1
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Warmack RA, Wenke BB, Spatzal T, Rees DC. Anaerobic cryoEM protocols for air-sensitive nitrogenase proteins. Nat Protoc 2024:10.1038/s41596-024-00973-5. [PMID: 38575747 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-00973-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) provides an attractive avenue for advancing our atomic resolution understanding of materials, molecules and living systems. However, the vast majority of published cryoEM methodologies focus on the characterization of aerobically purified samples. Air-sensitive enzymes and microorganisms represent important yet understudied systems in structural biology. We have recently demonstrated the success of an anaerobic single-particle cryoEM workflow applied to the air-sensitive nitrogenase enzymes. In this protocol, we detail the use of Schlenk lines and anaerobic chambers to prepare samples, including a protein tag for monitoring sample exposure to oxygen in air. We describe how to use a plunge freezing apparatus inside of a soft-sided vinyl chamber of the type we routinely use for anaerobic biochemistry and crystallography of oxygen-sensitive proteins. Manual control of the airlock allows for introduction of liquid cryogens into the tent. A custom vacuum port provides slow, continuous evacuation of the tent atmosphere to avoid accumulation of flammable vapors within the enclosed chamber. These methods allowed us to obtain high-resolution structures of both nitrogenase proteins using single-particle cryoEM. The procedures involved can be generally subdivided into a 4 d anaerobic sample generation procedure, and a 1 d anaerobic cryoEM sample preparation step, followed by conventional cryoEM imaging and processing steps. As nitrogen is a substrate for nitrogenase, the Schlenk lines and anaerobic chambers described in this procedure are operated under an argon atmosphere; however, the system and these procedures are compatible with other controlled gas environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeccah A Warmack
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
| | - Belinda B Wenke
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Spatzal
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Douglas C Rees
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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2
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Abstract
The Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process converts a mixture of CO and H2 into liquid hydrocarbons as a major component of the gas-to-liquid technology for the production of synthetic fuels. Contrary to the energy-demanding chemical FT process, the enzymatic FT-type reactions catalyzed by nitrogenase enzymes, their metalloclusters, and synthetic mimics utilize H+ and e- as the reducing equivalents to reduce CO, CO2, and CN- into hydrocarbons under ambient conditions. The C1 chemistry exemplified by these FT-type reactions is underscored by the structural and electronic properties of the nitrogenase-associated metallocenters, and recent studies have pointed to the potential relevance of this reactivity to nitrogenase mechanism, prebiotic chemistry, and biotechnological applications. This review will provide an overview of the features of nitrogenase enzymes and associated metalloclusters, followed by a detailed discussion of the activities of various nitrogenase-derived FT systems and plausible mechanisms of the enzymatic FT reactions, highlighting the versatility of this unique reactivity while providing perspectives onto its mechanistic, evolutionary, and biotechnological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Hu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine 92697-3900, USA
| | - Chi Chung Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine 92697-3900, USA
| | - Mario Grosch
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine 92697-3900, USA
| | - Joseph B. Solomon
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2025, USA
| | - Wolfgang Weigand
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Markus W. Ribbe
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine 92697-3900, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2025, USA
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3
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Taut J, Chambron J, Kersting B. Fifty Years of Inorganic Biomimetic Chemistry: From the Complexation of Single Metal Cations to Polynuclear Metal Complexes by Multidentate Thiolate Ligands. Eur J Inorg Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ejic.202200739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Josef Taut
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie Universität Leipzig Johannisallee 29 04103 Leipzig Germany
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg UMR 7177 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg 1, rue Blaise Pascal 67008 Strasbourg France
| | - Jean‐Claude Chambron
- Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg UMR 7177 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg 1, rue Blaise Pascal 67008 Strasbourg France
| | - Berthold Kersting
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie Universität Leipzig Johannisallee 29 04103 Leipzig Germany
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4
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Transcriptomic Response of the Diazotrophic Bacteria Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus Strain PAL5 to Iron Limitation and Characterization of the fur Regulatory Network. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158533. [PMID: 35955667 PMCID: PMC9368920 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus has been the focus of several studies aiming to understand the mechanisms behind this endophytic diazotrophic bacterium. The present study is the first global analysis of the early transcriptional response of exponentially growing G. diazotrophicus to iron, an essential cofactor for many enzymes involved in various metabolic pathways. RNA-seq, targeted gene mutagenesis and computational motif discovery tools were used to define the G. diazotrophicusfur regulon. The data analysis showed that genes encoding functions related to iron homeostasis were significantly upregulated in response to iron limitations. Certain genes involved in secondary metabolism were overexpressed under iron-limited conditions. In contrast, it was observed that the expression of genes involved in Fe-S cluster biosynthesis, flagellar biosynthesis and type IV secretion systems were downregulated in an iron-depleted culture medium. Our results support a model that controls transcription in G. diazotrophicus by fur function. The G. diazotrophicusfur protein was able to complement an E. colifur mutant. These results provide new insights into the effects of iron on the metabolism of G. diazotrophicus, as well as demonstrate the essentiality of this micronutrient for the main characteristics of plant growth promotion by G. diazotrophicus.
