Rapid-reaction kinetics of the butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase component of the electron-bifurcating crotonyl-CoA-dependent NADH:ferredoxin oxidoreductase from Megasphaera elsdenii.

We have investigated the equilibrium properties and rapid-reaction kinetics of the isolated butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (bcd) component of the electron-bifurcating crotonyl-CoA-dependent NADH:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (EtfAB-bcd) from Megasphaera elsdenii. We find that a neutral FADH• semiquinone accumulates transiently during both reduction with sodium dithionite and with NADH in the presence of catalytic concentrations of EtfAB. In both cases full reduction of bcd to the hydroquinone is eventually observed, but the accumulation of FADH• indicates that a substantial portion of reduction occurs in sequential one-electron processes rather than a single two-electron event. In rapid-reaction experiments following the reaction of reduced bcd with crotonyl-CoA and oxidized bcd with butyryl-CoA, long-wavelength-absorbing intermediates are observed that are assigned to bcdred:crotonyl-CoA and bcdox:butyryl-CoA charge-transfer complexes, demonstrating their kinetic competence in the course of the reaction. In the presence of crotonyl-CoA there is an accumulation of semiquinone that is unequivocally the anionic FAD•- rather than the neutral FADH• seen in the absence of substrate, indicating that binding of substrate/product results in ionization of the bcd semiquinone. In addition to fully characterizing the rapid-reaction kinetics of both the oxidative and reductive half-reactions, our results demonstrate that one-electron processes play an important role in the reduction of bcd in EtfAB-bcd.

Modulations of the reduction potentials of flavin-based electron bifurcation complexes and semiquinone stabilities are key to control directional electron flow.

The flavin-based electron bifurcation (FBEB) system from Acidaminococcus fermentans is composed of the electron transfer flavoprotein (EtfAB) and butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (Bcd). α-FAD binds to domain II of the A-subunit of EtfAB, ß-FAD to the B-subunit of EtfAB and δ-FAD to Bcd. NADH reduces ß-FAD to ß-FADH- , which bifurcates one electron to the high potential α-FAD•- semiquinone followed by the other to the low potential ferredoxin (Fd). As deduced from crystal structures, upon interaction of EtfAB with Bcd, the formed α-FADH- approaches δ-FAD by rotation of domain II, yielding δ-FAD•- . Repetition of this process leads to a second reduced ferredoxin (Fd- ) and δ-FADH- , which reduces crotonyl-CoA to butyryl-CoA. In this study, we measured the redox properties of the components EtfAB, EtfaB (Etf without α-FAD), Bcd, and Fd, as well as of the complexes EtfaB:Bcd, EtfAB:Bcd, EtfaB:Fd, and EftAB:Fd. In agreement with the structural studies, we have shown for the first time that the interaction of EtfAB with Bcd drastically decreases the midpoint reduction potential of α-FAD to be within the same range of that of ß-FAD and to destabilize the semiquinone of α-FAD. This finding clearly explains that these interactions facilitate the passing of electrons from ß-FADH- via α-FAD•- to the final electron acceptor δ-FAD•- on Bcd. The interactions modulate the semiquinone stability of δ-FAD in an opposite way by having a greater semiquinone stability than in free Bcd.

The semiquinone swing in the bifurcating electron transferring flavoprotein/butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase complex from Clostridium difficile.

The electron transferring flavoprotein/butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (EtfAB/Bcd) catalyzes the reduction of one crotonyl-CoA and two ferredoxins by two NADH within a flavin-based electron-bifurcating process. Here we report on the X-ray structure of the Clostridium difficile (EtfAB/Bcd)4 complex in the dehydrogenase-conducting D-state, α-FAD (bound to domain II of EtfA) and δ-FAD (bound to Bcd) being 8 Å apart. Superimposing Acidaminococcus fermentans EtfAB onto C. difficile EtfAB/Bcd reveals a rotation of domain II of nearly 80°. Further rotation by 10° brings EtfAB into the bifurcating B-state, α-FAD and ß-FAD (bound to EtfB) being 14 Å apart. This dual binding mode of domain II, substantiated by mutational studies, resembles findings in non-bifurcating EtfAB/acyl-CoA dehydrogenase complexes. In our proposed mechanism, NADH reduces ß-FAD, which bifurcates. One electron goes to ferredoxin and one to α-FAD, which swings over to reduce δ-FAD to the semiquinone. Repetition affords a second reduced ferredoxin and δ-FADH-, which reduces crotonyl-CoA.

