The crystal structure of mycothiol disulfide reductase (Mtr) provides mechanistic insight into the specific low-molecular-weight thiol reductase activity of Actinobacteria.

Low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols are involved in many processes in all organisms, playing a protective role against reactive species, heavy metals, toxins and antibiotics. Actinobacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, use the LMW thiol mycothiol (MSH) to buffer the intracellular redox environment. The NADPH-dependent FAD-containing oxidoreductase mycothiol disulfide reductase (Mtr) is known to reduce oxidized mycothiol disulfide (MSSM) to MSH, which is crucial to maintain the cellular redox balance. In this work, the first crystal structures of Mtr are presented, expanding the structural knowledge and understanding of LMW thiol reductases. The structural analyses and docking calculations provide insight into the nature of Mtrs, with regard to the binding and reduction of the MSSM substrate, in the context of related oxidoreductases. The putative binding site for MSSM suggests a similar binding to that described for the homologous glutathione reductase and its respective substrate glutathione disulfide, but with distinct structural differences shaped to fit the bulkier MSSM substrate, assigning Mtrs as uniquely functioning reductases. As MSH has been acknowledged as an attractive antitubercular target, the structural findings presented in this work may contribute towards future antituberculosis drug development.

Functional Diversity of Homologous Oxidoreductases-Tuning of Substrate Specificity by a FAD-Stacking Residue for Iron Acquisition and Flavodoxin Reduction.

Although bacterial thioredoxin reductase-like ferredoxin/flavodoxin NAD(P)+ oxidoreductases (FNRs) are similar in terms of primary sequences and structures, they participate in diverse biological processes by catalyzing a range of different redox reactions. Many of the reactions are critical for the growth, survival of, and infection by pathogens, and insight into the structural basis for substrate preference, specificity, and reaction kinetics is crucial for the detailed understanding of these redox pathways. Bacillus cereus (Bc) encodes three FNR paralogs, two of which have assigned distinct biological functions in bacillithiol disulfide reduction and flavodoxin (Fld) reduction. Bc FNR2, the endogenous reductase of the Fld-like protein NrdI, belongs to a distinct phylogenetic cluster of homologous oxidoreductases containing a conserved His residue stacking the FAD cofactor. In this study, we have assigned a function to FNR1, in which the His residue is replaced by a conserved Val, in the reduction of the heme-degrading monooxygenase IsdG, ultimately facilitating the release of iron in an important iron acquisition pathway. The Bc IsdG structure was solved, and IsdG-FNR1 interactions were proposed through protein-protein docking. Mutational studies and bioinformatics analyses confirmed the importance of the conserved FAD-stacking residues on the respective reaction rates, proposing a division of FNRs into four functionally unique sequence similarity clusters likely related to the nature of this residue.

Thioredoxin reductase from Bacillus cereus exhibits distinct reduction and NADPH-binding properties.

Low-molecular-weight (low Mr ) thioredoxin reductases (TrxRs) are homodimeric NADPH-dependent dithiol flavoenzymes that reduce thioredoxins (Trxs) or Trx-like proteins involved in the activation networks of enzymes, such as the bacterial class Ib ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). During the last few decades, TrxR-like ferredoxin/flavodoxin NADP+ oxidoreductases (FNRs) have been discovered and characterized in several types of bacteria, including those not encoding the canonical plant-type FNR. In Bacillus cereus, a TrxR-like FNR has been shown to reduce the flavodoxin-like protein NrdI in the activation of class Ib RNR. However, some species only encode TrxR and lack the homologous TrxR-like FNR. Due to the structural similarity between TrxRs and TrxR-like FNRs, as well as variations in their occurrence in different microorganisms, we hypothesized that low Mr TrxR may be able to replace TrxR-like FNR in, for example, the reduction of NrdI. In this study, characterization of TrxR from B. cereus has revealed a weak FNR activity toward NrdI reduction. Additionally, the crystal structure shows that only one out of two binding sites of the B. cereus TrxR homodimer is occupied with NADPH, indicating a possible asymmetric co-substrate binding in TrxR.

