dependent condensation of ATP and 5-phospho-α-d-ribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) to generate N1-(5-phospho-ß-d-ribosyl)-ATP (PRATP) and pyrophosphate, the first reaction of histidine biosynthesis. While HisGS is catalytically active on its own, its activity is allosterically enhanced by HisZ in the absence of histidine. In the presence of histidine, HisZ mediates allosteric inhibition of ATPPRT. Here, initial velocity patterns, isothermal titration calorimetry, and differential scanning fluorimetry establish a distinct kinetic mechanism for ATPPRT where PRPP is the first substrate to bind. AMP is an inhibitor of HisGS, but steady-state kinetics and 31P NMR spectroscopy demonstrate that ADP is an alternative substrate. Replacement of Mg2+ by Mn2+ enhances catalysis by HisGS but not by the holoenzyme, suggesting different rate-limiting steps for nonactivated and activated enzyme forms. Density functional theory calculations posit an SN2-like transition state stabilized by two equivalents of the metal ion. Natural bond orbital charge analysis points to Mn2+ increasing HisGS reaction rate via more efficient charge stabilization at the transition state. High solvent viscosity increases HisGS's catalytic rate, but decreases the hetero-octamer's, indicating that chemistry and product release are rate-limiting for HisGS and ATPPRT, respectively. This is confirmed by pre-steady-state kinetics, with a burst in product formation observed with the hetero-octamer but not with HisGS. These results are consistent with an activation mechanism whereby HisZ binding leads to a more active conformation of HisGS, accelerating chemistry beyond the product release rate.

Characterization of the Fast and Promiscuous Macrocyclase from Plant PCY1 Enables the Use of Simple Substrates.

Cyclic ribosomally derived peptides possess diverse bioactivities and are currently of major interest in drug development. However, it can be chemically challenging to synthesize these molecules, hindering the diversification and testing of cyclic peptide leads. Enzymes used in vitro offer a solution to this; however peptide macrocyclization remains the bottleneck. PCY1, involved in the biosynthesis of plant orbitides, belongs to the class of prolyl oligopeptidases and natively displays substrate promiscuity. PCY1 is a promising candidate for in vitro utilization, but its substrates require an 11 to 16 residue C-terminal recognition tail. We have characterized PCY1 both kinetically and structurally with multiple substrate complexes revealing the molecular basis of recognition and catalysis. Using these insights, we have identified a three residue C-terminal extension that replaces the natural recognition tail permitting PCY1 to operate on synthetic substrates. We demonstrate that PCY1 can macrocyclize a variety of substrates with this short tail, including unnatural amino acids and nonamino acids, highlighting PCY1's potential in biocatalysis.

Characterization of a dual function macrocyclase enables design and use of efficient macrocyclization substrates.

Peptide macrocycles are promising therapeutic molecules because they are protease resistant, structurally rigid, membrane permeable, and capable of modulating protein-protein interactions. Here, we report the characterization of the dual function macrocyclase-peptidase enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the highly toxic amanitin toxin family of macrocycles. The enzyme first removes 10 residues from the N-terminus of a 35-residue substrate. Conformational trapping of the 25 amino-acid peptide forces the enzyme to release this intermediate rather than proceed to macrocyclization. The enzyme rebinds the 25 amino-acid peptide in a different conformation and catalyzes macrocyclization of the N-terminal eight residues. Structures of the enzyme bound to both substrates and biophysical analysis characterize the different binding modes rationalizing the mechanism. Using these insights simpler substrates with only five C-terminal residues were designed, allowing the enzyme to be more effectively exploited in biotechnology.

The rhizoferrin biosynthetic gene in the fungal pathogen Rhizopus delemar is a novel member of the NIS gene family.

