1
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Schwartz R, Hadar-Volk A, Nam K, Major DT. Template-Based Docking Using Automated Maximum Common Substructure Identification with EnzyDock: Mechanistic and Inhibitor Docking. J Chem Inf Model 2025. [PMID: 40388499 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.5c00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2025]
Abstract
EnzyDock is a multistate, multiscale CHARMM-based docking program which enables mechanistic docking, i.e., modeling enzyme reactions by docking multiple reaction states, like substrates, intermediates, transition states, and products to the enzyme, in addition to standard protein-ligand docking. To achieve docking of multiple reaction states with similar poses (i.e., consensus docking), EnzyDock employs consensus pose restraints of the docked ligand states relative to a docking template. In the current work, we present an implementation of a Maximum Common Substructure (MCS)-guided docking strategy using EnzyDock, enabling the automatic detection of similarity among query ligands. Specifically, the MCS multistate approach is employed to efficiently dock ligands along enzyme reaction coordinates, including reactants, intermediates, and products, which allows efficient and robust mechanistic docking. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the MCS strategy in modeling enzymes, it is first applied to two highly complex enzyme reaction cascades catalyzed by the diterpene synthase CotB2 and the Diels-Alderase LepI. In addition, the MCS strategy is applied to dock enzyme inhibitors using cocrystallized inhibitors or substrates to guide the docking in the enzymes dihydrofolate reductase and the SARS-CoV-2 enzyme Mpro. The latter case exemplifies the use of MCS with EnzyDock's covalent docking capabilities and QM/MM scoring option. We show that different protocols of the implemented MCS algorithm are needed to obtain mechanistic consistency (i.e., similar poses) in mechanistic docking or to accurately dock chemically diverse ligands in inhibitor docking. Although the current implementation is specific for EnzyDock, the findings should be general and transferable to additional docking programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry, Israel National Institute of Energy Storage (INIES) and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Amit Hadar-Volk
- Department of Chemistry, Israel National Institute of Energy Storage (INIES) and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Kwangho Nam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Division of Data Science, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Dan T Major
- Department of Chemistry, Israel National Institute of Energy Storage (INIES) and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
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2
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Wei X, DeSnoo W, Li Z, Ning W, Kong WY, Nafie J, Tantillo DJ, Rudolf JD. Avoidance of Secondary Carbocations, Unusual Deprotonation, and Nonstatistical Dynamic Effects in the Cyclization Mechanism of Tetraisoquinane. J Am Chem Soc 2025; 147:16293-16300. [PMID: 40299714 PMCID: PMC12105118 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c01828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2025]
Abstract
The complexity and versatility of terpene cyclization reactions contribute to the wide variety of functions and properties that terpenoid compounds exhibit in nature. The management of reactive carbocations over the course of the reaction to ultimately arrive at a particular carbon fragment connectivity and stereochemistry is no small feat. Bacteria possess a variety of TSs that generate diverse polycyclic terpene skeletons; however, terpenoids in myxobacteria are especially rare. Here, we report the first mechanistic study of tetraisoquinene biosynthesis from TiqS, a diterpene synthase from Melittangium boletus. To understand formation of the unique 5/5/5/5-fused tetraisoquinane skeleton, we used the isolation and structural elucidation of nine minor metabolites, site-directed mutagenesis, stable isotope labeling experiments, and quantum chemical calculations to propose and support its mechanism. This study reveals a new mechanism of diterpene cyclization, expands our understanding of terpenoid biosynthesis, and enables the discovery of novel natural products in myxobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuting Wei
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7011, USA
| | - William DeSnoo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California–Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Zining Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7011, USA
| | - Wenbo Ning
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7011, USA
| | - Wang-Yeuk Kong
- Department of Chemistry, University of California–Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jordan Nafie
- BioTools, Inc., 5730 Corporate Way, Suite 220, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407, USA
| | - Dean J Tantillo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California–Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Rudolf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7011, USA
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3
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Nakano M, Hiasa K, Sato-Shimizu S, Sato H. Seven-Membered Ring Formation in Triterpene Biosynthesis: A Key Cyclopropane Rearrangement in Ilelic Acid Biosynthesis. J Org Chem 2025; 90:2907-2914. [PMID: 39960431 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c02541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2025]
Abstract
Triterpenes represent a crucial class of natural compounds with diverse biological activities and structural complexity. Among the various skeletal modifications in triterpene biosynthesis, the formation of seven-membered rings through ring expansion reactions significantly contributes to their structural diversity and, consequently, their functional versatility. This study elucidates the detailed reaction mechanism of a key seven-membered ring formation via cyclopropane rearrangement in the biosynthesis of ilelic acid. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we thoroughly investigated the biosynthetic pathway of ilelic acid, focusing on the critical ring expansion step. Our computational analysis reveals that the seven-membered ring formation proceeds through a cationic mechanism rather than a radical-mediated process. Notably, we found that the inherent instability of the secondary carbocation intermediate drives a concerted reaction pathway, avoiding the formation of high-energy intermediates. This mechanistic understanding not only sheds light on the biosynthesis of ilelic acid but also offers broader implications for comprehending similar transformations in other triterpene biosynthetic pathways. Our findings contribute to the fundamental understanding of triterpene skeletal diversity and pave the way for potential biomimetic approaches in the synthesis of complex seven-membered ring-containing terpenes. Furthermore, this work underscores the power of computational methods in unraveling intricate biosynthetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moe Nakano
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Kazuma Hiasa
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Satoko Sato-Shimizu
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Hajime Sato
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
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4
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Suh D, Schwartz R, Gupta PK, Zev S, Major DT, Im W. CHARMM-GUI EnzyDocker for Protein-Ligand Docking of Multiple Reactive States along a Reaction Coordinate in Enzymes. J Chem Theory Comput 2025; 21:2118-2128. [PMID: 39950957 PMCID: PMC11866752 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.4c01691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2024] [Revised: 01/23/2025] [Accepted: 01/28/2025] [Indexed: 02/26/2025]
Abstract
