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Vinces TC, de Souza AS, Carvalho CF, Visnardi AB, Teixeira RD, Llontop EE, Bismara BAP, Vicente EJ, Pereira JO, de Souza RF, Yonamine M, Marana SR, Farah CS, Guzzo CR. Monomeric Esterase: Insights into Cooperative Behavior, Hysteresis/Allokairy. Biochemistry 2024; 63:1178-1193. [PMID: 38669355 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00668] [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: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Herein, we present a novel esterase enzyme, Ade1, isolated from a metagenomic library of Amazonian dark earths soils, demonstrating its broad substrate promiscuity by hydrolyzing ester bonds linked to aliphatic groups. The three-dimensional structure of the enzyme was solved in the presence and absence of substrate (tributyrin), revealing its classification within the α/β-hydrolase superfamily. Despite being a monomeric enzyme, enzymatic assays reveal a cooperative behavior with a sigmoidal profile (initial velocities vs substrate concentrations). Our investigation brings to light the allokairy/hysteresis behavior of Ade1, as evidenced by a transient burst profile during the hydrolysis of substrates such as p-nitrophenyl butyrate and p-nitrophenyl octanoate. Crystal structures of Ade1, coupled with molecular dynamics simulations, unveil the existence of multiple conformational structures within a single molecular state (E̅1). Notably, substrate binding induces a loop closure that traps the substrate in the catalytic site. Upon product release, the cap domain opens simultaneously with structural changes, transitioning the enzyme to a new molecular state (E̅2). This study advances our understanding of hysteresis/allokairy mechanisms, a temporal regulation that appears more pervasive than previously acknowledged and extends its presence to metabolic enzymes. These findings also hold potential implications for addressing human diseases associated with metabolic dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Churasacari Vinces
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Anacleto Silva de Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Cecília F Carvalho
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Aline Biazola Visnardi
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Raphael D Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Edgar E Llontop
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Aparecida Passos Bismara
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Elisabete J Vicente
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - José O Pereira
- Biotechnology Group, Federal University of Amazonas, Amazonas CEP 69077-000, Brazil
| | - Robson Francisco de Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Yonamine
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Sandro Roberto Marana
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Chuck Shaker Farah
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Cristiane R Guzzo
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil
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Ortega-de la Rosa ND, Romero-Borbón E, Rodríguez JA, Camacho-Ruiz A, Córdova J. Cloning, Expression, Characterization and Immobilization of a Recombinant Carboxylesterase from the Halophilic Archaeon, Halobacterium salinarum NCR-1. Biomolecules 2024; 14:534. [PMID: 38785941 PMCID: PMC11118615 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050534] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Only a few halophilic archaea producing carboxylesterases have been reported. The limited research on biocatalytic characteristics of archaeal esterases is primarily due to their very low production in native organisms. A gene encoding carboxylesterase from Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1 was cloned and successfully expressed in Haloferax volcanii. The recombinant carboxylesterase (rHsEst) was purified by affinity chromatography with a yield of 81%, and its molecular weight was estimated by SDS-PAGE (33 kDa). The best kinetic parameters of rHsEst were achieved using p-nitrophenyl valerate as substrate (KM = 78 µM, kcat = 0.67 s-1). rHsEst exhibited great stability to most metal ions tested and some solvents (diethyl ether, n-hexane, n-heptane). Purified rHsEst was effectively immobilized using Celite 545. Esterase activities of rHsEst were confirmed by substrate specificity studies. The presence of a serine residue in rHsEst active site was revealed through inhibition with PMSF. The pH for optimal activity of free rHsEst was 8, while for immobilized rHsEst, maximal activity was at a pH range between 8 to 10. Immobilization of rHsEst increased its thermostability, halophilicity and protection against inhibitors such as EDTA, BME and PMSF. Remarkably, immobilized rHsEst was stable and active in NaCl concentrations as high as 5M. These biochemical characteristics of immobilized rHsEst reveal its potential as a biocatalyst for industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nestor David Ortega-de la Rosa
- Centro Universitario de Tlajomulco, Departamento de Ingeniería Biología, Sintética y de Materiales, Universidad de Guadalajara, Carretera Tlajomulco-Santa Fé Km. 3.5 No.595, Lomas de Tejeda, Tlajomulco de Zúñiga 45641, Mexico;
| | - Evelyn Romero-Borbón
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Departamento de Química, Universidad de Guadalajara, Blvd. Gral. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Col. Olímpica, Guadalajara 44430, Mexico;
| | - Jorge Alberto Rodríguez
- Biotecnología Industrial, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A. C., Camino el Arenero 1227, El Bajío del arenal, Zapopan 45019, Mexico;
| | - Angeles Camacho-Ruiz
- Centro Universitario del Norte, Departamento de Fundamentos del Conocimiento, Universidad de Guadalajara, Carretera Federal Km. 191 No. 23, Col. Santiago Tlaltelolco, Colotlán 46200, Mexico;
| | - Jesús Córdova
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Departamento de Química, Universidad de Guadalajara, Blvd. Gral. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Col. Olímpica, Guadalajara 44430, Mexico;
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Biochemical characterization of an esterase from Clostridium acetobutylicum with novel GYSMG pentapeptide motif at the catalytic domain. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 47:169-181. [PMID: 31807968 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-019-02253-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gene CA_C0816 codes for a serine hydrolase protein from Clostridium acetobutylicum (ATCC 824) a member of hormone-sensitive lipase of lipolytic family IV. This gene was overexpressed in E. coli strain BL21and purified using Ni2+-NTA affinity chromatography. Size exclusion chromatography revealed that the protein is a dimer in solution. Optimum pH and temperature for recombinant Clostridium acetobutylicum esterase (Ca-Est) were found to be 7.0 and 60 °C, respectively. This enzyme exhibited high preference for p-nitrophenyl butyrate. KM and kcat/KM of the enzyme were 24.90 µM and 25.13 s-1 µM-1, respectively. Sequence analysis of Ca-Est predicts the presence of catalytic amino acids Ser 89, His 224, and Glu 196, presence of novel GYSMG conserved sequence (instead of GDSAG and GTSAG motif), and undescribed variation of HGSG motif. Site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that Ser 89 and His 224 play a major role in catalysis. This study reports that Ca-Est is hormone-sensitive lipase with novel GYSMG pentapeptide motif at a catalytic domain.