Iron is essential for growth and in low iron environments such as serum many bacteria and fungi secrete ferric iron-chelating molecules called siderophores. All fungi produce hydroxamate siderophores with the exception of Mucorales fungi, which secrete rhizoferrin, a polycarboxylate siderophore. Here we investigated the biosynthesis of rhizoferrin by the opportunistic human pathogen, Rhizopus delemar. We searched the genome of R. delemar 99-880 for a homologue of the bacterial NRPS-independent siderophore (NIS) protein, SfnaD, that is involved in biosynthesis of staphyloferrin A in Staphylococcus aureus. A protein was identified in R. delemar with 22% identity and 37% similarity with SfnaD, containing an N-terminal IucA/IucC family domain, and a C-terminal conserved ferric iron reductase FhuF-like transporter domain. Expression of the putative fungal rhizoferrin synthetase (rfs) gene was repressed by iron. The rfs gene was cloned and expressed in E.coli and siderophore biosynthesis from citrate and diaminobutane was confirmed using high resolution LC-MS. Substrate specificity was investigated showing that Rfs produced AMP when oxaloacetic acid, tricarballylic acid, ornithine, hydroxylamine, diaminopentane and diaminopropane were employed as substrates. Based on the production of AMP and the presence of a mono-substituted rhizoferrin, we suggest that Rfs is a member of the superfamily of adenylating enzymes. We used site-directed mutagenesis to mutate selected conserved residues predicted to be in the Rfs active site. These studies revealed that H484 is essential for Rfs activity and L544 may play a role in amine recognition by the enzyme. This study on Rfs is the first characterization of a fungal NIS enzyme. Future work will determine if rhizoferrin biosynthesis is required for virulence in Mucorales fungi.

Kinetic Landscape of a Peptide Bond-Forming Prolyl Oligopeptidase.

Prolyl oligopeptidase B from Galerina marginata (GmPOPB) has recently been discovered as a peptidase capable of breaking and forming peptide bonds to yield a cyclic peptide. Despite the relevance of prolyl oligopeptidases in human biology and disease, a kinetic analysis pinpointing rate-limiting steps for a member of this enzyme family is not available. Macrocyclase enzymes are currently exploited to produce cyclic peptides with potential therapeutic applications. Cyclic peptides are promising druglike molecules because of their stability and conformational rigidity. Here we describe an in-depth kinetic characterization of a prolyl oligopeptidase acting as a macrocyclase enzyme. By combining steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetics, we propose a kinetic sequence in which a step after macrocyclization limits steady-state turnover. Additionally, product release is ordered, where the cyclic peptide departs first followed by the peptide tail. Dissociation of the peptide tail is slow and significantly contributes to the turnover rate. Furthermore, trapping of the enzyme by the peptide tail becomes significant beyond initial rate conditions. The presence of a burst of product formation and a large viscosity effect further support the rate-limiting nature of a physical step occurring after macrocyclization. This is the first detailed description of the kinetic sequence of a macrocyclase enzyme from this class. GmPOPB is among the fastest macrocyclases described to date, and this work is a necessary step toward designing broad-specificity efficient macrocyclases.

Protein mass-modulated effects in the catalytic mechanism of dihydrofolate reductase: beyond promoting vibrations.

The role of fast protein dynamics in enzyme catalysis has been of great interest in the past decade. Recent "heavy enzyme" studies demonstrate that protein mass-modulated vibrations are linked to the energy barrier for the chemical step of catalyzed reactions. However, the role of fast dynamics in the overall catalytic mechanism of an enzyme has not been addressed. Protein mass-modulated effects in the catalytic mechanism of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (ecDHFR) are explored by isotopic substitution ((13)C, (15)N, and non-exchangeable (2)H) of the wild-type ecDHFR (l-DHFR) to generate a vibrationally perturbed "heavy ecDHFR" (h-DHFR). Steady-state, pre-steady-state, and ligand binding kinetics, intrinsic kinetic isotope effects (KIEint) on the chemical step, and thermal unfolding experiments of both l- and h-DHFR show that the altered protein mass affects the conformational ensembles and protein-ligand interactions, but does not affect the hydride transfer at physiological temperatures (25-45 °C). Below 25 °C, h-DHFR shows altered transition state (TS) structure and increased barrier-crossing probability of the chemical step compared with l-DHFR, indicating temperature-dependent protein vibrational coupling to the chemical step. Protein mass-modulated vibrations in ecDHFR are involved in TS interactions at cold temperatures and are linked to dynamic motions involved in ligand binding at physiological temperatures. Thus, mass effects can affect enzymatic catalysis beyond alterations in promoting vibrations linked to chemistry.

One substrate, five products: reactions catalyzed by the dihydroneopterin aldolase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tetrahydrofolate cofactors are required for one carbon transfer reaction involved in the synthesis of purines, amino acids, and thymidine. Inhibition of tetrahydrofolate biosynthesis is a powerful therapeutic strategy in the treatment of several diseases, and the possibility of using antifolates to inhibit enzymes from Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been explored. This work focuses on the study of the first enzyme in tetrahydrofolate biosynthesis that is unique to bacteria, dihydroneopterin aldolase (MtDHNA). This enzyme requires no metals or cofactors and does not form a protein-mediated Schiff base with the substrate, unlike most aldolases. Here, we were able to demonstrate that the reaction catalyzed by MtDHNA generates three different pterin products, one of which is not produced by other wild-type DHNAs. The enzyme-substrate complex partitions 51% in the first turnover to form the aldolase products, 24% to the epimerase product and 25% to the oxygenase products. The aldolase reaction is strongly pH dependent, and apparent pK(a) values were obtained for the first time for this class of enzyme. Furthermore, chemistry is rate limiting for the aldolase reaction, and the analysis of solvent kinetic isotope effects in steady-state and pre-steady-state conditions, combined with proton inventory studies, revealed that two protons and a likely solvent contribution are involved in formation and breakage of a common intermediate. This study provides information about the plasticity required from a catalyst that possesses high substrate specificity while being capable of utilizing two distinct epimers with the same efficiency to generate five distinct products.