Overview of structurally homologous flavoprotein oxidoreductases containing the low Mr thioredoxin reductase-like fold - A functionally diverse group.

Structural studies show that enzymes have a limited number of unique folds, although structurally related enzymes have evolved to perform a large variety of functions. In this review, we have focused on enzymes containing the low molecular weight thioredoxin reductase (low Mr TrxR) fold. This fold consists of two domains, both containing a three-layer ßßα sandwich Rossmann-like fold, serving as flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and, in most cases, pyridine nucleotide (NAD(P)H) binding-domains. Based on a search of the Protein Data Bank for all published structures containing the low Mr TrxR-like fold, we here present a comprehensive overview of enzymes with this structural architecture. These range from TrxR-like ferredoxin/flavodoxin NAD(P)+ oxidoreductases, through glutathione reductase, to NADH peroxidase. Some enzymes are solely composed of the low Mr TrxR-like fold, while others contain one or two additional domains. In this review, we give a detailed description of selected enzymes containing only the low Mr TrxR-like fold, however, catalyzing a diversity of chemical reactions. Our overview of this structurally similar, yet functionally distinct group of flavoprotein oxidoreductases highlights the fascinating and increasing number of studies describing the diversity among these enzymes, especially during the last decade(s).

The Crystal Structures of Bacillithiol Disulfide Reductase Bdr (YpdA) Provide Structural and Functional Insight into a New Type of FAD-Containing NADPH-Dependent Oxidoreductase.

Low G+C Gram-positive Firmicutes, such as the clinically important pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, use the low-molecular weight thiol bacillithiol (BSH) as a defense mechanism to buffer the intracellular redox environment and counteract oxidative stress encountered by human neutrophils during infections. The protein YpdA has recently been shown to function as an essential NADPH-dependent reductase of oxidized bacillithiol disulfide (BSSB) resulting from stress responses and is crucial for maintaining the reduced pool of BSH and cellular redox balance. In this work, we present the first crystallographic structures of YpdAs, namely, those from S. aureus and B. cereus. Our analyses reveal a uniquely organized biological tetramer; however, the structure of the monomeric subunit is highly similar to those of other flavoprotein disulfide reductases. The absence of a redox active cysteine in the vicinity of the FAD isoalloxazine ring implies a new direct disulfide reduction mechanism, which is backed by the presence of a potentially gated channel, serving as a putative binding site for BSSB in the proximity of the FAD cofactor. We also report enzymatic activities for both YpdAs, which along with the structures presented in this work provide important structural and functional insight into a new class of FAD-containing NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases, related to the emerging fight against pathogenic bacteria.

A Research-inspired biochemistry laboratory module-combining expression, purification, crystallization, structure-solving, and characterization of a flavodoxin-like protein.

Many laboratory courses consist of short and seemingly unconnected individual laboratory exercises. To increase the course consistency, relevance, and student engagement, we have developed a research-inspired and project-based module, "From Gene to Structure and Function". This 2.5-week full-day biochemistry and structural biology module covers protein expression, purification, structure solving, and characterization. The module is centered around the flavodoxin-like protein NrdI, involved in the activation of the bacterial ribonucleotide reductase enzyme system. Through an in-depth focus on one specific protein, the students will learn the basic laboratory skills needed in order to generate a broader knowledge and breadth within the field. With respect to generic skills, the students report their findings as a scientific article, with the aim to learn to present concise research results and write scientific papers. The current research-inspired project has the potential of being further developed into a more discovery-driven project and extended to include other molecular biological techniques or biochemical/biophysical characterizations. In student evaluations, this research-inspired laboratory course has received very high ratings and been highly appreciated, where the students have gained research experience for more independent future work in the laboratory. © 2019 The Authors. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(3):318-332, 2019.

Importance of Val567 on heme environment and substrate recognition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase.