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5
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Stripp ST, Duffus BR, Fourmond V, Léger C, Leimkühler S, Hirota S, Hu Y, Jasniewski A, Ogata H, Ribbe MW. Second and Outer Coordination Sphere Effects in Nitrogenase, Hydrogenase, Formate Dehydrogenase, and CO Dehydrogenase. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11900-11973. [PMID: 35849738 PMCID: PMC9549741 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Gases like H2, N2, CO2, and CO are increasingly recognized as critical feedstock in "green" energy conversion and as sources of nitrogen and carbon for the agricultural and chemical sectors. However, the industrial transformation of N2, CO2, and CO and the production of H2 require significant energy input, which renders processes like steam reforming and the Haber-Bosch reaction economically and environmentally unviable. Nature, on the other hand, performs similar tasks efficiently at ambient temperature and pressure, exploiting gas-processing metalloenzymes (GPMs) that bind low-valent metal cofactors based on iron, nickel, molybdenum, tungsten, and sulfur. Such systems are studied to understand the biocatalytic principles of gas conversion including N2 fixation by nitrogenase and H2 production by hydrogenase as well as CO2 and CO conversion by formate dehydrogenase, carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, and nitrogenase. In this review, we emphasize the importance of the cofactor/protein interface, discussing how second and outer coordination sphere effects determine, modulate, and optimize the catalytic activity of GPMs. These may comprise ionic interactions in the second coordination sphere that shape the electron density distribution across the cofactor, hydrogen bonding changes, and allosteric effects. In the outer coordination sphere, proton transfer and electron transfer are discussed, alongside the role of hydrophobic substrate channels and protein structural changes. Combining the information gained from structural biology, enzyme kinetics, and various spectroscopic techniques, we aim toward a comprehensive understanding of catalysis beyond the first coordination sphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven T Stripp
- Freie Universität Berlin, Experimental Molecular Biophysics, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | | | - Vincent Fourmond
- Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille 13402, France
| | - Christophe Léger
- Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Institut Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille 13402, France
| | - Silke Leimkühler
- University of Potsdam, Molecular Enzymology, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Shun Hirota
- Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Division of Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Yilin Hu
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3900, United States
| | - Andrew Jasniewski
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3900, United States
| | - Hideaki Ogata
- Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Division of Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara 630-0192, Japan.,Hokkaido University, Institute of Low Temperature Science, Sapporo 060-0819, Japan.,Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan
| | - Markus W Ribbe
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3900, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
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6
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Yuan C, Jin WT, Zhou ZH. Statistical analysis of PN clusters in Mo/VFe protein crystals using a bond valence method toward their electronic structures. RSC Adv 2022; 12:5214-5224. [PMID: 35425536 PMCID: PMC8981338 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra08507g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron valences of 129 P-clusters from FeMo/V proteins were analyzed using a bond valence method, supposing the existence of Fe3+ in a generally considered all-ferrous PN cluster in solution with excess reducing agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Wan-Ting Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
| | - Zhao-Hui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China
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7
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Wang J, Gisriel CJ, Reiss K, Huang HL, Armstrong WH, Brudvig GW, Batista VS. Heterogeneous Composition of Oxygen-Evolving Complexes in Crystal Structures of Dark-Adapted Photosystem II. Biochemistry 2021; 60:3374-3384. [PMID: 34714055 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Photosystem II (PSII) is a homodimeric protein complex that catalyzes water oxidation at the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC), a heterocubanoid calcium-tetramanganese cluster. Here, we analyze the omit electron density peaks of the OEC's metal ions in five X-ray free-electron laser PSII structures at resolutions between 2.15 and 1.95 Å. The omit peaks can be described by the total number of electrons and approximated by the variance of electron density distribution when the distributions are spherically symmetric. We show that the number of electrons of metal centers is different in the two OECs of PSII dimers, implying that the oxidation states and/or occupancies of individual metal ions are different in the two monomers. In either case, we find that the two OECs of dark-adapted PSII dimers in crystals are not fully synchronized in the S1 state. Differences in redox states of the OEC in PSII only partially account for the observation that the electron densities integrate to a smaller number of electrons than expected. Differences between the determined and expected relative electron numbers are much larger than the estimated errors, indicating heterogeneity in the OEC composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimin Wang
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8114, United States
| | - Christopher J Gisriel
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - Krystle Reiss
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - Hao-Li Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - William H Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Gary W Brudvig
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8114, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - Victor S Batista
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
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8
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Moula G, Nagasaki A, Matsumoto T, Miehlich ME, Meyer K, Cramer RE, Tatsumi K. Synthesis of a Nitrogenase P
N
‐Cluster Model with [Fe
8
S
7
(μ‐S
thiolate
)
2
] Core from the All‐Ferric [Fe
4
S
4
(S
thiolate
)
4
] Cubane Synthon. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202102369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Golam Moula
- Research Center for Materials Science Nagoya University Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku Nagoya 464-8602 Japan
| | - Ayaka Nagasaki
- Research Center for Materials Science Nagoya University Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku Nagoya 464-8602 Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM) Nagoya University Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku Nagoya 464-8601 Japan
| | - Matthias E. Miehlich
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy Inorganic Chemistry Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) Egerlandstrasse 1 91058 Erlangen Germany
| | - Karsten Meyer
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy Inorganic Chemistry Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) Egerlandstrasse 1 91058 Erlangen Germany
| | - Roger E. Cramer
- Department of Chemistry University of Hawaii Honolulu HI 96822 USA
| | - Kazuyuki Tatsumi
- Research Center for Materials Science Nagoya University Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku Nagoya 464-8602 Japan
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9