Structure and characterization of a NAD(P)H-dependent carbonyl reductase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

To investigate the function of the pa4079 gene from the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, we determined its crystal structure and confirmed it to be a NAD(P)-dependent short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase. Structural similarity and activity for a broad range of substrates indicate that PA4079 functions as a carbonyl reductase. Comparison of apo- and holo-PA4079 shows that NADP stabilizes the active site specificity loop, and small molecule binding induces rotation of the Tyr183 side chain by approximately 90° out of the active site. Quantitative real-time PCR results show that pa4079 maintains high expression levels during antibiotic exposure. This work provides a starting point for understanding substrate recognition and selectivity by PA4079, as well as its possible reduction of antimicrobial drugs. DATABASE: Structural data are available in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) under the following accession numbers: apo PA4079 (condition I), 5WQM; apo PA4079 (condition II), 5WQN; PA4079 + NADP (condition I), 5WQO; PA4079 + NADP (condition II), 5WQP.

Reduction of ferredoxin or oxygen by flavin-based electron bifurcation in Megasphaera elsdenii.

Over 50 years ago, it was reported that, in the anaerobic rumen bacterium Megasphaera elsdenii, the reduction of crotonyl-CoA to butyryl-CoA by NADH involved an electron transferring flavoprotein (Etf) as mediator [Baldwin RL, Milligan LP (1964) Biochim Biophys Acta 92, 421-432]. Purification and spectroscopic characterization revealed that this Etf contained 2 FAD, whereas, in the Etfs from aerobic and facultative bacteria, one FAD is replaced by AMP. Recently we detected a similar system in the related anaerobe Acidaminococcus fermentans that differed in the requirement of additional ferredoxin as electron acceptor. The whole process was established as flavin-based electron bifurcation in which the exergonic reduction of crotonyl-CoA by NADH mediated by Etf + butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (Bcd) was coupled to the endergonic reduction of ferredoxin also by NADH. In the present study, we demonstrate that, under anaerobic conditions, Etf + Bcd from M. elsdenii bifurcate as efficiently as Etf + Bcd from A. fermentans. Under the aerobic conditions used in the study by Baldwin and Milligan and in the presence of catalytic amounts of crotonyl-CoA or butyryl-CoA, however, Etf + Bcd act as NADH oxidase producing superoxide and H2 O2 , whereas ferredoxin is not required. We hypothesize that, during bifurcation, oxygen replaces ferredoxin to yield superoxide. In addition, the formed butyryl-CoA is re-oxidized by a second oxygen molecule to crotonyl-CoA, resulting in a stoichiometry of 2 NADH consumed and 2 H2 O2 formed. As a result of the production of reactive oxygen species, electron bifurcation can be regarded as an Achilles' heel of anaerobes when exposed to air.

Identification and characterization of a short-chain acyl dehydrogenase from Klebsiella pneumoniae and its application for high-level production of L-2,3-butanediol.

Klebsiella pneumoniae synthesize large amounts of L-2,3-butanediol (L-2,3-BD), but the underlying mechanism has been unknown. In this study, we provide the first identification and characterization of an L-2,3-BD dehydrogenase from K. pneumoniae, demonstrating its reductive activities toward diacetyl and acetoin, and oxidative activity toward L-2,3-BD. Optimum pH, temperature, and kinetics determined for reductive and oxidative reactions support the preferential production of 2,3-BD during cell growth. Synthesis of L-2,3-BD was remarkably enhanced by increasing gene dosage, reaching levels that, to the best of our knowledge, are the highest achieved to date.

Studies on the mechanism of electron bifurcation catalyzed by electron transferring flavoprotein (Etf) and butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (Bcd) of Acidaminococcus fermentans.