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by mammalian nitric oxide synthases (mNOSs) is an important mediator in a variety of physiological functions. Crystal structures of mNOSs have shown strong conservation of the active-site residue Val567 (numbering for rat neuronal NOS, nNOS). NOS-like proteins have been identified in several bacterial pathogens, and these display striking sequence identity to the oxygenase domain of mNOS (NOSoxy), with the exception of a Val to Ile mutation at the active site. Preliminary studies have highlighted the importance of this Val residue in NO-binding, substrate recognition, and oxidation in mNOSs. To further elucidate the role of this valine in substrate and substrate analogue recognition, we generated five Val567 mutants of the oxygenase domain of the neuronal NOS (nNOSoxy) and used UV-visible and EPR spectroscopy to investigate the effects of these mutations on the heme distal environment, the stability of the heme-FeII-CO complexes, and the binding of a series of substrate analogues. Our results are consistent with Val567 playing an important role in preserving the integrity of the active site for substrate binding, stability of heme-bound gaseous ligands, and potential NO production.

The Characterization of Different Flavodoxin Reductase-Flavodoxin (FNR-Fld) Interactions Reveals an Efficient FNR-Fld Redox Pair and Identifies a Novel FNR Subclass.

Flavodoxins (Flds) are small, bacterial proteins that transfer electrons to various redox enzymes. Flavodoxins are reduced by ferredoxin/flavodoxin NADP+ oxidoreductases (FNRs), but little is known of the FNR-Fld interaction. Here, we compare the interactions of two flavodoxins (Fld1-2), one flavodoxin-like protein (NrdI), and three different thioredoxin reductase (TrxR)-like FNRs (FNR1-3), all from Bacillus cereus. Steady-state kinetics shows that the FNR2-Fld2 electron transfer pair is particularly efficient, and redox potential measurements also indicate that this is the most favorable electron donor/acceptor pair. Furthermore, crystal structures of FNR1 and FNR2 show that the proteins have crystallized in different conformations, a closed and an open conformation, respectively. We suggest that a large-scale conformational rearrangement takes place during the FNR catalytic cycle to allow for the binding and reduction of the Fld and, subsequently, the re-reduction of the FNR by NADPH. Finally, inspection of the residues surrounding the FAD cofactor in the FNR active site shows that a key isoalloxazine ring-stacking residue is different in FNR1 and FNR2, which could explain the large difference in catalytic efficiency between the two FNRs. To date, all of the characterized TrxR-like FNRs have a residue with aromatic character stacking against the FAD isoalloxazine ring, and this has been thought to be a conserved feature of this class of FNRs. FNR1, however, has a valine in this position. Bioinformatic analysis shows that the TrxR-like FNRs can actually be divided into two groups, one group where the FAD-stacking residue has aromatic character and another group where it is valine.

High-resolution crystal structures reveal a mixture of conformers of the Gly61-Asp62 peptide bond in an oxidized flavodoxin from Bacillus cereus.

Flavodoxins (Flds) are small proteins that shuttle electrons in a range of reactions in microorganisms. Flds contain a redox-active cofactor, a flavin mononucleotide (FMN), and it is well established that when Flds are reduced by one electron, a peptide bond close to the FMN isoalloxazine ring flips to form a new hydrogen bond with the FMN N5H, stabilizing the one-electron reduced state. Here, we present high-resolution crystal structures of Flavodoxin 1 from Bacillus cereus in both the oxidized (ox) and one-electron reduced (semiquinone, sq) state. We observe a mixture of conformers in the oxidized state; a 50:50 distribution between the established oxidized conformation where the peptide bond is pointing away from the flavin, and a conformation where the peptide bond is pointing toward the flavin, approximating the conformation in the semiquinone state. We use single-crystal spectroscopy to demonstrate that the mixture of conformers is not caused by radiation damage to the crystal. This is the first time that such a mixture of conformers is reported in a wild-type Fld. We therefore carried out a survey of published Fld structures, which show that several proteins have a pronounced conformational flexibility of this peptide bond. The degree of flexibility seems to be modulated by the presence, or absence, of stabilizing interactions between the peptide bond carbonyl and its surrounding amino acids. We hypothesize that the degree of conformational flexibility will affect the Fld ox/sq redox potential.