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Moula G, Nagasaki A, Matsumoto T, Miehlich ME, Meyer K, Cramer RE, Tatsumi K. Synthesis of a Nitrogenase P N -Cluster Model with [Fe 8 S 7 (μ-S thiolate ) 2 ] Core from the All-Ferric [Fe 4 S 4 (S thiolate ) 4 ] Cubane Synthon. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:15792-15797. [PMID: 33928749 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202102369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Constructing synthetic models of the nitrogenase PN -cluster has been a long-standing synthetic challenge. Here, we report an optimal nitrogenase PN -cluster model [{(TbtS)(OEt2 )Fe4 S3 }2 (μ-STbt)2 (μ6 -S)] (2) [Tbt=2,4,6-tris{bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl}phenyl] that is the closest synthetic mimic constructed to date. Of note is that two thiolate ligands and one hexacoordinated sulfide are connecting the two Fe4 S3 incomplete cubanes similar to the native PN -cluster, which has never been achieved. Cluster 2 has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and relevant physico-chemical methods. The variable temperature magnetic moments of 2 indicate a singlet ground state (S=0). The Mössbauer spectrum of 2 exhibits two doublets with an intensity ratio of 3:1, which suggests the presence of two types of iron sites. The synthetic pathway of the cluster 2 could indicate the native PN -cluster maturation process as it has been achieved from the Fe4 S4 cubane Fe4 S4 (STbt)4 (1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Golam Moula
- Research Center for Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Ayaka Nagasaki
- Research Center for Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Matthias E Miehlich
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Inorganic Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Egerlandstrasse 1, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Karsten Meyer
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Inorganic Chemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Egerlandstrasse 1, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Roger E Cramer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Kazuyuki Tatsumi
- Research Center for Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan
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10
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Using synthetic biology to overcome barriers to stable expression of nitrogenase in eukaryotic organelles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:16537-16545. [PMID: 32601191 PMCID: PMC7368281 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2002307117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable expression of each component of the nitrogenase system in an active form is a prerequisite for engineering nitrogen fixation in eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria provide an oxygen-depleted environment for the expression of active nitrogenase in plants, but signal peptides are required to target nuclear encoded Nif proteins to this organelle. We demonstrate that one of the structural subunits of nitrogenase, NifD, is itself susceptible to cleavage by mitochondrial processing peptidases from a variety of plant origins, presenting a major challenge to engineering nitrogen fixation in mitochondria. To overcome this issue, we have engineered NifD variants that are resistant to cleavage and retain high levels of nitrogenase activity, thus providing a potential solution for engineering active MoFe protein in plants. Engineering biological nitrogen fixation in eukaryotic cells by direct introduction of nif genes requires elegant synthetic biology approaches to ensure that components required for the biosynthesis of active nitrogenase are stable and expressed in the appropriate stoichiometry. Previously, the NifD subunits of nitrogenase MoFe protein from Azotobacter vinelandii and Klebsiella oxytoca were found to be unstable in yeast and plant mitochondria, respectively, presenting a bottleneck to the assembly of active MoFe protein in eukaryotic cells. In this study, we have delineated the region and subsequently a key residue, NifD-R98, from K. oxytoca that confers susceptibility to protease-mediated degradation in mitochondria. The effect observed is pervasive, as R98 is conserved among all NifD proteins analyzed. NifD proteins from four representative diazotrophs, but not their R98 variants, were observed to be unstable in yeast mitochondria. Furthermore, by reconstituting mitochondrial-processing peptidases (MPPs) from yeast, Oryza sativa, Nicotiana tabacum, and Arabidopsis thaliana in Escherichia coli, we demonstrated that MPPs are responsible for cleavage of NifD. These results indicate a pervasive effect on the stability of NifD proteins in mitochondria resulting from cleavage by MPPs. NifD-R98 variants that retained high levels of nitrogenase activity were obtained, with the potential to stably target active MoFe protein to mitochondria. This reconstitution approach could help preevaluate the stability of Nif proteins for plant expression and paves the way for engineering active nitrogenase in plant organelles.
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Einsle
- Institute for Biochemistry, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Douglas C. Rees
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena California 91125, United States
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12
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Tanifuji K, Ohki Y. Metal–Sulfur Compounds in N2 Reduction and Nitrogenase-Related Chemistry. Chem Rev 2020; 120:5194-5251. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Tanifuji
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-3900, United States
| | - Yasuhiro Ohki
- Department of Chemsitry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
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13
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Jin WT, Yang M, Zhu SS, Zhou ZH. Bond-valence analyses of the crystal structures of FeMo/V cofactors in FeMo/V proteins. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2020; 76:428-437. [PMID: 32355039 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798320003952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The bond-valence method has been used for valence calculations of FeMo/V cofactors in FeMo/V proteins using 51 crystallographic data sets of FeMo/V proteins from the Protein Data Bank. The calculations show molybdenum(III) to be present in MoFe7S9C(Cys)(HHis)[R-(H)homocit] (where H4homocit is homocitric acid, HCys is cysteine and HHis is histidine) in FeMo cofactors, while vanadium(III) with a more reduced iron complement is obtained for FeV cofactors. Using an error analysis of the calculated valences, it was found that in FeMo cofactors Fe1, Fe6 and Fe7 can be unambiguously assigned as iron(III), while Fe2, Fe3, Fe4 and Fe5 show different degrees of mixed valences for the individual Fe atoms. For the FeV cofactors in PDB entry 5n6y, Fe4, Fe5 and Fe6 correspond to iron(II), iron(II) and iron(III), respectively, while Fe1, Fe2, Fe3 and Fe7 exhibit strongly mixed valences. Special situations such as CO-bound and selenium-substituted FeMo cofactors and O(N)H-bridged FeV cofactors are also discussed and suggest rearrangement of the electron configuration on the substitution of the bridging S atoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Ting Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Shuang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao Hui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
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14
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Jasniewski AJ, Lee CC, Ribbe MW, Hu Y. Reactivity, Mechanism, and Assembly of the Alternative Nitrogenases. Chem Rev 2020; 120:5107-5157. [PMID: 32129988 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Biological nitrogen fixation is catalyzed by the enzyme nitrogenase, which facilitates the cleavage of the relatively inert triple bond of N2. Nitrogenase is most commonly associated with the molybdenum-iron cofactor called FeMoco or the M-cluster, and it has been the subject of extensive structural and spectroscopic characterization over the past 60 years. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, two "alternative nitrogenase" systems were discovered, isolated, and found to incorporate V or Fe in place of Mo. These systems are regulated by separate gene clusters; however, there is a high degree of structural and functional similarity between each nitrogenase. Limited studies with the V- and Fe-nitrogenases initially demonstrated that these enzymes were analogously active as the Mo-nitrogenase, but more recent investigations have found capabilities that are unique to the alternative systems. In this review, we will discuss the reactivity, biosynthetic, and mechanistic proposals for the alternative nitrogenases as well as their electronic and structural properties in comparison to the well-characterized Mo-dependent system. Studies over the past 10 years have been particularly fruitful, though key aspects about V- and Fe-nitrogenases remain unexplored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Jasniewski