Electron bifurcation is a fundamental strategy of energy coupling originally discovered in the Q-cycle of many organisms. Recently a flavin-based electron bifurcation has been detected in anaerobes, first in clostridia and later in acetogens and methanogens. It enables anaerobic bacteria and archaea to reduce the low-potential [4Fe-4S] clusters of ferredoxin, which increases the efficiency of the substrate level and electron transport phosphorylations. Here we characterize the bifurcating electron transferring flavoprotein (EtfAf) and butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (BcdAf) of Acidaminococcus fermentans, which couple the exergonic reduction of crotonyl-CoA to butyryl-CoA to the endergonic reduction of ferredoxin both with NADH. EtfAf contains one FAD (α-FAD) in subunit α and a second FAD (ß-FAD) in subunit ß. The distance between the two isoalloxazine rings is 18 Å. The EtfAf-NAD(+) complex structure revealed ß-FAD as acceptor of the hydride of NADH. The formed ß-FADH(-) is considered as the bifurcating electron donor. As a result of a domain movement, α-FAD is able to approach ß-FADH(-) by about 4 Å and to take up one electron yielding a stable anionic semiquinone, α-FAD, which donates this electron further to Dh-FAD of BcdAf after a second domain movement. The remaining non-stabilized neutral semiquinone, ß-FADH(•), immediately reduces ferredoxin. Repetition of this process affords a second reduced ferredoxin and Dh-FADH(-) that converts crotonyl-CoA to butyryl-CoA.

Classification and nomenclature of the superfamily of short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs).

The short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs) constitute one of the largest protein superfamilies known today. The members are distantly related with typically 20-30% residue identity in pair-wise comparisons. Still, all hitherto structurally known SDRs present a common three-dimensional structure consisting of a Rossmann fold with a parallel beta sheet flanked by three helices on each side. Using hidden Markov models (HMMs), we have developed a semi-automated subclassification system for this huge family. Currently, 75% of all SDR forms have been assigned to one of the 464 families totalling 122,940 proteins. There are 47 human SDR families, corresponding to 75 genes. Most human SDR families (35 families) have only one gene, while 12 have between 2 and 8 genes. For more than half of the human SDR families, the three-dimensional fold is known. The number of SDR members increases considerably every year, but the number of SDR families now starts to converge. The classification method has paved the ground for a sustainable and expandable nomenclature system. Information on the SDR superfamily is continuously updated at http://sdr-enzymes.org/.

The atypical short-chain dehydrogenases HCF173 and HCF244 are jointly involved in translational initiation of the psbA mRNA of Arabidopsis.

The related proteins D1 and D2 together build up the photosystem II reaction center. Synthesis of D1 (PsbA) is highly regulated in all photosynthetic organisms. The mechanisms and specific protein factors involved in controlled expression of the psbA gene in higher plants are highly elusive. Here, we report on the identification of a chloroplast-located protein, HCF244 (for high chlorophyll fluorescence244), which is essentially required for translational initiation of the psbA messenger RNA in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The factor is highly conserved between land plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. HCF244 was identified by coexpression analysis of HCF173, which encodes a protein that is also necessary for psbA translational initiation and in addition for stabilization of this messenger RNA. Phenotypic characterization of the mutants hcf244 and hcf173 suggests that the corresponding proteins operate cooperatively during psbA translation. Immunolocalization studies detected the majority of the two proteins at the thylakoid membrane. Both HCF244 and HCF173 are members of the atypical short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily, a modified group, which has lost enzyme activity but acquires new functions in the metabolism of the cell.

Cofactors and metabolites as potential stabilizers of mitochondrial acyl-CoA dehydrogenases.

Protein misfolding is a hallmark of a number of metabolic diseases, in which fatty acid oxidation defects are included. The latter result from genetic deficiencies in transport proteins and enzymes of the mitochondrial ß-oxidation, and milder disease conditions frequently result from conformational destabilization and decreased enzymatic function of the affected proteins. Small molecules which have the ability to raise the functional levels of the affected protein above a certain disease threshold are thus valuable tools for effective drug design. In this work we have investigated the effect of mitochondrial cofactors and metabolites as potential stabilizers in two ß-oxidation acyl-CoA dehydrogenases: short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and the medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase as well as glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase, which is involved in lysine and tryptophan metabolism. We found that near physiological concentrations (low micromolar) of FAD resulted in a spectacular enhancement of the thermal stabilities of these enzymes and prevented enzymatic activity loss during a 1h incubation at 40°C. A clear effect of the respective substrate, which was additive to that of the FAD effect, was also observed for short- and medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase but not for glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase. In conclusion, riboflavin may be beneficial during feverish crises in patients with short- and medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase as well as in glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiencies, and treatment with substrate analogs to butyryl- and octanoyl-CoAs could theoretically enhance enzyme activity for some enzyme proteins with inherited folding difficulties.

Toxic response caused by a misfolding variant of the mitochondrial protein short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase.