Measurement of FNR-NrdI Interaction by Microscale Thermophoresis (MST).

This protocol describes how to measure protein-protein interactions by microscale thermophoresis (MST) using the MonolithTM NT.115 instrument (NanoTemper). We have used the protocol to determine the binding affinities between three different flavodoxin reductases (FNRs) and a flavodoxin-like protein, NrdI, from Bacillus cereus ( Lofstad et al., 2016 ). NrdI is essential in the activation of the manganese-bound form of the class Ib ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) system. RNRs, in turn, are the only source of the de novo synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides required for DNA replication and repair in all living organisms.

Activation of the Class Ib Ribonucleotide Reductase by a Flavodoxin Reductase in Bacillus cereus.

To reduce ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides, the manganese-bound form of class Ib ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) must be activated via a pathway that involves redox protein(s). The reduced flavoprotein NrdI is an important protein in this pathway, as it reduces dioxygen to superoxide. Superoxide then reacts with the RNR Mn(II)2 site to generate a tyrosyl radical that is required for catalysis. A native NrdI reductase has not yet been identified. We herein demonstrate through kinetic and spectroscopic studies that an endogenous flavodoxin reductase can function as the NrdI reductase in Bacillus cereus. When the flavodoxin reductase reduces NrdI, tyrosyl radical formation in RNR is promoted under aerobic conditions, significantly increasing the radical yield. Thus, a missing piece of the class Ib RNR NrdI redox pathway has finally been identified.

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a ferredoxin/flavodoxin-NADP(H) oxidoreductase (Bc0385) from Bacillus cereus.

Ferredoxin/flavodoxin-NADP(H) oxidoreductases (FNRs) are key enzymes involved in catalysing electron transfer between ferredoxins/flavodoxins and NAD(P)H/NAD(P)+. In Bacillus cereus there are three genes that may encode FNRs, and the Bc0385 FNR has been cloned, overexpressed, purified and successfully crystallized in its NADPH/NADP+-free form. Diffraction data have been collected to 2.5 Šresolution from crystals belonging to the orthorhombic space group P21212, with unit-cell parameters a=57.2, b=164.3, c=95.0 Å, containing two FNR molecules in the asymmetric unit. The structure of the Bc0385 FNR has been solved by molecular replacement, and is a member of the homodimeric thioredoxin reductase-like class of FNRs.

Crystal structure of Bacillus cereus class Ib ribonucleotide reductase di-iron NrdF in complex with NrdI.

Class Ib ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) use a dimetal-tyrosyl radical (Y•) cofactor in their NrdF (ß2) subunit to initiate ribonucleotide reduction in the NrdE (α2) subunit. Contrary to the diferric tyrosyl radical (Fe(III)2-Y•) cofactor, which can self-assemble from Fe(II)2-NrdF and O2, generation of the Mn(III)2-Y• cofactor requires the reduced form of a flavoprotein, NrdIhq, and O2 for its assembly. Here we report the 1.8 Å resolution crystal structure of Bacillus cereus Fe2-NrdF in complex with NrdI. Compared to the previously solved Escherichia coli NrdI-Mn(II)2-NrdF structure, NrdI and NrdF binds similarly in Bacillus cereus through conserved core interactions. This protein-protein association seems to be unaffected by metal ion type bound in the NrdF subunit. The Bacillus cereus Mn(II)2-NrdF and Fe2-NrdF structures, also presented here, show conformational flexibility of residues surrounding the NrdF metal ion site. The movement of one of the metal-coordinating carboxylates is linked to the metal type present at the dimetal site and not associated with NrdI-NrdF binding. This carboxylate conformation seems to be vital for the water network connecting the NrdF dimetal site and the flavin in NrdI. From these observations, we suggest that metal-dependent variations in carboxylate coordination geometries are important for active Y• cofactor generation in class Ib RNRs. Additionally, we show that binding of NrdI to NrdF would structurally interfere with the suggested α2ß2 (NrdE-NrdF) holoenzyme formation, suggesting the potential requirement for NrdI dissociation before NrdE-NrdF assembly after NrdI-activation. The mode of interactions between the proteins involved in the class Ib RNR system is, however, not fully resolved.