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3900, United States
| | - Chi Chung Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3900, United States
| | - Markus W Ribbe
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3900, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Yilin Hu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3900, United States
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15
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Zanello P. Structure and electrochemistry of proteins harboring iron-sulfur clusters of different nuclearities. Part V. Nitrogenases. Coord Chem Rev 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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16
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Song L, Liu P, Jiang W, Guo Q, Zhang C, Basit A, Li Y, Li J. α-Lys 424 Participates in Insertion of FeMoco to MoFe Protein and Maintains Nitrogenase Activity in Klebsiella oxytoca M5al. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:802. [PMID: 31057512 PMCID: PMC6477116 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous investigation of substrates reduction catalyzed by nitrogenase suggested that α-Ile423 of MoFe protein possibly functions as an electron transfer gate to Mo site of active center-“FeMoco”. Amino acid residue α-Lys424 connects directly to α-Ile423, and they are located in the same α-helix (α423-431). In the present study, function of α-Lys424 was investigated by replacing it with Arg (alkaline, like Lys), Gln (neutral), Glu (acidic), and Ala (neutral) through site-directed mutagenesis and homologous recombination. The mutants were, respectively, termed 424R, 424Q, 424E, and 424A. Studies of diazotrophic cell growth, cytological, and enzymatic properties indicated that none of the substitutions altered the secondary structure of MoFe protein, or normal expression of nifA, nifL, and nifD. Substitution of alkaline amino acid (i.e., 424R) maintained acetylene (C2H2) and proton (H+) reduction activities at normal levels similar to that of wild-type (WT), because its FeMoco content did not reduce. In contrast, substitution of acidic or neutral amino acid (i.e., 424Q, 424E, 424A) impaired the catalytic activity of nitrogenase to varying degrees. Combination of MoFe protein structural simulation and the results of a series of experiments, the function of α-Lys424 in ensuring insertion of FeMoco to MoFe protein was further confirmed, and the contribution of α-Lys424 in maintaining low potential of the microenvironment causing efficient catalytic activity of nitrogenase was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Song
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Pengxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qingjuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chunxi Zhang
- Laboratory of Photochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Abdul Basit
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jilun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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17
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Wang SY, Zhou ZH. Molybdenum imidazole citrate and bipyridine homocitrate in different oxidation states – balance between coordinated α-hydroxy and α-alkoxy groups. RSC Adv 2019; 9:519-528. [PMID: 35521591 PMCID: PMC9059298 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra09134j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxo and thiomolybdenum(iv/vi) imidazole hydrocitrates K2{MoIV3O4(im)3[MoVIO3(Hcit)]2}·3im·4H2O (1), (Him)2{MoIV3SO3(im)3[MoVIO3(Hcit)]2}·im·6H2O (2), molybdenum(v) bipyridine homocitrate trans-[(MoVO)2O(H2homocit)2(bpy)2]·4H2O (3) and molybdenum(vi) citrate (Et4N)[MoVIO2Cl(H2cit)]·H2O (4) (H4cit = citric acid, H4homocit = homocitric acid, im = imidazole and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) with different oxidation states were prepared. 1 and 2 are the coupling products of [MoVIO3(Hcit)]3− anions and incomplete cubane units [MoIV3O4]4+ ([MoIV3SO3]4+) with monodentate imidazoles, respectively, where tridentate citrates coordinate with α-hydroxy, α-carboxy and β-carboxy groups, forming pentanuclear skeleton structures. The molybdenum atoms in 1 and 2 show unusual +4 and +6 valences based on charge balances, theoretical bond valence calculations and Mo XPS spectrum. The coordinated citrates in 1 and 2 are protonated with α-hydroxy groups, while 3 and 4 with higher oxidation states of +5 and +6 are deprotonated with α-alkoxy group even under strong acidic condition, respectively. This shows the relationship between the oxidation state and protonation of the α-alkoxy group in citrate or homocitrate, which is related to the protonation state of homocitrate in FeMo-cofactor of nitrogenase. The homocitrate in 3 chelates to molybdenum(v) with bidentate α-alkoxy and monodentate α-carboxy groups. Molybdenum(vi) citrate 4 is only protonated with coordinated and uncoordinated β-carboxy groups. The solution behaviours of 1 and 2 are discussed based on 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies and cyclic voltammograms, showing no decomposition of the species. Oxo and thiomolybdenum(iv/vi) citrates, molybdenum(v) homocitrate and molybdenum(vi) citrate were obtained, showing the influence of coordinated α-hydroxy and α-alkoxy groups with different oxidation states.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Xiamen University
- Xiamen
- China
| | - Zhao-Hui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Xiamen University
- Xiamen
- China
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18
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Rohde M, Sippel D, Trncik C, Andrade SLA, Einsle O. The Critical E 4 State of Nitrogenase Catalysis. Biochemistry 2018; 57:5497-5504. [PMID: 29965738 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The reaction catalyzed by the nitrogenase enzyme involves breaking the stable triple bond of the dinitrogen molecule and is consequently considered among the most challenging reactions in biology. While many aspects regarding its atomic mechanism remain to be elucidated, a kinetic scheme established by David Lowe and Roger Thorneley has remained a gold standard for functional studies of the enzyme for more than 30 years. Recent three-dimensional structures of ligand-bound states of molybdenum- and vanadium-dependent nitrogenases have revealed the actual site of substrate binding on the large active site cofactors of this class of enzymes. The binding mode of an inhibitor and a reaction intermediate further substantiate a hypothesis by Seefeldt, Hoffman, and Dean that the activation of N2 is made possible by a reductive elimination of H2 that leaves the cofactor in a super-reduced state that can bind and reduce the inert N2 molecule. Here we discuss the immediate implications of the structurally observed mode of binding of small molecules to the enzyme with respect to the early stages of the Thorneley-Lowe mechanism of nitrogenase. Four consecutive single-electron reductions give rise to two bridging hydrides at the cluster surface that can recombine to eliminate H2 and enable the reduced cluster to bind its substrate in a bridging mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Rohde
- Institute for Biochemistry , Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg , Albertstrasse 21 , 79104 Freiburg , Germany
| | - Daniel Sippel
- Institute for Biochemistry , Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg , Albertstrasse 21 , 79104 Freiburg , Germany
| | - Christian Trncik
- Institute for Biochemistry , Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg , Albertstrasse 21 , 79104 Freiburg , Germany
| | - Susana L A Andrade
- Institute for Biochemistry , Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg , Albertstrasse 21 , 79104 Freiburg , Germany.,BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies , Schänzlestrasse 1 , 79104 Freiburg , Germany
| | - Oliver Einsle
- Institute for Biochemistry , Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg , Albertstrasse 21 , 79104 Freiburg , Germany.,BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies , Schänzlestrasse 1 , 79104 Freiburg , Germany
