The role of Phe181 in the hexamerization of Helicobacter pylori quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase

Structural Insights into the Quaternary Catalytic Mechanism of Hexameric Human Quinolinate Phosphoribosyltransferase, a Key Enzyme in de novo NAD Biosynthesis

Quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (QPRT) catalyses the production of nicotinic acid mononucleotide, a precursor of de novo biosynthesis of the ubiquitous coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. QPRT is also essential for maintaining the homeostasis of quinolinic acid in the brain, a possible neurotoxin causing various neurodegenerative diseases. Although QPRT has been extensively analysed, the molecular basis of the reaction catalysed by human QPRT remains unclear. Here, we present the crystal structures of hexameric human QPRT in the apo form and its complexes with reactant or product. We found that the interaction between dimeric subunits was dramatically altered during the reaction process by conformational changes of two flexible loops in the active site at the dimer-dimer interface. In addition, the N-terminal short helix α1 was identified as a critical hexamer stabilizer. The structural features, size distribution, heat aggregation and ITC studies of the full-length enzyme and the enzyme lacking helix α1 strongly suggest that human QPRT acts as a hexamer for cooperative reactant binding via three dimeric subunits and maintaining stability. Based on our comparison of human QPRT structures in the apo and complex forms, we propose a drug design strategy targeting malignant glioma.

Biogenesis and Homeostasis of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Cofactor

Universal and ubiquitous redox cofactors, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its phosphorylated analog (NADP), collectively contribute to approximately 12% of all biochemical reactions included in the metabolic model of Escherichia coli K-12. A homeostasis of the NAD pool faithfully maintained by the cells results from a dynamic balance in a network of NAD biosynthesis, utilization, decomposition, and recycling pathways that is subject to tight regulation at various levels. A brief overview of NAD utilization processes is provided in this review, including some examples of nonredox utilization. The review focuses mostly on those aspects of NAD biogenesis and utilization in E. coli and Salmonella that emerged within the past 12 years. The first pyridine nucleotide cycle (PNC) originally identified in mammalian systems and termed the Preiss-Handler pathway includes a single-step conversion of niacin (Na) to NaMN by nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (PncB). In E. coli and many other prokaryotes, this enzyme, together with nicotinamide deamidase (PncA), compose the major pathway for utilization of the pyridine ring in the form of amidated (Nm) or deamidated (Na) precursors. The existence of various regulatory mechanisms and checkpoints that control the NAD biosynthetic machinery reflects the importance of maintaining NAD homeostasis in a variety of growth conditions. Among the most important regulatory mechanisms at the level of individual enzymes are a classic feedback inhibition of NadB, the first enzyme of NAD de novo biosynthesis, by NAD and a metabolic regulation of NadK by reduced cofactors.

Comprehensive X-ray structural studies of the quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase (BNA6) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Quinolinic acid phosphoribosyl transferase (QAPRTase, EC 2.4.2.19) is a 32 kDa enzyme encoded by the BNA6 gene in yeast and catalyzes the formation of nicotinate mononucleotide from quinolinate and 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP). QAPRTase plays a key role in the tryptophan degradation pathway via kynurenine, leading to the de novo biosynthesis of NAD (+) and clearing the neurotoxin quinolinate. To improve our understanding of the specificity of the eukaryotic enzyme and the course of events associated with catalysis, we have determined the crystal structures of the apo and singly bound forms with the substrates quinolinate and PRPP. This reveals that the enzyme folds in a manner similar to that of various prokaryotic forms which are approximately 30% identical in sequence. In addition, the structure of the Michaelis complex is approximated by PRPP and the quinolinate analogue phthalate bound to the active site. These results allow insight into the kinetic mechanism of QAPRTase and provide an understanding of structural diversity in the active site of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae enzyme when compared to prokaryotic homologues.