Enzymes play crucial roles in all biological systems by catalyzing a myriad of chemical reactions. These reactions range from simple one-step processes to intricate multistep cascades. Predicting mechanistically appropriate binding modes along a reaction pathway for substrate, product, and all reaction intermediates and transition states is a daunting task. To address this challenge, special docking programs like EnzyDock have been developed. Yet, running such docking simulations is complicated due to the nature of multistep enzyme processes. This work presents CHARMM-GUI EnzyDocker, a web-based cyberinfrastructure designed to streamline the preparation and running of EnzyDock docking simulations. The development of EnzyDocker has been achieved through integration of existing CHARMM-GUI modules, such as PDB Reader and Manipulator, Ligand Designer, and QM/MM Interfacer. In addition, new functionalities have been developed to facilitate a one-stop preparation of multistate and multiscale docking systems and enable interactive and intuitive ligand modifications and flexible protein residues selections. A simple setup related to multiligand docking is automatized through intuitive user interfaces. EnzyDocker offers support for standard classical docking and QM/MM docking with CHARMM built-in semiempirical engines. Automated consensus restraints for incorporating experimental knowledge into the docking are facilitated via a maximum common substructure algorithm. To illustrate the robustness of EnzyDocker, we conducted docking simulations of three enzyme systems: dihydrofolate reductase, SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, and the diterpene synthase CotB2. In addition, we have created four tutorial videos about these systems, which can be found at https://www.charmm-gui.org/demo/enzydock. EnzyDocker is expected to be a valuable and accessible web-based tool that simplifies and accelerates the setup process for multistate docking for enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghyuk Suh
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Renana Schwartz
- Department
of Chemistry, Israel National Institute of Energy Storage (INIES)
and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department
of Chemistry, Israel National Institute of Energy Storage (INIES)
and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Shani Zev
- Department
of Chemistry, Israel National Institute of Energy Storage (INIES)
and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department
of Chemistry, Israel National Institute of Energy Storage (INIES)
and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Wonpil Im
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
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5
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Li T, Shu D, Lei L, Li Z, Luo D, Yang J, Wang Y, Hou X, Wang H, Tan H. Molecular Insight into the Catalytic Mechanism of the Sesquiterpene Cyclase BcABA3. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2025; 73:835-846. [PMID: 39689351 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c07116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2024]
Abstract
BcABA3 is an unusual sesquiterpene synthase that lacks the conserved DDxxD and DTE/NSE motifs. Despite this, it can catalyze the conversion of farnesyl diphosphate to 2Z,4E-α-ionylideneethane. We used structure prediction, multiscale simulations, and site-directed mutagenesis experiments to investigate BcABA3 and its catalytic mechanism. BcABA3 has structural similarity to typical class I terpenoid cyclases in its active site. Based on simulation results, we identified two discontinuous glutamate residues, E124 and E88, which compensate for the absence of the aspartate-rich DDxxD motif. Quantum chemical calculations show that BcABA3 adopts a direct rotation mechanism for allyl cation isomerization rather than via the nerolidyl diphosphate. Then, it can achieve a successive proton transfer reaction, which is difficult to achieve by intramolecular rearrangement via the protruding outward carbonyl oxygen of A206. This reaction is then directed forward by two relatively stable intermediates containing a cation-conjugated double-bond structure. E124 is also proposed as the proton receptor in the final deprotonation to couple this step with 2Z,4E-α-ionylideneethane release. These findings provide valuable insight into the catalytic mechanisms of BcABA3 and can aid in its engineering, which will facilitate studies of abscisic acid biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianfu Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610064, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dan Shu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lei Lei
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Zhemin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Di Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jie Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaonan Hou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongning Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Hong Tan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
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6
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Hwang W, Austin SL, Blondel A, Boittier ED, Boresch S, Buck M, Buckner J, Caflisch A, Chang HT, Cheng X, Choi YK, Chu JW, Crowley MF, Cui Q, Damjanovic A, Deng Y, Devereux M, Ding X, Feig MF, Gao J, Glowacki DR, Gonzales JE, Hamaneh MB, Harder ED, Hayes RL, Huang J, Huang Y, Hudson PS, Im W, Islam SM, Jiang W, Jones MR, Käser S, Kearns FL, Kern NR, Klauda JB, Lazaridis T, Lee J, Lemkul JA, Liu X, Luo Y, MacKerell AD, Major DT, Meuwly M, Nam K, Nilsson L, Ovchinnikov V, Paci E, Park S, Pastor RW, Pittman AR, Post CB, Prasad S, Pu J, Qi Y, Rathinavelan T, Roe DR, Roux B, Rowley CN, Shen J, Simmonett AC, Sodt AJ, Töpfer K, Upadhyay M, van der Vaart A, Vazquez-Salazar LI, Venable RM, Warrensford LC, Woodcock HL, Wu Y, Brooks CL, Brooks BR, Karplus M. CHARMM at 45: Enhancements in Accessibility, Functionality, and Speed. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:9976-10042. [PMID: 39303207 PMCID: PMC11492285 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c04100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Since its inception nearly a half century ago, CHARMM has been playing a central role in computational biochemistry and biophysics. Commensurate with the developments in experimental research and advances in computer hardware, the range of methods and applicability of CHARMM have also grown. This review summarizes major developments that occurred after 2009 when the last review of CHARMM was published. They include the following: new faster simulation engines, accessible user interfaces for convenient workflows, and a vast array of simulation and analysis methods that encompass quantum mechanical, atomistic, and coarse-grained levels, as well as extensive coverage of force fields. In addition to providing the current snapshot of the CHARMM development, this review may serve as a starting point for exploring relevant theories and computational methods for tackling contemporary and emerging problems in biomolecular systems. CHARMM is freely available for academic and nonprofit research at https://academiccharmm.org/program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonmuk Hwang
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M
University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A&M
University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Center for
AI and Natural Sciences, Korea Institute
for Advanced Study, Seoul 02455, Republic
of Korea
| | - Steven L. Austin
- Department
of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Arnaud Blondel
- Institut
Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3825, Structural
Bioinformatics Unit, 28 rue du Dr. Roux F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Eric D. Boittier
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 80, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Boresch
- Faculty of
Chemistry, Department of Computational Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Wahringerstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Buck
- Department
of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western
Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Joshua Buckner
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Amedeo Caflisch
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hao-Ting Chang
- Institute
of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National
Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Xi Cheng
- Shanghai
Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yeol Kyo Choi
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Jhih-Wei Chu
- Institute
of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Department of Biological Science
and Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering,
and Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDSB), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung
University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan,
ROC
| | - Michael F. Crowley
- Renewable
Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Qiang Cui
- Department
of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Ana Damjanovic
- Department
of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart
Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Yuqing Deng
- Shanghai
R&D Center, DP Technology, Ltd., Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Mike Devereux
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 80, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Xinqiang Ding
- Department
of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Michael F. Feig
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan
State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Jiali Gao
- School
of Chemical Biology & Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Institute
of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen
Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Department
of Chemistry and Supercomputing Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - David R. Glowacki
- CiTIUS
Centro Singular de Investigación en Tecnoloxías Intelixentes
da USC, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - James E. Gonzales
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M
University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart
Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Mehdi Bagerhi Hamaneh
- Department
of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western
Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | | | - Ryan L. Hayes
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Jing Huang
- Key Laboratory
of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Yandong Huang
- College
of Computer Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Phillip S. Hudson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
- Medicine
Design, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Wonpil Im
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Shahidul M. Islam
- Department
of Chemistry, Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware 19901, United States
| | - Wei Jiang
- Computational
Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Michael R. Jones
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart
Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Silvan Käser
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 80, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fiona L. Kearns
- Department
of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Nathan R. Kern
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Jeffery B. Klauda
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for Physical Science
and Technology, Biophysics Program, University
of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Themis Lazaridis
- Department
of Chemistry, City College of New York, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - Jinhyuk Lee
- Disease
Target Structure Research Center, Korea
Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department
of Bioinformatics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Justin A. Lemkul
- Department
of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Xiaorong Liu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Yun Luo
- Department
of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California 91766, United States
| | - Alexander D. MacKerell
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department
of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Markus Meuwly
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 80, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Department
of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Kwangho Nam
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Lennart Nilsson
- Karolinska
Institutet, Department of Biosciences and
Nutrition, SE-14183 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Victor Ovchinnikov
- Harvard
University, Department of Chemistry
and Chemical Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Emanuele Paci
- Dipartimento
di Fisica e Astronomia, Universitá
di Bologna, Bologna 40127, Italy
| | - Soohyung Park
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Richard W. Pastor
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart
Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Amanda R. Pittman
- Department
of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Carol Beth Post
- Borch Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Samarjeet Prasad
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart
Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Jingzhi Pu
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana
University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Yifei Qi
- School
of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | | | - Daniel R. Roe
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart
Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Benoit Roux
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | | | - Jana Shen
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Andrew C. Simmonett
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart
Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Alexander J. Sodt
- Eunice
Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Kai Töpfer
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 80, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Meenu Upadhyay
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 80, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Arjan van der Vaart
- Department
of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | | | - Richard M. Venable
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart
Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Luke C. Warrensford
- Department
of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - H. Lee Woodcock
- Department
of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Yujin Wu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Charles L. Brooks
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Bernard R. Brooks
- Laboratory
of Computational Biology, National Heart
Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Martin Karplus
- Harvard
University, Department of Chemistry
and Chemical Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Laboratoire
de Chimie Biophysique, ISIS, Université
de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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7
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Zhang W, Wang X, Zhu G, Zhu B, Peng K, Hsiang T, Zhang L, Liu X. Function Switch of a Fungal Sesterterpene Synthase through Molecular Dynamics Simulation Assisted Alteration of an Aromatic Residue Cluster in the Active Pocket of PfNS. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202406246. [PMID: 38934471 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202406246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Terpene synthases (TPSs) play pivotal roles in generating diverse terpenoids through complex cyclization pathways. Protein engineering of TPSs offers a crucial approach to expanding terpene diversity. However, significant potential remains untapped due to limited understanding of the structure-function relationships of TPSs. In this investigation, using a joint approach of molecular dynamics simulations-assisted engineering and site-directed mutagenesis, we manipulated the aromatic residue cluster (ARC) of a bifunctional terpene synthase (BFTPS), Pestalotiopsis fici nigtetraene synthase (PfNS). This led to the discovery of previously unreported catalytic functions yielding different cyclization patterns of sesterterpenes. Specifically, a quadruple variant (F89A/Y113F/W193L/T194W) completely altered PfNS's function, converting it from producing the bicyclic sesterterpene nigtetraene to the tricyclic ophiobolin F. Additionally, analysis of catalytic profiles by double, triple, and quadruple variants demonstrated that the ARC functions as a switch, unprecedently redirecting the production of 5/11 bicyclic (Type B) sesterterpenes to 5/15 bicyclic (Type A) ones. Molecular dynamics simulations and theozyme calculations further elucidated that, in addition to cation-π interactions, C-H⋅⋅⋅π interactions also play a key role in the cyclization patterns. This study offers a feasible strategy in protein engineering of TPSs for various industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science of Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinye Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science of Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Ludong University, 264025, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Guoliang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science of Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science of Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaitong Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science of Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Tom Hsiang