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19
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Dance I. What is the role of the isolated small water pool near FeMo‐co, the active site of nitrogenase? FEBS J 2018; 285:2972-2986. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.14519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Dance
- School of Chemistry UNSW Sydney NSW Australia
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20
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Ligand metathesis as rational strategy for the synthesis of cubane-type heteroleptic iron-sulfur clusters relevant to the FeMo cofactor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:5089-5092. [PMID: 29654147 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1801025115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Molybdenum-dependent nitrogenases catalyze the transformation of dinitrogen into ammonia under ambient conditions. The active site (FeMo cofactor) is the structurally and electronically complex weak-field metal cluster [MoFe7S9C] built of Fe4S3 and MoFe3S3C portions connected by three sulfur bridges and containing an interstitial carbon atom centered in an Fe6 trigonal prism. Chemical synthesis of this cluster is a major challenge in biomimetic inorganic chemistry. One synthetic approach of core ligand metathesis has been developed based on the design and synthesis of unprecedented incomplete ([(Tp*)WFe2S3Q3]-) and complete ([(Tp*)WFe3S3Q4]2-) cubane-type clusters containing bridging halide (Q = halide). These clusters are achieved by template-assisted assembly in the presence of sodium benzophenone ketyl reductant; products are controlled by reaction stoichiometry. Incomplete cubane clusters are subject to a variety of metathesis reactions resulting in substitution of a μ2-bridging ligand with other bridges such as N3-, MeO-, and EtS- Reactions of complete cubanes with Me3SiN3 and S8 undergo a redox metathesis process and lead to core ligand displacement and formation of [(Tp*)WFe3S3(μ3-Q)Cl3]- (Q = Me3SiN2-, S2-). This work affords entry to a wide variety of heteroleptic clusters derivable from incomplete and complete cubanes; examples are provided. Among these is the cluster [(Tp*)WFe3S3(μ3-NSiMe3)Cl3]-, one of the very few instances of a synthetic Fe-S cluster containing a light atom (C, N, O) in the core, which constitutes a close mimic of the [MoFe3S3C] fragment in FeMo cofactor. Superposition of them and comparison of metric information disclose a clear structural relationship [Tp* = tris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)hydroborate(1-)].
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21
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Siegbahn PEM. A Major Structural Change of the Homocitrate Ligand of Probable Importance for the Nitrogenase Mechanism. Inorg Chem 2018; 57:1090-1095. [PMID: 29303565 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.7b02493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mo-containing nitrogenase is the main enzyme that is able to take N2 from the air and form ammonia. The active-site cofactor of the enzyme, termed FeMoco, is unique in nature. It has seven Fe and one Mo atoms connected by S bridges, with a C atom in the center of the cofactor. Another unusual feature is that it has a large homocitrate ligand known to be of importance for catalysis. In the present computational study, the role of the homocitrate ligand is investigated. It is found that a large structural change, which makes MoIII five-coordinated, is energetically favorable in the more reduced states. This is of probable importance for the nitrogenase mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per E M Siegbahn
- Arrhenius Laboratory, Department of Organic Chemistry, Stockholm University , SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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22
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Wang SY, Jin WT, Chen HB, Zhou ZH. Comparison of hydroxycarboxylato imidazole molybdenum(iv) complexes and nitrogenase protein structures: indirect evidence for the protonation of homocitrato FeMo-cofactors. Dalton Trans 2018; 47:7412-7421. [DOI: 10.1039/c8dt00278a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Glycolato and lactato imidazole molybdenum(iv) complexes are used for structural comparison with FeMo-cofactors of MoFe-protein structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Xiamen University
- Xiamen
- China
| | - Wan-Ting Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Xiamen University
- Xiamen
- China
| | - Hong-Bin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Xiamen University
- Xiamen
- China
| | - Zhao-Hui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Xiamen University
- Xiamen
- China
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23
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Conformationally Gated Electron Transfer in Nitrogenase. Isolation, Purification, and Characterization of Nitrogenase From Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus. Methods Enzymol 2017. [PMID: 29746246 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogenase is a complex, bacterial enzyme that catalyzes the ATP-dependent reduction of dinitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3). In its most prevalent form, it consists of two proteins, the catalytic molybdenum-iron protein (MoFeP) and its specific reductase, the iron protein (FeP). A defining feature of nitrogenase is that electron and proton transfer processes linked to substrate reduction are synchronized by conformational changes driven by ATP-dependent FeP-MoFeP interactions. Yet, despite extensive crystallographic, spectroscopic, and biochemical information on nitrogenase, the structural basis of the ATP-dependent synchronization mechanism is not understood in detail. In this chapter, we summarize some of our efforts toward obtaining such an understanding. Experimental investigations of the structure-function relationships in nitrogenase are challenged by the fact that it cannot be readily expressed heterologously in nondiazotrophic bacteria, and the purification protocols for nitrogenase are only known for a small number of diazotrophic organisms. Here, we present methods for purifying and characterizing nitrogenase from a new model organism, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus. We also describe procedures for observing redox-dependent conformational changes in G. diazotrophicus nitrogenase by X-ray crystallography and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, which have provided new insights into the redox-dependent conformational gating processes in nitrogenase.
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24
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Artz JH, Zadvornyy OA, Mulder DW, King PW, Peters JW. Structural Characterization of Poised States in the Oxygen Sensitive Hydrogenases and Nitrogenases. Methods Enzymol 2017; 595:213-259. [PMID: 28882202 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The crystallization of FeS cluster-containing proteins has been challenging due to their oxygen sensitivity, and yet these enzymes are involved in many critical catalytic reactions. The last few years have seen a wealth of innovative experiments designed to elucidate not just structural but mechanistic insights into FeS cluster enzymes. Here, we focus on the crystallization of hydrogenases, which catalyze the reversible reduction of protons to hydrogen, and nitrogenases, which reduce dinitrogen to ammonia. A specific focus is given to the different experimental parameters and strategies that are used to trap distinct enzyme states, specifically, oxidants, reductants, and gas treatments. Other themes presented here include the recent use of Cryo-EM, and how coupling various spectroscopies to crystallization is opening up new approaches for structural and mechanistic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob H Artz
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Oleg A Zadvornyy
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - David W Mulder
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Biosciences Center, Golden, CO, United States
| | - Paul W King
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Biosciences Center, Golden, CO, United States
| | - John W Peters
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States.