BACKGROUND: Variations in the gene ACADS, encoding the mitochondrial protein short-chain acyl CoA-dehydrogenase (SCAD), have been observed in individuals with clinical symptoms. The phenotype of SCAD deficiency (SCADD) is very heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic to severe, without a clear genotype-phenotype correlation, which suggests a multifactorial disorder. The pathophysiological relevance of the genetic variations in the SCAD gene is therefore disputed, and has not yet been elucidated, which is an important step in the investigation of SCADD etiology. AIM: To determine whether the disease-associated misfolding variant of SCAD protein, p.Arg107Cys, disturbs mitochondrial function. METHODS: We have developed a cell model system, stably expressing either the SCAD wild-type protein or the misfolding SCAD variant protein, p.Arg107Cys (c.319 C > T). The model system was used for investigation of SCAD with respect to expression, degree of misfolding, and enzymatic SCAD activity. Furthermore, cell proliferation and expression of selected stress response genes were investigated as well as proteomic analysis of mitochondria-enriched extracts in order to study the consequences of p.Arg107Cys protein expression using a global approach. CONCLUSIONS: We found that expression of the p.Arg107Cys variant SCAD protein gives rise to inactive misfolded protein species, eliciting a mild toxic response manifested though a decreased proliferation rate and oxidative stress, as shown by an increased demand for the mitochondrial antioxidant SOD2. In addition, we found markers of apoptotic activity in the p.Arg107Cys expressing cells, which points to a possible pathophysiological role of this variant protein.

Superfamilies SDR and MDR: from early ancestry to present forms. Emergence of three lines, a Zn-metalloenzyme, and distinct variabilities.

Two large gene and protein superfamilies, SDR and MDR (short- and medium-chain dehydrogenases/reductases), were originally defined from analysis of alcohol and polyol dehydrogenases. The superfamilies contain minimally 82 and 25 genes, respectively, in humans, minimally 324 and 86 enzyme families when known lines in other organisms are also included, and over 47,000 and 15,000 variants in existing sequence data bank entries. SDR enzymes have one-domain subunits without metal and MDR two-domain subunits without or with zinc, and these three lines appear to have emerged in that order from the universal cellular ancestor. This is compatible with their molecular architectures, present multiplicity, and overall distribution in the kingdoms of life, with SDR also of viral occurrence. An MDR-zinc, when present, is often, but not always, catalytic. It appears also to have a structural role in inter-domain interactions, coenzyme binding and substrate pocket formation, as supported by domain variability ratios and ligand positions. Differences among structural and catalytic zinc ions may be relative and involve several states. Combined, the comparisons trace evolutionary properties of huge superfamilies, with partially redundant enzymes in cellular redox functions.

Misfolding of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase leads to mitochondrial fission and oxidative stress.

Short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD) is a rare inherited disorder of the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids. Patients with SCADD present mainly with symptoms of neuromuscular character. In order to investigate factors involved in the pathogenesis, we studied a disease-associated variant of the SCAD protein (p.Arg83Cys, c.319C>T), which is known to compromise SCAD protein folding. We investigated the consequences of overexpressing the misfolded mitochondrial protein, and thus determined whether the misfolded p.Arg83Cys SCAD proteins can elicit a toxic reaction. Human astrocytes were transiently transfected with either wild-type or p.Arg83Cys encoding cDNA, and analyzed for insoluble proteins/aggregate-formation, alterations in mitochondrial morphology, and for the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria. The majority of cells overexpressing the p.Arg83Cys SCAD variant protein presented with an altered mitochondrial morphology of a grain-like structure, whereas the majority of the cells overexpressing wild-type SCAD presented with a normal thread-like mitochondrial reticulum. We found this grain-like structure to be associated with an increased amount of ROS. The mitochondrial morphology change was partly alleviated by addition of the mitochondrial targeted antioxidant MitoQ, indicating a ROS-induced mitochondrial fission. We therefore propose that SCAD misfolding leads to production of ROS, which in turn leads to fission and a grain-like structure of the mitochondrial reticulum. This finding indicates a toxic response elicited by misfolded p.Arg83Cys SCAD proteins.

Probing stereoselectivity and pro-chirality of hydride transfer during short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase activity: a combined quantitative 2H NMR and computational approach.