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, N1G 2W1, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lixin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science of Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science of Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
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8
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Schwartz R, Zev S, Major DT. Differential Substrate Sensing in Terpene Synthases from Plants and Microorganisms: Insight from Structural, Bioinformatic, and EnzyDock Analyses. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400743. [PMID: 38556463 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Terpene synthases (TPSs) catalyze the first step in the formation of terpenoids, which comprise the largest class of natural products in nature. TPSs employ a family of universal natural substrates, composed of isoprenoid units bound to a diphosphate moiety. The intricate structures generated by TPSs are the result of substrate binding and folding in the active site, enzyme-controlled carbocation reaction cascades, and final reaction quenching. A key unaddressed question in class I TPSs is the asymmetric nature of the diphosphate-(Mg2+)3 cluster, which forms a critical part of the active site. In this asymmetric ion cluster, two diphosphate oxygen atoms protrude into the active site pocket. The substrate hydrocarbon tail, which is eventually molded into terpenes, can bind to either of these oxygen atoms, yet to which is unknown. Herein, we employ structural, bioinformatics, and EnzyDock docking tools to address this enigma. We bring initial data suggesting that this difference is rooted in evolutionary differences between TPSs. We hypothesize that this alteration in binding, and subsequent chemistry, is due to TPSs originating from plants or microorganisms. We further suggest that this difference can cast light on the frequent observation that the chiral products or intermediates of plant and bacterial terpene synthases represent opposite enantiomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Dan T Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel
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9
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Schwartz R, Zev S, Major DT. Mechanistic docking in terpene synthases using EnzyDock. Methods Enzymol 2024; 699:265-292. [PMID: 38942507 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Terpene Synthases (TPS) catalyze the formation of multicyclic, complex terpenes and terpenoids from linear substrates. Molecular docking is an important research tool that can further our understanding of TPS multistep mechanisms and guide enzyme design. Standard docking programs are not well suited to tackle the unique challenges of TPS, like the many chemical steps which form multiple stereo-centers, the weak dispersion interactions between the isoprenoid chain and the hydrophobic region of the active site, description of carbocation intermediates, and finding mechanistically meaningful sets of docked poses. To address these and other unique challenges, we developed the multistate, multiscale docking program EnzyDock and used it to study many TPS and other enzymes. In this review we discuss the unique challenges of TPS, the special features of EnzyDock developed to address these challenges and demonstrate its successful use in ongoing research on the bacterial TPS CotB2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renana Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Dan T Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
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10
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Nam K, Shao Y, Major DT, Wolf-Watz M. Perspectives on Computational Enzyme Modeling: From Mechanisms to Design and Drug Development. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:7393-7412. [PMID: 38405524 PMCID: PMC10883025 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Understanding enzyme mechanisms is essential for unraveling the complex molecular machinery of life. In this review, we survey the field of computational enzymology, highlighting key principles governing enzyme mechanisms and discussing ongoing challenges and promising advances. Over the years, computer simulations have become indispensable in the study of enzyme mechanisms, with the integration of experimental and computational exploration now established as a holistic approach to gain deep insights into enzymatic catalysis. Numerous studies have demonstrated the power of computer simulations in characterizing reaction pathways, transition states, substrate selectivity, product distribution, and dynamic conformational changes for various enzymes. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain in investigating the mechanisms of complex multistep reactions, large-scale conformational changes, and allosteric regulation. Beyond mechanistic studies, computational enzyme modeling has emerged as an essential tool for computer-aided enzyme design and the rational discovery of covalent drugs for targeted therapies. Overall, enzyme design/engineering and covalent drug development can greatly benefit from our understanding of the detailed mechanisms of enzymes, such as protein dynamics, entropy contributions, and allostery, as revealed by computational studies. Such a convergence of different research approaches is expected to continue, creating synergies in enzyme research. This review, by outlining the ever-expanding field of enzyme research, aims to provide guidance for future research directions and facilitate new developments in this important and evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwangho Nam
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Yihan Shao
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
| | - Dan T. Major
- Department
of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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11
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Xu H, Köllner TG, Chen F, Dickschat JS. Mechanistic characterisation of a sesquiterpene synthase for asterisca-1,6-diene from the liverwort Radula lindenbergiana and implications for pentalenene biosynthesis. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:1360-1364. [PMID: 38240688 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob02088f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
A sesquiterpene synthase from the liverwort Radula lindenbergiana was characterised and shown to produce the new sesquiterpene hydrocarbon (3R,9R)-asterisca-1,6-diene, besides small amounts of pentalenene. The biosynthesis of asterisca-1,6-diene was studied through isotopic labelling experiments, giving additional insights into the long discussed biosynthesis of pentalenene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houchao Xu
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Tobias G Köllner
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2431 Joe Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-4561, USA
| | - Jeroen S Dickschat
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany.