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25
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Ohta S, Ohki Y. Impact of ligands and media on the structure and properties of biological and biomimetic iron-sulfur clusters. Coord Chem Rev 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2017.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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26
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Sippel D, Schlesier J, Rohde M, Trncik C, Decamps L, Djurdjevic I, Spatzal T, Andrade SLA, Einsle O. Production and isolation of vanadium nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii by molybdenum depletion. J Biol Inorg Chem 2016; 22:161-168. [DOI: 10.1007/s00775-016-1423-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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27
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Holm RH, Lo W. Structural Conversions of Synthetic and Protein-Bound Iron–Sulfur Clusters. Chem Rev 2016; 116:13685-13713. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. H. Holm
- Department
of Chemistry and
Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Wayne Lo
- Department
of Chemistry and
Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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28
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Owens CP, Katz FEH, Carter CH, Oswald VF, Tezcan FA. Tyrosine-Coordinated P-Cluster in G. diazotrophicus Nitrogenase: Evidence for the Importance of O-Based Ligands in Conformationally Gated Electron Transfer. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:10124-7. [PMID: 27487256 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b06783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The P-cluster is a unique iron-sulfur center that likely functions as a dynamic electron (e(-)) relay site between the Fe-protein and the catalytic FeMo-cofactor in nitrogenase. The P-cluster has been shown to undergo large conformational changes upon 2-e(-) oxidation which entail the coordination of two of the Fe centers to a Ser side chain and a backbone amide N, respectively. Yet, how and if this 2-e(-) oxidized state (P(OX)) is involved in catalysis by nitrogenase is not well established. Here, we present the crystal structures of reduced and oxidized MoFe-protein (MoFeP) from Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (Gd), which natively possesses an Ala residue in the position of the Ser ligand to the P-cluster. While reduced Gd-MoFeP is structurally identical to previously characterized counterparts around the FeMo-cofactor, oxidized Gd-MoFeP features an unusual Tyr coordination to its P-cluster along with ligation by a backbone amide nitrogen. EPR analysis of the oxidized Gd-MoFeP P-cluster confirmed that it is a 2-e(-) oxidized, integer-spin species. Importantly, we have found that the sequence positions corresponding to the Ser and Tyr ligands are almost completely covariant among Group I nitrogenases. These findings strongly support the possibility that the P(OX) state is functionally relevant in nitrogenase catalysis and that a hard, O-based anionic ligand serves to stabilize this state in a switchable fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric P Owens
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego , 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0356, United States
| | - Faith E H Katz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego , 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0356, United States
| | - Cole H Carter
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego , 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0356, United States
| | - Victoria F Oswald
- Department of Chemistry, University of California , Irvine, 1102 Natural Science II, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - F Akif Tezcan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego , 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0356, United States
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29
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Katz FEH, Owens CP, Tezcan FA. Electron Transfer Reactions in Biological Nitrogen Fixation. Isr J Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.201600020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Faith E. H. Katz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; University of California, San Diego; 9500 Gilman Drive San Diego CA 92093 USA
| | - Cedric P. Owens
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; University of California, San Diego; 9500 Gilman Drive San Diego CA 92093 USA
| | - F. A. Tezcan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; University of California, San Diego; 9500 Gilman Drive San Diego CA 92093 USA
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30
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31
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Chen QL, Zhou ZH. Interaction between molybdate and histidine and its reduction to molybdenum(V) dimer. Polyhedron 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.poly.2015.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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32
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McLauchlan CC, Peters BJ, Willsky GR, Crans DC. Vanadium–phosphatase complexes: Phosphatase inhibitors favor the trigonal bipyramidal transition state geometries. Coord Chem Rev 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2014.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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33
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Morrison CN, Hoy JA, Zhang L, Einsle O, Rees DC. Substrate pathways in the nitrogenase MoFe protein by experimental identification of small molecule binding sites. Biochemistry 2015; 54:2052-60. [PMID: 25710326 PMCID: PMC4590346 DOI: 10.1021/bi501313k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
![]()
In
the nitrogenase molybdenum-iron (MoFe) protein, we have identified
five potential substrate access pathways from the protein surface
to the FeMo-cofactor (the active site) or the P-cluster using experimental
structures of Xe pressurized into MoFe protein crystals from Azotobacter vinelandii and Clostridium pasteurianum. Additionally, all published structures of the MoFe protein, including
those from Klebsiella pneumoniae, were analyzed for
the presence of nonwater, small molecules bound to the protein interior.
Each pathway is based on identification of plausible routes from buried
small molecule binding sites to both the protein surface and a metallocluster.