Two parallel pathways in the kinetic sequence of the dihydrofolate reductase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Dihydrofolate reductase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtDHFR) catalyzes the NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of dihydrofolate, yielding NAD(P)(+) and tetrahydrofolate, the primary one-carbon unit carrier in biology. Tetrahydrofolate needs to be recycled so that reactions involved in dTMP synthesis and purine metabolism can be maintained. Previously, steady-state studies revealed that the chemical step significantly contributes to the steady-state turnover number, but that a step after the chemical step was likely limiting the reaction rate. Here, we report the first pre-steady-state investigation of the kinetic sequence of the MtDHFR aiming to identify kinetic intermediates, and the identity of the rate-limiting steps. This kinetic analysis suggests a kinetic sequence comprising two parallel pathways with a rate-determining product release. Although product release is likely occurring in a random fashion, there is a slight preference for the release of THF first, a kinetic sequence never observed for a wild-type dihydrofolate reductase of any organism studied to date. Temperature studies were conducted to determine the magnitude of the energetic barrier posed by the chemical step, and the pH dependence of the chemical step was studied, demonstrating an acidic shift from the pK(a) observed at the steady state. The rate constants obtained here were combined with the activation energy for the chemical step to compare energy profiles for each kinetic sequence. The two parallel pathways are discussed, as well as their implications for the catalytic cycle of this enzyme.

Kinetic and chemical mechanism of the dihydrofolate reductase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Dihydrofolate reductase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtDHFR) catalyzes the NAD(P)-dependent reduction of dihydrofolate, yielding NAD(P)(+) and tetrahydrofolate, the primary one-carbon unit carrier in biology. Tetrahydrofolate needs to be recycled so that reactions involved in dTMP synthesis and purine metabolism are maintained. In this work, we report the kinetic characterization of the MtDHFR. This enzyme has a sequential steady-state random kinetic mechanism, probably with a preferred pathway with NADPH binding first. A pK(a) value for an enzymic acid of approximately 7.0 was identified from the pH dependence of V, and the analysis of the primary kinetic isotope effects revealed that the hydride transfer step is at least partly rate-limiting throughout the pH range analyzed. Additionally, solvent and multiple kinetic isotope effects were determined and analyzed, and equilibrium isotope effects were measured on the equilibrium constant. (D(2)O)V and (D(2)O)V/K([4R-4-(2)H]NADH) were slightly inverse at pH 6.0, and inverse values for (D(2)O)V([4R-4-(2)H]NADH) and (D(2)O)V/K([4R-4-(2)H]NADH) suggested that a pre-equilibrium protonation is occurring before the hydride transfer step, indicating a stepwise mechanism for proton and hydride transfer. The same value was obtained for (D)k(H) at pH 5.5 and 7.5, reaffirming the rate-limiting nature of the hydride transfer step. A chemical mechanism is proposed on the basis of the results obtained here.

Steady-state kinetics of indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthase (IGPS) catalyzes the irreversible ring closure of 1-(o-carboxyphenylamino)-1-deoxyribulose 5-phosphate (CdRP), through decarboxylation and dehydration steps, releasing indole-3-glycerol phosphate (IGP), the fourth step in the biosynthesis of tryptophan. This pathway is essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence. Here we describe the cloning, expression, purification, and kinetic characterization of IGPS from M. tuberculosis. To perform kinetic studies, CdRP was chemically synthesized, purified, and spectroscopically and spectrometrically characterized. CdRP fluorescence was pH-dependent, probably owing to excited-state intramolecular proton transfer. The activation energy was calculated, and solvent isotope effects and proton inventory studies were performed. pH-rate profiles were carried out to probe for acid/base catalysis, showing that a deprotonated residue is necessary for CdRP binding and conversion to IGP. A model to describe a steady-state kinetic sequence for MtIGPS-catalized chemical reaction is proposed.