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12
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Whitehead J, Leferink NGH, Johannissen LO, Hay S, Scrutton NS. Decoding Catalysis by Terpene Synthases. ACS Catal 2023; 13:12774-12802. [PMID: 37822860 PMCID: PMC10563020 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c03047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The review by Christianson, published in 2017 on the twentieth anniversary of the emergence of the field, summarizes the foundational discoveries and key advances in terpene synthase/cyclase (TS) biocatalysis (Christianson, D. W. Chem Rev2017, 117 (17), 11570-11648. DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00287). Here, we review the TS literature published since then, bringing the field up to date and looking forward to what could be the near future of TS rational design. Many revealing discoveries have been made in recent years, building on the knowledge and fundamental principles uncovered during those initial two decades of study. We use these to explore TS reaction chemistry and see how a combined experimental and computational approach helps to decipher the complexities of TS catalysis. Revealed are a suite of catalytic motifs which control product outcome in TSs, some obvious, some more subtle. We examine each in detail, using the most recent papers and insights to illustrate how exactly this fascinating class of enzymes takes a single acyclic substrate and turns it into the many thousands of complex terpenoids found in Nature. We then explore some of the recent strategies for TS engineering, including machine learning and other data-driven approaches. From this, rational and predictive engineering of TSs, "designer terpene synthases", will begin to emerge as a realistic goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua
N. Whitehead
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole G. H. Leferink
- Future
Biomanufacturing Research Hub (FBRH), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology,
Department of Chemistry, The University
of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United
Kingdom
| | - Linus O. Johannissen
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Hay
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel S. Scrutton
- Manchester
Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United Kingdom
- Future
Biomanufacturing Research Hub (FBRH), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology,
Department of Chemistry, The University
of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, United
Kingdom
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13
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Zhang F, Zeng T, Wu R. QM/MM Modeling Aided Enzyme Engineering in Natural Products Biosynthesis. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:5018-5034. [PMID: 37556841 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Natural products and their derivatives are widely used across various industries, particularly pharmaceuticals. Modern engineered biosynthesis provides an alternative way of producing and meeting the growing need for diverse natural products. Natural enzymes, on the other hand, often exhibit unsatisfactory catalytic characteristics and necessitate further enzyme engineering modifications. QM/MM, as a powerful and extensively used computational tool in the field of enzyme catalysis, has been increasingly applied in rational enzyme engineering over the past decade. In this review, we summarize recent advances in QM/MM computational investigation on enzyme catalysis and enzyme engineering for natural product biosynthesis. The challenges and perspectives for future QM/MM applications aided enzyme engineering in natural product biosynthesis will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Tao Zeng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Ruibo Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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14
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Spencer TA, Ditchfield R. Tryptophan Stabilization of a Biochemical Carbocation Evaluated by Analysis of π Complexes of 3-Ethylindole with the t-Butyl Cation. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:26497-26507. [PMID: 37521644 PMCID: PMC10373456 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c03259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how the highly unstable carbocation intermediates in terpenoid biosynthesis are stabilized and protected during their transient existence in enzyme active sites is an intriguing challenge which has to be addressed computationally. Our efforts have focused on evaluating the stabilization afforded via carbocation-π complexation between a biochemical carbocation and an aromatic amino acid residue. This has involved making measurements on an X-ray structure of an enzyme active site that shows a π donor proximate to a putative carbocation site and using these to build models which are analyzed computationally to provide an estimated stabilization energy (SE). Previously, we reported estimated SEs for several such carbocation-π complexes involving phenylalanine. Herein, we report the first such estimate involving tryptophan as the π donor. Because there was almost no published information about indole as a π-complexation donor, we first located computationally equilibrium π and σ complexes of 3-ethylindole with the t-butyl cation as relevant background information. Then, measurements on the X-ray structure of the enzyme CotB2 complexed with geranylgeranyl thiodiphosphate (GGSPP), specifically on the geometric relationship of the putative carbocation at C15 of GGSPP to W186, were used to build a model that afforded a computed SE of -15.3 kcal/mol.
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15
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Major DT, Gupta PK, Gao J. Origin of Catalysis by Nitroalkane Oxidase. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:151-162. [PMID: 36580021 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c07357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The rate of proton abstraction of the carbon acid nitroethane by Asp402 is accelerated by a factor of 108 in the enzyme nitroalkane oxidase (NAO) relative to that by the organic base acetate ion in water. The Cα proton of nitroalkanes is known to exhibit an abnormal correlation between its acidity strength and the rate of deprotonation, with an unusually slow rate of deprotonation in water. This work examines the origin of NAO catalysis, revealing that the rate enhancement by the enzyme is due to transition-state stabilization, restoring the normal behavior of the linear free energy relationship of Bronsted acids. Interestingly, NAO employs the ubiquitous cofactor flavin adenosine diphosphate (FAD) to perform the subsequent oxidation. Does the FAD cofactor also affect the catalytic rate of the initial proton transfer process of the overall nitroalkane oxidation? Classical molecular dynamics and path-integral simulations using a reaction-specific combined quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach were carried out to obtain the free energy reaction profiles, or the potentials of mean force, for the enzymatic reaction and for a model reaction in aqueous solution, as well as for the 2'-deoxy-FAD co-factor-modified NAO. Free energy perturbation calculations suggest that transition-state stabilization of the reactive fragment is the primary cause of the catalytic effect. It is found that the FAD cofactor plays a crucial role in increasing the Cα proton acidity, via specific hydrogen bonding and π-stacking interactions, although these factors have a smaller effect on the enhancement of the rate of deprotonation. Model QM calculations of the π-stacking complexes between the FAD isoalloxazine ring and the neutral and anionic nitroethane, respectively, reveal that the anionic π-stacking complex is more stable than the neutral one by 15.7 kcal/mol, and a net π-stacking energy of 17.3 kcal/mol is obtained. Hence, the isoalloxazine ring, in addition to serving as a very potent oxidizing agent via the formation of covalent intermediate structures, is able to exert a considerable amount of catalytic effect through noncovalent π-stacking interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Thomas Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan52900, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan52900, Israel
| | - Jiali Gao
- Department of Chemistry and Supercomputing Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota55455, United States.,Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen, Guangdong581055, China
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16
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Biosynthesis of fusicoccane-type diterpenoids featuring a 5–8–5 tricyclic carbon skeleton. Tetrahedron Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2022.154224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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17
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Whitehead JN, Leferink NGH, Komati Reddy G, Levy CW, Hay S, Takano E, Scrutton NS. How a 10- epi-Cubebol Synthase Avoids Premature Reaction Quenching to Form a Tricyclic Product at High Purity. ACS Catal 2022; 12:12123-12131. [PMID: 36249875 PMCID: PMC9552170 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c03155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Terpenes are the largest class of natural products and
are attractive
targets in the fuel, fragrance, pharmaceutical, and flavor industries.