Of these five pathways, two have been previously suggested as substrate
access pathways. While the small molecule binding sites are not conserved
among the three species of MoFe protein, residues lining the pathways
are generally conserved, indicating that the proposed pathways may
be accessible in all three species. These observations imply that
there is unlikely a unique pathway utilized for substrate access from
the protein surface to the active site; however, there may be preferred
pathways such as those described here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine N Morrison
- †Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology 114-96, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Julie A Hoy
- †Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology 114-96, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Limei Zhang
- †Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology 114-96, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Oliver Einsle
- ‡Institut für Biochemie and BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Douglas C Rees
- †Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology 114-96, Pasadena, California 91125, United States.,§Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
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34
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Zhang LM, Morrison CN, Kaiser JT, Rees DC. Nitrogenase MoFe protein from Clostridium pasteurianum at 1.08 Å resolution: comparison with the Azotobacter vinelandii MoFe protein. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA. SECTION D, BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 2015; 71:274-82. [PMID: 25664737 PMCID: PMC4321486 DOI: 10.1107/s1399004714025243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The X-ray crystal structure of the nitrogenase MoFe protein from Clostridium pasteurianum (Cp1) has been determined at 1.08 Å resolution by multiwavelength anomalous diffraction phasing. Cp1 and the ortholog from Azotobacter vinelandii (Av1) represent two distinct families of nitrogenases, differing primarily by a long insertion in the α-subunit and a deletion in the β-subunit of Cp1 relative to Av1. Comparison of these two MoFe protein structures at atomic resolution reveals conserved structural arrangements that are significant to the function of nitrogenase. The FeMo cofactors defining the active sites of the MoFe protein are essentially identical between the two proteins. The surrounding environment is also highly conserved, suggesting that this structural arrangement is crucial for nitrogen reduction. The P clusters are likewise similar, although the surrounding protein and solvent environment is less conserved relative to that of the FeMo cofactor. The P cluster and FeMo cofactor in Av1 and Cp1 are connected through a conserved water tunnel surrounded by similar secondary-structure elements. The long α-subunit insertion loop occludes the presumed Fe protein docking surface on Cp1 with few contacts to the remainder of the protein. This makes it plausible that this loop is repositioned to open up the Fe protein docking surface for complex formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Mei Zhang
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Christine N. Morrison
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Jens T. Kaiser
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Douglas C. Rees
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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35
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Neumann P, Tittmann K. Marvels of enzyme catalysis at true atomic resolution: distortions, bond elongations, hidden flips, protonation states and atom identities. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2014; 29:122-33. [PMID: 25460275 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Although general principles of enzyme catalysis are fairly well understood nowadays, many important details of how exactly the substrate is bound and processed in an enzyme remain often invisible and as such elusive. In fortunate cases, structural analysis of enzymes can be accomplished at true atomic resolution thus making possible to shed light on otherwise concealed fine-structural traits of bound substrates, intermediates, cofactors and protein groups. We highlight recent structural studies of enzymes using ultrahigh-resolution X-ray protein crystallography showcasing its enormous potential as a tool in the elucidation of enzymatic mechanisms and in unveiling fundamental principles of enzyme catalysis. We discuss the observation of seemingly hyper-reactive, physically distorted cofactors and intermediates with elongated scissile substrate bonds, the detection of 'hidden' conformational and chemical equilibria and the analysis of protonation states with surprising findings. In delicate cases, atomic resolution is required to unambiguously disclose the identity of atoms as demonstrated for the metal cluster in nitrogenase. In addition to the pivotal structural findings and the implications for our understanding of enzyme catalysis, we further provide a practical framework for resolution enhancement through optimized data acquisition and processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Neumann
- Abteilung für Molekulare Strukturbiologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen D-37077, Germany.
| | - Kai Tittmann
- Abteilung Molekulare Enzymologie, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen D-37077, Germany.
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de Paula Soares C, Rodrigues EP, de Paula Ferreira J, Simões Araújo JL, Rouws LFM, Baldani JI, Vidal MS. Tn5 insertion in the tonB gene promoter affects iron-related phenotypes and increases extracellular siderophore levels in Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus. Arch Microbiol 2014; 197:223-33. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-014-1045-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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37
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Cammack R, Balk J. Iron-sulfur Clusters. BINDING, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF METAL IONS IN BIOLOGICAL CELLS 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/9781849739979-00333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Iron-sulfur clusters are universally distributed groups occurring in iron-sulfur proteins. They have a wide range of cellular functions which reflect the chemistry of the clusters. Some clusters are involved in electron transport and energy transduction in photosynthesis and respiration. Others can bind substrates and participate in enzyme catalysis. Regulatory functions have also been documented for clusters that respond to oxygen partial pressure and iron availability. Finally, there are some for which no function has been defined; they may act as stabilizing structures, for example, in enzymes involved in nucleic acid metabolism. The clusters are constructed intracellularly and inserted into proteins, which can then be transported to intracellular targets, in some cases, across membranes. Three different types of iron-sulfur cluster assembly machinery have evolved in prokaryotes: NIF, ISC and SUF. Each system involves a scaffold protein on which the cluster is constructed (encoded by genes nifU, iscU, sufU or sufB) and a cysteine desulfurase (encoded by nifS, iscS or sufS) which provides the sulfide sulfur. In eukaryotic cells, clusters are formed in the mitochondria for the many iron-sulfur proteins in this organelle. The mitochondrial biosynthesis pathway is linked to the cytoplasmic iron-sulfur assembly system (CIA) for the maturation of cytoplasmic and nuclear iron-sulfur proteins. In plant cells, a SUF-type system is used for cluster assembly in the plastids. Many accessory proteins are involved in cluster transfer before insertion into the appropriate sites in Fe-S proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Cammack
- King's College London, Department of Biochemistry, 150 Stamford Street London SE1 9NH UK
| | - Janneke Balk
- John Innes Centre and University of East Anglia Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane Norwich NR4 7UH UK
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Lee SC, Lo W, Holm RH. Developments in the biomimetic chemistry of cubane-type and higher nuclearity iron-sulfur clusters. Chem Rev 2014; 114:3579-600. [PMID: 24410527 PMCID: PMC3982595 DOI: 10.1021/cr4004067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wayne Lo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada and the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
| | - R. H. Holm
- Corresponding Authors: S. C. Lee: . R. H. Holm:
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39
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Mutagenesis at α-423Ile of MoFe protein reduces the catalytic activity of nitrogenase in Klebsiella oxytoca. CHINESE SCIENCE BULLETIN-CHINESE 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s11434-013-0094-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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40
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Einsle O. Nitrogenase FeMo cofactor: an atomic structure in three simple steps. J Biol Inorg Chem 2014; 19:737-45. [DOI: 10.1007/s00775-014-1116-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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41
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Hoffman BM, Lukoyanov D, Yang ZY, Dean DR, Seefeldt LC. Mechanism of nitrogen fixation by nitrogenase: the next stage. Chem Rev 2014; 114:4041-62. [PMID: 24467365 PMCID: PMC4012840 DOI: 10.1021/cr400641x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 960] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Hoffman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University , 0300 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