Different members of the alcohol oxidoreductase family can transfer the hydride of NAD(P)H to either the re- or the si-face of the substrate. The enantioselectivity of transfer is very variable, even for a range of substrates reduced by the same enzyme. Exploiting quantitative isotopic (2)H NMR to measure the transfer of (2)H from NAD(P)(2)H to ethanol, a range of enantiomeric excess between 0.38 and 0.98, depending on the origin of the enzyme and the nature of the cofactor, has been determined. Critically, in no case was only (R)-[1-(2)H]ethanol or (S)-[1-(2)H]ethanol obtained. By calculating the relative energies of the active site models for hydride transfer to the re- or si-face of short-chain aldehydes by alcohol dehydrogenase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus brevis, it is shown that the differences in the energy of the systems when the substrate is positioned with the alkyl group in one or the other pocket of the active site could play a role in determining stereoselectivity. These experiments help to provide insight into structural features that influence the potential catalytic flexibility of different alcohol dehydrogenase activities.

The ACADS gene variation spectrum in 114 patients with short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) deficiency is dominated by missense variations leading to protein misfolding at the cellular level.

Short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) deficiency is an inherited disorder of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation associated with variations in the ACADS gene and variable clinical symptoms. In addition to rare ACADS inactivating variations, two common variations, c.511C > T (p.Arg171Trp) and c.625G > A (p.Gly209Ser), have been identified in patients, but these are also present in up to 14% of normal populations leading to questions of their clinical relevance. The common variant alleles encode proteins with nearly normal enzymatic activity at physiological conditions in vitro. SCAD enzyme function, however, is impaired at increased temperature and the tendency to misfold increases under conditions of cellular stress. The present study examines misfolding of variant SCAD proteins identified in patients with SCAD deficiency. Analysis of the ACADS gene in 114 patients revealed 29 variations, 26 missense, one start codon, and two stop codon variations. In vitro import studies of variant SCAD proteins in isolated mitochondria from SCAD deficient (SCAD-/-) mice demonstrated an increased tendency of the abnormal proteins to misfold and aggregate compared to the wild-type, a phenomenon that often leads to gain-of-function cellular phenotypes. However, no correlation was found between the clinical phenotype and the degree of SCAD dysfunction. We propose that SCAD deficiency should be considered as a disorder of protein folding that can lead to clinical disease in combination with other genetic and environmental factors.

Coupled ferredoxin and crotonyl coenzyme A (CoA) reduction with NADH catalyzed by the butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase/Etf complex from Clostridium kluyveri.

Cell extracts of butyrate-forming clostridia have been shown to catalyze acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA)- and ferredoxin-dependent formation of H2 from NADH. It has been proposed that these bacteria contain an NADH:ferredoxin oxidoreductase which is allosterically regulated by acetyl-CoA. We report here that ferredoxin reduction with NADH in cell extracts from Clostridium kluyveri is catalyzed by the butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase/Etf complex and that the acetyl-CoA dependence previously observed is due to the fact that the cell extracts catalyze the reduction of acetyl-CoA with NADH via crotonyl-CoA to butyryl-CoA. The cytoplasmic butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase complex was purified and is shown to couple the endergonic reduction of ferredoxin (E0' = -410 mV) with NADH (E0' = -320 mV) to the exergonic reduction of crotonyl-CoA to butyryl-CoA (E0' = -10 mV) with NADH. The stoichiometry of the fully coupled reaction is extrapolated to be as follows: 2 NADH + 1 oxidized ferredoxin + 1 crotonyl-CoA = 2 NAD+ + 1 ferredoxin reduced by two electrons + 1 butyryl-CoA. The implications of this finding for the energy metabolism of butyrate-forming anaerobes are discussed in the accompanying paper.

Functional analysis of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase catalytic residue mutants using surface plasmon resonance and circular dichroism.

The acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACDs) are a family of flavoenzymes involved in the metabolism of fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids. The ACDs share a similar structure and a common dehydrogenation mechanism in which a catalytic glutamate extracts a proton from an acyl-CoA substrate. The resulting charge-transfer complex subsequently passes electrons to electron-transferring flavoprotein (ETF). We previously generated catalytic residue mutants of human short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) and isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD) that were difficult to characterize by traditional methods. In the present study, we developed a novel surface plasmon resonance-based assay to measure substrate binding to these mutants. Replacement of the catalytic glutamate in either SCAD or IVD with glycine resulted in a several-fold reduction in affinity for substrate. Circular dichroism studies substantiated our earlier findings that both SCAD E368G and IVD E254G are unable to form a charge-transfer complex with substrate/product. The CD spectra of IVD E254G also indicated a perturbation of the flavin environment, a finding supported by molecular modeling that predicted a shift in the conformation of a conserved tryptophan that lies in close proximity to the flavin. Lastly, competitive inhibition studies using the ETF fluorescence reduction assay suggested that SCAD E368G and IVD E254G do not effectively compete with the wild-type enzymes for the physiological electron acceptor ETF.

