Structure-Based Engineering of a Sesquiterpene Cyclase to Generate an Alcohol Product: Conversion of epi-Isozizaene Synthase into α-Bisabolol Synthase.

The sesquiterpene cyclase epi-isozizaene synthase (EIZS) from Streptomyces coelicolor catalyzes the metal-dependent conversion of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) into the complex tricyclic product epi-isozizaene. This remarkable transformation is governed by an active site contour that serves as a template for catalysis, directing the conformations of multiple carbocation intermediates leading to the final product. Mutagenesis of residues defining the active site contour remolds its three-dimensional shape and reprograms the cyclization cascade to generate alternative cyclization products. In some cases, mutagenesis enables alternative chemistry to quench carbocation intermediates, e.g., through hydroxylation. Here, we combine structural and biochemical data from previously characterized EIZS mutants to design and prepare F95S-F198S EIZS, which converts EIZS into an α-bisabolol synthase with moderate fidelity (65% at 18 °C, 74% at 4 °C). We report the complete biochemical characterization of this double mutant as well as the 1.47 Å resolution X-ray crystal structure of its complex with three Mg2+ ions, inorganic pyrophosphate, and the benzyltriethylammonium cation, which partially mimics a carbocation intermediate. Most notably, the two mutations together create an active site contour that stabilizes the bisabolyl carbocation intermediate and positions a water molecule for the hydroxylation reaction. Structural comparison with a naturally occurring α-bisabolol synthase reveals common active site features that direct α-bisabolol generation. In showing that EIZS can be redesigned to generate a sesquiterpene alcohol product instead of a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon product, we have expanded the potential of EIZS as a platform for the development of designer cyclases that could be utilized in synthetic biology applications.

Reprogramming the Cyclization Cascade of epi-Isozizaene Synthase to Generate Alternative Terpene Products.

The class I sesquiterpene cyclase epi-isozizaene synthase from Streptomyces coelicolor (EIZS) catalyzes the transformation of linear farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) into the tricyclic hydrocarbon epi-isozizaene in the biosynthesis of albaflavenone antibiotics. The active site cavity of EIZS is largely framed by four aromatic residues - F95, F96, F198, and W203 - that form a product-shaped contour, serving as a template to chaperone conformations of the flexible substrate and multiple carbocation intermediates leading to epi-isozizaene. Remolding the active site contour by mutagenesis can redirect the cyclization cascade away from epi-isozizaene biosynthesis to generate alternative sesquiterpene products. Here, we present the biochemical and structural characterization of four EIZS mutants in which aromatic residues have been substituted with polar residues (F95S, F96H, F198S, and F198T) to generate alternative cyclization products. Most notably, F95S EIZS generates a mixture of monocyclic sesquiterpene precursors of bisabolane, a D2 diesel fuel substitute. X-ray crystal structures of the characterized mutants reveal subtle changes in the active site contour showing how each aromatic residue influences the chemistry of a different carbocation intermediate in the cyclization cascade. We advance that EIZS may serve as a robust platform for the development of designer cyclases for the generation of high-value sesquiterpene products ranging from pharmaceuticals to biofuels in synthetic biology approaches.

Structural Basis of Substrate Promiscuity and Catalysis by the Reverse Prenyltransferase N-Dimethylallyl-l-tryptophan Synthase from Fusarium fujikuroi.