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Ohki Y. Synthetic Analogues of the Active Sites of Nitrogenase and [NiFe] Hydrogenase. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2014. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20130207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Ohki
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University
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43
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Dance I. A molecular pathway for the egress of ammonia produced by nitrogenase. Sci Rep 2013; 3:3237. [PMID: 24241241 PMCID: PMC3831235 DOI: 10.1038/srep03237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitrogenase converts N2 to NH3, at one face of an Fe-Mo-S cluster (FeMo-co) buried in the protein. Through exploration of cavities in the structures of nitrogenase proteins, a pathway for the egress of ammonia from its generation site to the external medium is proposed. This pathway is conserved in the three species Azotobacter vinelandii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Clostridium pasteurianum. A molecular mechanism for the translocation of NH3 by skipping through a sequence of hydrogen bonds involving eleven water molecules and surrounding aminoacids has been developed. The putative mechanism requires movement aside of some water molecules by up to ~ 1Å. Consistent with this, the surrounding protein is comprised of different chains and has little secondary structure: protein fluctuations are part of the mechanism. This NH3 pathway is well separated from the water chain and embedded proton wire that have been proposed for serial supply of protons to FeMo-co. Verification procedures are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Dance
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
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44
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Najafpour MM. An approach for catalyst design in artificial photosynthetic systems: focus on nanosized inorganic cores within proteins. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2013; 117:197-205. [PMID: 23377954 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-012-9792-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Some enzymes can be considered as a catalyst having a nanosized inorganic core in a protein matrix. In some cases, the metal oxide or sulfide clusters, which can be considered as cofactors in enzymes, may be recruited for use in other related reactions in artificial photosynthetic systems. In other words, one approach to design efficient and environmentally friendly catalysts in artificial photosynthetic systems for the purpose of utilizing sunlight to generate high energy intermediates or useful material is to select and utilize inorganic cores of enzymes. For example, one of the most important goals in developing artificial photosynthesis is hydrogen production. However, first, it is necessary to find a "super catalyst" for water oxidation, which is the most challenging half reaction of water splitting. There is an efficient system for water oxidation in cyanobacteria, algae, and plants. Published data on the Mn-Ca cluster have provided details on the mechanism and structure of the water oxidizing complex as a Mn-Ca nanosized inorganic core in photosystem II. Progress has been made in introducing Mn-Ca oxides as efficient catalysts for water oxidation in artificial photosynthetic systems. Here, in the interest of designing efficient catalysts for other important reactions in artificial photosynthesis, a few examples of our knowledge of inorganic cores of proteins, and how Nature used them for important reactions, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mahdi Najafpour
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), 45137-66731, Zanjan, Iran,
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Moore JT, Hanhan NV, Mahoney ME, Cramer SP, Shaw JT. Enantioselective synthesis of isotopically labeled homocitric acid lactone. Org Lett 2013; 15:5615-7. [PMID: 24180620 DOI: 10.1021/ol402802g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A concise synthesis of homocitric acid lactone was developed to accommodate systematic placement of carbon isotopes (specifically (13)C) for detailed studies of this cofactor. This new route uses a chiral allylic alcohol, available in multigram quantities from enzymatic resolution, as a starting material, which transposes asymmetry through an Ireland-Claisen rearrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared T Moore
- Department of Chemistry, University of California , One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States and Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA 94720
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Howard JB, Kechris KJ, Rees DC, Glazer AN. Multiple amino acid sequence alignment nitrogenase component 1: insights into phylogenetics and structure-function relationships. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72751. [PMID: 24019874 PMCID: PMC3760896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amino acid residues critical for a protein's structure-function are retained by natural selection and these residues are identified by the level of variance in co-aligned homologous protein sequences. The relevant residues in the nitrogen fixation Component 1 α- and β-subunits were identified by the alignment of 95 protein sequences. Proteins were included from species encompassing multiple microbial phyla and diverse ecological niches as well as the nitrogen fixation genotypes, anf, nif, and vnf, which encode proteins associated with cofactors differing at one metal site. After adjusting for differences in sequence length, insertions, and deletions, the remaining >85% of the sequence co-aligned the subunits from the three genotypes. Six Groups, designated Anf, Vnf , and Nif I-IV, were assigned based upon genetic origin, sequence adjustments, and conserved residues. Both subunits subdivided into the same groups. Invariant and single variant residues were identified and were defined as “core” for nitrogenase function. Three species in Group Nif-III, Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator, Desulfotomaculum kuznetsovii, and Thermodesulfatator indicus, were found to have a seleno-cysteine that replaces one cysteinyl ligand of the 8Fe:7S, P-cluster. Subsets of invariant residues, limited to individual groups, were identified; these unique residues help identify the gene of origin (anf, nif, or vnf) yet should not be considered diagnostic of the metal content of associated cofactors. Fourteen of the 19 residues that compose the cofactor pocket are invariant or single variant; the other five residues are highly variable but do not correlate with the putative metal content of the cofactor. The variable residues are clustered on one side of the cofactor, away from other functional centers in the three dimensional structure. Many of the invariant and single variant residues were not previously recognized as potentially critical and their identification provides the bases for new analyses of the three-dimensional structure and for mutagenesis studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B. Howard
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JBH); (KJK); (DCR); (ANG)
| | - Katerina J. Kechris
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JBH); (KJK); (DCR); (ANG)
| | - Douglas C. Rees
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JBH); (KJK); (DCR); (ANG)
| | - Alexander N. Glazer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JBH); (KJK); (DCR); (ANG)
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47
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Crystalline and solution chemistry of tetrameric and dimeric molybdenum(VI) citrato complexes. Inorganica Chim Acta 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ica.2013.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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48
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Zhang L, Kaiser JT, Meloni G, Yang KY, Spatzal T, Andrade SLA, Einsle O, Howard JB, Rees DC. The Sixteenth Iron in the Nitrogenase MoFe Protein. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201303877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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49
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Zhang L, Kaiser JT, Meloni G, Yang KY, Spatzal T, Andrade SLA, Einsle O, Howard JB, Rees DC. The sixteenth iron in the nitrogenase MoFe protein. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2013; 52:10529-32. [PMID: 23963815 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201303877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Another iron in the fire: X-ray anomalous diffraction studies on the nitrogenase MoFe protein show the presence of a mononuclear iron site, designated as Fe16, which was previously identified as either Ca(2+) or Mg(2+). The position of the absorption edge indicates that this site is in the oxidation state +2. The high sequence conservation of the residues coordinated to Fe16 emphasizes the potential importance of the site in nitrogenase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limei Zhang
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125 (USA)
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50
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New Synthetic Routes to Metal-Sulfur Clusters Relevant to the Nitrogenase Metallo-Clusters. Z Anorg Allg Chem 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/zaac.201300081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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