Access channel residues Ser315 and Asp137 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase (KatG) control peroxidatic activation of the pro-drug isoniazid.

Peroxidatic activation of the anti-tuberculosis pro-drug isoniazid by Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase (KatG) is regulated by gating residues of a heme access channel. The steric restriction at the bottleneck of this channel is alleviated by replacement of residue Asp137 with Ser, according to crystallographic and kinetic studies.

Structural characterization of nitrosomonas europaea cytochrome c-552 variants with marked differences in electronic structure.

Nitrosomonas europaea cytochrome c-552 (Ne c-552) variants with the same His/Met axial ligand set but with different EPR spectra have been characterized structurally, to aid understanding of how molecular structure determines heme electronic structure. Visible light absorption, Raman, and resonance Raman spectroscopy of the protein crystals was performed along with structure determination. The structures solved are those of Ne c-552, which displays a "HALS" (or highly anisotropic low-spin) EPR spectrum, and of the deletion mutant Ne N64Δ, which has a rhombic EPR spectrum. Two X-ray crystal structures of wild-type Ne c-552 are reported; one is of the protein isolated from N. europaea cells (Ne c-552n, 2.35 Å resolution), and the other is of recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli (Ne c-552r, 1.63 Å resolution). Ne N64Δ crystallized in two different space groups, and two structures are reported [monoclinic (2.1 Å resolution) and hexagonal (2.3 Å resolution)]. Comparison of the structures of the wild-type and mutant proteins reveals that heme ruffling is increased in the mutant; increased ruffling is predicted to yield a more rhombic EPR spectrum. The 2.35 Å Ne c-552n structure shows 18 molecules in the asymmetric unit; analysis of the structure is consistent with population of more than one axial Met configuration, as seen previously by NMR. Finally, the mutation was shown to yield a more hydrophobic heme pocket and to expel water molecules from near the axial Met. These structures reveal that heme pocket residue 64 plays multiple roles in regulating the axial ligand orientation and the interaction of water with the heme. These results support the hypothesis that more ruffled hemes lead to more rhombic EPR signals in cytochromes c with His/Met axial ligation.

Structure of the haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex.

Red cell haemoglobin is the fundamental oxygen-transporting molecule in blood, but also a potentially tissue-damaging compound owing to its highly reactive haem groups. During intravascular haemolysis, such as in malaria and haemoglobinopathies, haemoglobin is released into the plasma, where it is captured by the protective acute-phase protein haptoglobin. This leads to formation of the haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex, which represents a virtually irreversible non-covalent protein-protein interaction. Here we present the crystal structure of the dimeric porcine haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex determined at 2.9 Å resolution. This structure reveals that haptoglobin molecules dimerize through an unexpected ß-strand swap between two complement control protein (CCP) domains, defining a new fusion CCP domain structure. The haptoglobin serine protease domain forms extensive interactions with both the α- and ß-subunits of haemoglobin, explaining the tight binding between haptoglobin and haemoglobin. The haemoglobin-interacting region in the αß dimer is highly overlapping with the interface between the two αß dimers that constitute the native haemoglobin tetramer. Several haemoglobin residues prone to oxidative modification after exposure to haem-induced reactive oxygen species are buried in the haptoglobin-haemoglobin interface, thus showing a direct protective role of haptoglobin. The haptoglobin loop previously shown to be essential for binding of haptoglobin-haemoglobin to the macrophage scavenger receptor CD163 (ref. 3) protrudes from the surface of the distal end of the complex, adjacent to the associated haemoglobin α-subunit. Small-angle X-ray scattering measurements of human haptoglobin-haemoglobin bound to the ligand-binding fragment of CD163 confirm receptor binding in this area, and show that the rigid dimeric complex can bind two receptors. Such receptor cross-linkage may facilitate scavenging and explain the increased functional affinity of multimeric haptoglobin-haemoglobin for CD163 (ref. 4).