Harvesting terpenes from natural sources is environmentally intensive
and often gives low yields and purities, requiring further downstream
processing. Engineered terpene synthases (TSs) offer a solution to
these problems, but the low sequence identity and high promiscuity
among TSs are major challenges for targeted engineering. Rational
design of TSs requires identification of key structural and chemical
motifs that steer product outcomes. Producing the sesquiterpenoid
10-epi-cubebol from farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP)
requires many steps and some of Nature’s most difficult chemistry.
10-epi-Cubebol synthase from Sorangium
cellulosum (ScCubS) guides a highly reactive carbocationic
substrate through this pathway, preventing early quenching and ensuring
correct stereochemistry at every stage. The cyclizations carried out
by ScCubS potentially represent significant evolutionary expansions
in the chemical space accessible by TSs. Here, we present the high-resolution
crystal structure of ScCubS in complex with both a trinuclear magnesium
cluster and pyrophosphate. Computational modeling, experiment, and
bioinformatic analysis identified residues important in steering the
reaction chemistry. We show that S206 is crucial in 10-epi-cubebol synthesis by enlisting the nearby F211 to shape the active
site contour and prevent the formation of early escape cadalane products.
We also show that N327 and F104 control the distribution between several
early-stage cations and whether the final product is derived from
the germacrane, cadalane, or cubebane hydrocarbon scaffold. Using
these insights, we reengineered ScCubS so that its main product was
germacradien-4-ol, which derives from the germacrane, rather than
the cubebane, scaffold. Our work emphasizes that mechanistic understanding
of cation stabilization in TSs can be used to guide catalytic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua N. Whitehead
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Nicole G. H. Leferink
- Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub (FBRH), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Gajendar Komati Reddy
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Colin W. Levy
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Sam Hay
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Eriko Takano
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
- Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub (FBRH), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Nigel S. Scrutton
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
- Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub (FBRH), Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
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18
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Xing B, Xu H, Li A, Lou T, Xu M, Wang K, Xu Z, Dickschat JS, Yang D, Ma M. Crystal Structure Based Mutagenesis of Cattleyene Synthase Leads to the Generation of Rearranged Polycyclic Diterpenes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202209785. [PMID: 35819825 PMCID: PMC9543850 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202209785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The crystal structures of cattleyene synthase (apo-CyS), and CyS complexed with geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) were solved. The CySC59A variant exhibited an increased production of cattleyene and other diterpenes with diverse skeletons. Its structure showed a widened active site cavity explaining the relaxed selectivity. Isotopic labeling experiments revealed a remarkable cyclization mechanism involving several skeletal rearrangements for one of the novel diterpenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiying Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsSchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesPeking University38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian DistrictBeijing100191China
| | - Houchao Xu
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of BonnGerhard-Domagk-Strasse 153121BonnGermany
| | - Annan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsSchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesPeking University38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian DistrictBeijing100191China
| | - Tingting Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsSchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesPeking University38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian DistrictBeijing100191China
| | - Meng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsSchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesPeking University38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian DistrictBeijing100191China
| | - Kaibiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsSchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesPeking University38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian DistrictBeijing100191China
| | - Zhengren Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsSchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesPeking University38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian DistrictBeijing100191China
| | - Jeroen S. Dickschat
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of BonnGerhard-Domagk-Strasse 153121BonnGermany
| | - Donghui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsSchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesPeking University38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian DistrictBeijing100191China
| | - Ming Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic DrugsSchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesPeking University38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian DistrictBeijing100191China
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19
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Zev S, Ringel M, Driller R, Loll B, Brück T, Major DT. Understanding the competing pathways leading to hydropyrene and isoelisabethatriene. Beilstein J Org Chem 2022; 18:972-978. [PMID: 35965858 PMCID: PMC9359192 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.18.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Terpene synthases are responsible for the biosynthesis of terpenes, the largest family of natural products. Hydropyrene synthase generates hydropyrene and hydropyrenol as its main products along with two byproducts, isoelisabethatrienes A and B. Fascinatingly, a single active site mutation (M75L) diverts the product distribution towards isoelisabethatrienes A and B. In the current work, we study the competing pathways leading to these products using quantum chemical calculations in the gas phase. We show that there is a great thermodynamic preference for hydropyrene and hydropyrenol formation, and hence most likely in the synthesis of the isoelisabethatriene products kinetic control is at play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Marion Ringel
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Ronja Driller
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Structural Biochemistry Laboratory, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany,
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience – DANDRITE, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Bernhard Loll
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Structural Biochemistry Laboratory, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany,
| | - Thomas Brück
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Dan T Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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20
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Xing B, Xu H, Li A, Lou T, Xu M, Wang K, Xu Z, Dickschat JS, Yang D, Ma M. Crystal Structure Based Mutagenesis of Cattleyene Synthase Leads to the Generation of Rearranged Polycyclic Diterpenes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202209785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Baiying Xing
- Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of Natural Medicines CHINA
| | - Houchao Xu
- University of Bonn: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitat Bonn Organic chemistry and biochemistry GERMANY
| | - Annan Li
- Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of Natural Medicines CHINA
| | - Tingting Lou
- Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of Natural Medicines CHINA
| | - Meng Xu
- Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of Natural Medicines CHINA
| | - Kaibiao Wang
- Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of Natural Medicines CHINA