Biochemical and electrochemical characterization of two variant human short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenases.

Short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (hSCAD) catalyzes the first matrix step in the mitochondrial beta-oxidation cycle with optimal activity toward butyryl- and hexanoyl-CoA. Two common variants of this enzyme encoding G185S and R147W substitutions have been identified at an increased frequency compared to the general population in patients with a wide variety of clinical problems, but functional studies of the purified mutant enzymes have shown only modestly changed kinetic properties. Moreover, both amino acid residues are located quite far from the catalytic pocket and the essential FAD cofactor. To clarify the potential relationship of these variants to clinical disease, we have further investigated their thermodynamic properties using spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. Purified R147W hSCAD exhibited almost identical physical and redox properties to wild-type but only half of the specific activity and substrate activation shifts observed in wild-type enzyme. In contrast, the G185S mutant proved to have impairments of both its kinetic and electron transfer properties. Spectroelectrochemical studies reveal that G185S binding to the substrate/product couple produces an enzyme potential shift of only +88 mV, which is not enough to make the reaction thermodynamically favorable. For wild-type hSCAD, this barrier is overcome by a negative shift in the substrate/product couple midpoint potential, but in G185S this activation was not observed. When G185S was substrate bound, the midpoint potential of the enzyme actually shifted more negative. These results provide valuable insight into the mechanistic basis for dysfunction of the common variant hSCADs and demonstrate that mutations, regardless of their position in the protein structure, can have a large impact on the redox properties of the enzyme.

Thermodynamic regulation of human short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase by substrate and product binding.

Human short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (hSCAD) catalyzes the first matrix step in the mitochondrial beta-oxidation cycle for substrates with four and six carbons. Previous studies have shown that the act of substrate/product binding induces a large enzyme potential shift in acyl-CoA dehydrogenases. The objective of this work was to examine the thermodynamic regulation of this process through direct characterization of the electrochemical properties of hSCAD using spectroelectrochemical methodology. A large amount of substrate activation was observed in the enzymatic reaction of hSCAD (+33 mV), the greatest magnitude measured in any acyl-CoA dehydrogenase to date. To examine the role of the substrate as well as the product in electron transfer by hSCAD, a catalytic base mutation (E368Q) was constructed. The E368Q mutation inactivates the reductive and oxidative pathways such that the individual effects of substrate and product binding on the redox potential can be investigated. Optimal substrate (butyryl-CoA) was seen to shift the flavin redox potential slightly more positive (+38 mV) than did optimal product (crotonyl-CoA) (+31 mV), a finding opposite of that observed in another short-chain enzyme, bacterial SCAD. These results indicate that substrate redox activation occurs in hSCAD leading to a large enzyme midpoint potential shift. Substrate binding in hSCAD appears to make a larger contribution than does product to thermodynamic modulation.

The protein coded by the PP2216 gene of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase that oxidises only short-chain aliphatic substrates.

A gene (PP2216) that codes for an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase was cloned from Pseudomonas putida strain KT2240 and over-expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant enzyme purified and characterised. The enzyme is tetrameric with one FAD per subunit of molecular mass 40,500 Da. An anaerobic titration with sodium dithionite showed that the enzyme accepts two electrons. A similar titration with butyryl-CoA showed that reduction by this substrate was incomplete with 4.5 mol butyryl-CoA added per mol enzyme FAD; the equilibrium was used to calculate that the oxidation-reduction potential of the enzyme at pH 7 and 25 degrees C is 5+/-5 mV versus the standard hydrogen electrode. The enzyme shows catalytic activity with butyryl-CoA, valeryl-CoA and hexanoyl-CoA, and very low activity with heptanoyl-CoA and octanoyl-CoA; it fails to oxidise propionyl-CoA. These properties resemble those of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenases from other sources. The enzyme is inactive with the CoA derivatives of all phenylalkanoates that were tested (side chains 3-8 carbon atoms) indicating that in contrast to an earlier suggestion, the enzyme is not involved in the beta-oxidation of aromatic compounds.