How different oxidation states of crystalline myoglobin are influenced by X-rays.

X-ray induced radiation damage of protein crystals is well known to occur even at cryogenic temperatures. Redox active sites like metal sites seem especially vulnerable for these radiation-induced reductions. It is essential to know correctly the oxidation state of metal sites in protein crystal structures to be able to interpret the structure-function relation. Through previous structural studies, we have tried to characterise and understand the reactions between myoglobin and peroxides. These reaction intermediates are relevant because myoglobin is proposed to take part as scavenger of reactive oxygen species during oxidative stress, and because these intermediates are similar among the haem peroxidases and oxygenases. We have in our previous studies shown that these different myoglobin states are influenced by the X-rays used. In this study, we have in detail investigated the impact that X-rays have on these different oxidation states of myoglobin. An underlying goal has been to find a way to be able to determine mostly unreduced states. We have by using single-crystal light absorption spectroscopy found that the different oxidation states of myoglobin are to a different extent influenced by the X-rays (e.g. ferric Fe(III) myoglobin is faster reduced than ferryl Fe(IV)═O myoglobin). We observe that the higher oxidation states are not reduced to normal ferrous Fe(II) or ferric Fe(III) states, but end up in some intermediate and possibly artificial states. For ferric myoglobin, it seems that annealing of the radiation-induced/reduced state can reversibly more or less give the starting point (ferric myoglobin). Both scavengers and different dose-rates might influence to which extent the different states are affected by the X-rays. Our study shows that it is essential to do a time/dose monitoring of the influence X-rays have on each specific redox-state with spectroscopic techniques like single-crystal light absorption spectroscopy. This will determine to which extent you can collect X-ray diffraction data on your crystal before it becomes too heavily influenced/reduced by X-rays. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Protein Structure and Function in the Crystalline State.

Review: studies of ferric heme proteins with highly anisotropic/highly axial low spin (S = 1/2) electron paramagnetic resonance signals with bis-histidine and histidine-methionine axial iron coordination.

Six-coordinated heme groups are involved in a large variety of electron transfer reactions because of their ability to exist in both the ferrous (Fe(2+)) and ferric (Fe(3+)) state without any large differences in structure. Our studies on hemes coordinated by two histidines (bis-His) and hemes coordinated by histidine and methionine (His-Met) will be reviewed. In both of these coordination environments, the heme core can exhibit ferric low spin (electron paramagnetic resonance EPR) signals with large g(max) values (also called Type I, highly anisotropic low spin, or highly axial low spin, HALS species) as well as rhombic EPR (Type II) signals. In bis-His coordinated hemes rhombic and HALS envelopes are related to the orientation of the His groups with respect to each other such that (i) parallel His planes results in a rhombic signal and (ii) perpendicular His planes results in a HALS signal. Correlation between the structure of the heme and its ligands for heme with His-Met axial ligation and ligand-field parameters, as derived from a large series of cytochrome c variants, show, however, that for such a combination of axial ligands there is no clear-cut difference between the large g(max) and the "small g-anisotropy" cases as a result of the relative Met-His arrangements. Nonetheless, a new linear correlation links the average shift delta of the heme methyl groups with the g(max) values.

The influence of X-rays on the structural studies of peroxide-derived myoglobin intermediates.

In recent years, the awareness of potential radiation damage of metal centers in protein crystals during crystallographic data collection has received increasing attention. The radiation damage can lead to radiation-induced changes and reduction of the metal sites. One of the research fields where these concerns have been comprehensively addressed is the study of the reaction intermediates of the heme peroxidase and oxygenase reaction cycles. For both the resting states and the high-valent intermediates, the X-rays used in the structure determination have given undesired side effects through radiation-induced changes to the trapped intermediates. However, X-rays have been used to generate and trap the peroxy/hydroperoxy state in crystals. In this review, the structural work and the influence of X-rays on these intermediates in myoglobin are summarized and viewed in light of analogous studies on similar intermediates in peroxidases and oxygenases.