The regiospecific prenylation of an aromatic amino acid catalyzed by a dimethylallyl-l-tryptophan synthase (DMATS) is a key step in the biosynthesis of many fungal and bacterial natural products. DMATS enzymes share a common "ABBA" fold with divergent active site contours that direct alternative C-C, C-N, and C-O bond-forming trajectories. DMATS1 from Fusarium fujikuroi catalyzes the reverse N-prenylation of l-Trp by generating an allylic carbocation from dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) that then alkylates the indole nitrogen of l-Trp. DMATS1 stands out among the greater DMATS family because it exhibits unusually broad substrate specificity: it can utilize geranyl diphosphate (GPP) or l-Tyr as an alternative prenyl donor or acceptor, respectively; it can catalyze both forward and reverse prenylation, i.e., at C1 or C3 of DMAPP; and it can catalyze C-N and C-O bond-forming reactions. Here, we report the crystal structures of DMATS1 and its complexes with l-Trp or l-Tyr and unreactive thiolodiphosphate analogues of the prenyl donors DMAPP and GPP. Structures of ternary complexes mimic Michaelis complexes with actual substrates and illuminate active site features that govern prenylation regiochemistry. Comparison with CymD, a bacterial enzyme that catalyzes the reverse N-prenylation of l-Trp with DMAPP, indicates that bacterial and fungal DMATS enzymes share a conserved reaction mechanism. However, the narrower active site contour of CymD enforces narrower substrate specificity. Structure-function relationships established for DMATS enzymes will ultimately inform protein engineering experiments that will broaden the utility of these enzymes as useful tools for synthetic biology.

Engineering the Prenyltransferase Domain of a Bifunctional Assembly-Line Terpene Synthase.

Copalyl diphosphate (CPP) synthase from Penicillium verruculosum (PvCPS) is a bifunctional diterpene synthase with both prenyltransferase and class II cyclase activities. The prenyltransferase α domain catalyzes the condensation of C5 dimethylallyl diphosphate with three successively added C5 isopentenyl diphosphates (IPPs) to form C20 geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), which then undergoes a class II cyclization reaction at the ßγ domain interface to generate CPP. The prenyltransferase α domain mediates oligomerization to form a 648-kD (αßγ)6 hexamer. In the current study, we explore prenyltransferase structure-function relationships in this oligomeric assembly-line platform with the goal of generating alternative linear isoprenoid products. Specifically, we report steady-state enzyme kinetics, product analysis, and crystal structures of various site-specific variants of the prenyltransferase α domain. Crystal structures of the H786A, F760A, S723Y, S723F, and S723T variants have been determined at resolutions of 2.80, 3.10, 3.15, 2.65, and 2.00 Å, respectively. The substitution of S723 with bulky aromatic amino acids in the S723Y and S723F variants constricts the active site, thereby directing the formation of the shorter C15 isoprenoid, farnesyl diphosphate. While the S723T substitution only subtly alters enzyme kinetics and does not compromise GGPP biosynthesis, the crystal structure of this variant reveals a nonproductive binding mode for IPP that likely accounts for substrate inhibition at high concentrations. Finally, mutagenesis of the catalytic general acid in the class II cyclase domain, D313A, significantly compromises prenyltransferase activity. This result suggests molecular communication between the prenyltransferase and cyclase domains despite their distant connection by a flexible polypeptide linker.

The Invisible Danger of Transferring Toxins with Bunker Gear: A Theory-Based Intervention to Increase Postfire Decontamination to Reduce Cancer Risk in Firefighters.

Studies show significant association between cancer risk and being a firefighter. After exposure to even routine firefighting, firefighters' bunker gear often contains carcinogens that may be absorbed through contact or inhaled through off-gassing, thereby increasing cancer risk. Awareness of increased cancer risk has given rise to policies and practices focused on gear cleaning and decontamination processes to decrease risk; yet, these efforts are in their infancy and tend to be somewhat piecemeal in nature. This study presents a theory-based communication intervention tailored to the unique context of high-reliability organizations (HROs). The intervention focused on increasing postfire decontamination behaviors to reduce exposure to carcinogens among firefighters. Results of the intervention across 14 fire stations from 2 fire departments in South Florida show significant increases in attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy, decreases in perceived barriers, and increased intention to engage in decontamination processes. While the intervention was highly successful in both fire departments, there were significant differences in between organizations; attitudes perceived norms, and barriers to gear cleaning remained significantly different. This highlights the need to examine the specific context of the organization in designing interventions. In line with previous research on HROs, regression models showed that norms and self-efficacy are the strongest predictors of current behavior. However, postintervention, attitudes emerge as the strongest predictor of future behavior. The results of this study provide valuable evidence for utilizing theoretical elements in message design for interventions in HROs, and of the importance of designing communication for specific sites of intervention.