| | - Zhengren Xu
- Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of Natural Medicines CHINA
| | - Jeroen S. Dickschat
- University of Bonn: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitat Bonn Organic chemistry and biochemistry GERMANY
| | - Donghui Yang
- Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of Natural Medicines CHINA
| | - Ming Ma
- Peking University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of Natural Medicines 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District 100191 Beijing CHINA
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21
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Fordjour E, Mensah EO, Hao Y, Yang Y, Liu X, Li Y, Liu CL, Bai Z. Toward improved terpenoids biosynthesis: strategies to enhance the capabilities of cell factories. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2022; 9:6. [PMID: 38647812 PMCID: PMC10992668 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-022-00493-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Terpenoids form the most diversified class of natural products, which have gained application in the pharmaceutical, food, transportation, and fine and bulk chemical industries. Extraction from naturally occurring sources does not meet industrial demands, whereas chemical synthesis is often associated with poor enantio-selectivity, harsh working conditions, and environmental pollutions. Microbial cell factories come as a suitable replacement. However, designing efficient microbial platforms for isoprenoid synthesis is often a challenging task. This has to do with the cytotoxic effects of pathway intermediates and some end products, instability of expressed pathways, as well as high enzyme promiscuity. Also, the low enzymatic activity of some terpene synthases and prenyltransferases, and the lack of an efficient throughput system to screen improved high-performing strains are bottlenecks in strain development. Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology seek to overcome these issues through the provision of effective synthetic tools. This review sought to provide an in-depth description of novel strategies for improving cell factory performance. We focused on improving transcriptional and translational efficiencies through static and dynamic regulatory elements, enzyme engineering and high-throughput screening strategies, cellular function enhancement through chromosomal integration, metabolite tolerance, and modularization of pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Fordjour
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Centre for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Emmanuel Osei Mensah
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Centre for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yunpeng Hao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Centre for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yankun Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Centre for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiuxia Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Centre for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Ye Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Centre for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Chun-Li Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Centre for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
| | - Zhonghu Bai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Centre for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
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22
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Schafer JW, Chen X, Schwartz SD. Engineered Tryptophan Synthase Balances Equilibrium Effects and Fast Dynamic Effects. ACS Catal 2022; 12:913-922. [PMID: 35719741 PMCID: PMC9202816 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c03913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Creating efficient and stable enzymes for catalysis in pharmaceutical and industrial laboratories is an important research goal. Arnold et al. used directed evolution to engineer a natural tryptophan synthase to create a mutant that is operable under laboratory conditions without the need for a natural allosteric effector. The use of directed evolution allows researchers to improve enzymes without understanding the structure-activity relationship. Here, we present a transition path sampling study of a key chemical transformation in the tryptophan synthase catalytic cycle. We observed that while directed evolution does mimic the natural allosteric effect from a stability perspective, fast protein dynamics associated with chemistry has been dramatically altered. This work provides further evidence of the role of protein dynamics in catalysis and clearly demonstrates the multifaceted complexity of mutations associated with protein engineering. This study also demonstrates a fascinating contrast between allosteric and stand-alone functions at the femtosecond time scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W Schafer
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Steven D Schwartz
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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23
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Tsutsumi H, Moriwaki Y, Terada T, Shimizu K, Shin‐ya K, Katsuyama Y, Ohnishi Y. Structural and Molecular Basis of the Catalytic Mechanism of Geranyl Pyrophosphate C6‐Methyltransferase: Creation of an Unprecedented Farnesyl Pyrophosphate C6‐Methyltransferase. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202111217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hayama Tsutsumi
- Department of Biotechnology Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8657 Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Moriwaki
- Department of Biotechnology Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8657 Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Tohru Terada
- Department of Biotechnology Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8657 Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Kentaro Shimizu
- Department of Biotechnology Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8657 Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Kazuo Shin‐ya
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 2-4-7 Aomi, Koto-ku Tokyo 135-0064 Japan
- Technology Research Association for Next Generation Natural Products Chemistry 2-4-32 Aomi, Koto-ku Tokyo 135-0064 Japan
| | - Yohei Katsuyama
- Department of Biotechnology Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8657 Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Yasuo Ohnishi
- Department of Biotechnology Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8657 Japan
- Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
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24
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Zev S, Gupta PK, Pahima E, Major DT. A Benchmark Study of Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics-Molecular Mechanics Methods for Carbocation Chemistry. J Chem Theory Comput 2021; 18:167-178. [PMID: 34905380 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.1c00746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Carbocations play key roles in classical organic reactions and have also been implicated in several enzyme families. A hallmark of carbocation chemistry is multitudes of competing reaction pathways, and to be able to distinguish between pathways with quantum chemical calculations, it is necessary to approach chemical accuracy for relative energies between carbocations. Here, we present an extensive study of the performance of selected density functional theory (DFT) methods in describing the thermochemistry and kinetics of carbocations and their corresponding neutral alkenes both in the gas-phase and within a hybrid quantum mechanics-molecular mechanics (QM/MM) framework. The density functionals are benchmarked against accurate ab initio methods such as CBS-QB3 and DLPNO-CCSD(T). Based on the findings in the gas-phase calculations of carbocations and alkenes, the best functionals are chosen and tested further for non-covalent interactions in model systems using QM and QM/MM methods. We compute the interaction energies between a model carbocation/alkane and model π, dipole, and hydrophobic systems using DFT and QM(DFT)/MM and compare with DLPNO-CCSD(T). These latter model systems are representative of side chains of amino acids such as phenylalanine/tyrosine, tryptophan, asparagine/glutamine, serine/threonine, methionine, and other hydrophobic groups. The Lennard-Jones parameters of the QM atoms in QM(DFT)/MM calculations are modified to obtain an optimal fit with the QM energies. Finally, a selected carbocation reaction is studied in the gas phase and in implicit chloroform solvent using QM and in explicit chloroform solvent using QM/MM and umbrella sampling simulations. This study highlights the highest accuracy possible with selected density functionals and QM/MM methods but also some limitations in using QM/MM methods for carbocation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani Zev
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Prashant Kumar Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Efrat Pahima
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dan Thomas Major
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
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25
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Tsutsumi H, Moriwaki Y, Terada T, Shimizu K, Shin-Ya K, Katsuyama Y, Ohnishi Y. Structural and Molecular Basis of the Catalytic Mechanism of Geranyl Pyrophosphate C6-Methyltransferase: Creation of an Unprecedented Farnesyl Pyrophosphate C6-Methyltransferase. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 61:e202111217. [PMID: 34626048 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202111217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Prenyl pyrophosphate methyltransferases enhance the structural diversity of terpenoids. However, the molecular basis of their catalytic mechanisms is poorly understood. In this study, using multiple strategies, we characterized a geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) C6-methyltransferase, BezA. Biochemical analysis revealed that BezA requires Mg2+ and solely methylates GPP. The crystal structures of BezA and its complex with S-adenosyl homocysteine were solved at 2.10 and 2.56 Å, respectively. Further analyses using site-directed mutagenesis, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations revealed the molecular basis of the methylation reaction. Importantly, the function of E170 as a catalytic base to complete the methylation reaction was established. We also succeeded in switching the substrate specificity by introducing a W210A substitution, resulting in an unprecedented farnesyl pyrophosphate C6-methyltransferase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayama Tsutsumi
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Moriwaki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.,Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tohru Terada
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.,Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Shimizu
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.,Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Shin-Ya
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-4-7 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0064, Japan.,Technology Research Association for Next Generation Natural Products Chemistry, 2-4-32 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0064, Japan
| | - Yohei Katsuyama
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.,Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuo Ohnishi
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.,Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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26
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Huang ZY, Ye RY, Yu HL, Li AT, Xu JH. Mining methods and typical structural mechanisms of terpene cyclases. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2021; 8:66. [PMID: 38650244 PMCID: PMC10992375 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-021-00421-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Terpenoids, formed by cyclization and/or permutation of isoprenes, are the most diverse and abundant class of natural products with a broad range of significant functions. One family of the critical enzymes involved in terpenoid biosynthesis is terpene cyclases (TCs), also known as terpene synthases (TSs), which are responsible for forming the ring structure as a backbone of functionally diverse terpenoids. With the recent advances in biotechnology, the researches on terpene cyclases have gradually shifted from the genomic mining of novel enzyme resources to the analysis of their structures and mechanisms. In this review, we summarize both the new methods for genomic mining and the structural mechanisms of some typical terpene cyclases, which are helpful for the discovery, engineering and application of more and new TCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Yu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biomanufacturing, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Ru-Yi Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biomanufacturing, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Hui-Lei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biomanufacturing, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Ai-Tao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Jian-He Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Centre for Biomanufacturing, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
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27
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Xu H, Goldfuss B, Dickschat JS. 1,2- or 1,3-Hydride Shifts: What Controls Guaiane Biosynthesis? Chemistry 2021; 27:9758-9762. [PMID: 33929065 PMCID: PMC8362104 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202101371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A systematic computational study addressing the entire chemical space of guaianes in conjunction with an analysis of all known compounds shows that 1,3‐hydride shifts are rare events in guaiane biosynthesis. As demonstrated here, 1,3‐hydride shifts towards guaianes can only be realized for two stereochemically well defined out of numerous possible stereoisomeric skeletons. One example is given by the mechanism of guaia‐4(15)‐en‐11‐ol synthase from California poplar, an enzyme that yields guaianes with unusual stereochemical properties. The general results from DFT calculations were experimentally verified through isotopic‐labeling experiments with guaia‐4(15)‐en‐11‐ol synthase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houchao Xu
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bernd Goldfuss
- Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Cologne, Greinstraße 4, 50939, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jeroen S Dickschat
- Kekulé-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
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28
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Srivastava PL, Escorcia AM, Huynh F, Miller DJ, Allemann RK, van der Kamp MW. Redesigning the Molecular Choreography to Prevent Hydroxylation in Germacradien-11-ol Synthase Catalysis. ACS Catal 2021; 11:1033-1041. [PMID: 33614194 PMCID: PMC7886051 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c04647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
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Natural sesquiterpene synthases have evolved to make complex terpenoids by quenching
reactive carbocations either by proton transfer or by hydroxylation (water capture),
depending on their active site. Germacradien-11-ol synthase (Gd11olS) from
Streptomyces coelicolor catalyzes the cyclization of farnesyl
diphosphate (FDP) into the hydroxylated sesquiterpene germacradien-11-ol. Here, we
combine experiment and simulation to guide the redesign of its active site pocket to
avoid hydroxylation of the product. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate two regions
between which water molecules can flow that are responsible for hydroxylation. Point
mutations of selected residues result in variants that predominantly form a complex
nonhydroxylated product, which we identify as isolepidozene. Our results indicate how
these mutations subtly change the molecular choreography in the Gd11olS active site and
thereby pave the way for the engineering of terpene synthases to make complex terpenoid
products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhakar L. Srivastava
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrés M. Escorcia
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Florence Huynh
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Miller
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Rudolf K. Allemann
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Marc W. van der Kamp
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
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