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4
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Finnigan W, Cutlan R, Snajdrova R, Adams JP, Littlechild JA, Harmer NJ. Engineering a Seven Enzyme Biotransformation using Mathematical Modelling and Characterized Enzyme Parts. ChemCatChem 2019; 11:3474-3489. [PMID: 31598184 PMCID: PMC6774274 DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201900646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Multi-step enzyme reactions offer considerable cost and productivity benefits. Process models offer a route to understanding the complexity of these reactions, and allow for their optimization. Despite the increasing prevalence of multi-step biotransformations, there are few examples of process models for enzyme reactions. From a toolbox of characterized enzyme parts, we demonstrate the construction of a process model for a seven enzyme, three step biotransformation using isolated enzymes. Enzymes for cofactor regeneration were employed to make this in vitro reaction economical. Good modelling practice was critical in evaluating the impact of approximations and experimental error. We show that the use and validation of process models was instrumental in realizing and removing process bottlenecks, identifying divergent behavior, and for the optimization of the entire reaction using a genetic algorithm. We validated the optimized reaction to demonstrate that complex multi-step reactions with cofactor recycling involving at least seven enzymes can be reliably modelled and optimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Finnigan
- Department of BiosciencesUniversity of Exeter Henry Wellcome Building for BiocatalysisStocker RoadExeterEX4 4QDUK
| | - Rhys Cutlan
- Living Systems InstituteUniversity of ExeterStocker RoadExeterEX4 4QDmUK
| | - Radka Snajdrova
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D LtdMedicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road, StevenageHertfordshireSG1 2NYUK
| | - Joseph P. Adams
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D LtdMedicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road, StevenageHertfordshireSG1 2NYUK
| | - Jennifer A. Littlechild
- Department of BiosciencesUniversity of Exeter Henry Wellcome Building for BiocatalysisStocker RoadExeterEX4 4QDUK
| | - Nicholas J. Harmer
- Department of BiosciencesUniversity of Exeter Henry Wellcome Building for BiocatalysisStocker RoadExeterEX4 4QDUK
- Living Systems InstituteUniversity of ExeterStocker RoadExeterEX4 4QDmUK
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Qian Z, Tianwei H, Mackey HR, van Loosdrecht MCM, Guanghao C. Recent advances in dissimilatory sulfate reduction: From metabolic study to application. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 150:162-181. [PMID: 30508713 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are a group of diverse anaerobic microorganisms omnipresent in natural habitats and engineered environments that use sulfur compounds as the electron acceptor for energy metabolism. Dissimilatory sulfate reduction (DSR)-based techniques mediated by SRB have been utilized in many sulfate-containing wastewater treatment systems worldwide, particularly for acid mine drainage, groundwater, sewage and industrial wastewater remediation. However, DSR processes are often operated suboptimally and disturbances are common in practical application. To improve the efficiency and robustness of SRB-based processes, it is necessary to study SRB metabolism and operational conditions. In this review, the mechanisms of DSR processes are reviewed and discussed focusing on intracellular and extracellular electron transfer with different electron donors (hydrogen, organics, methane and electrodes). Based on the understanding of the metabolism of SRB, responses of SRB to environmental stress (pH-, temperature-, and salinity-related stress) are summarized at the species and community levels. Application in these stressed conditions is discussed and future research is proposed. The feasibility of recovering energy and resources such as biohydrogen, hydrocarbons, polyhydroxyalkanoates, magnetite and metal sulfides through the use of SRB were investigated but some long-standing questions remain unanswered. Linking the existing scientific understanding and observations to practical application is the challenge as always for promotion of SRB-based techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeng Qian
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hao Tianwei
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Hamish Robert Mackey
- Division of Sustainable Development, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Chen Guanghao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China; Water Technology Center, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China; Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China; Wastewater Treatment Laboratory, FYT Graduate School, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nansha, Guangzhou, China.
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6
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Discovering novel hydrolases from hot environments. Biotechnol Adv 2018; 36:2077-2100. [PMID: 30266344 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Novel hydrolases from hot and other extreme environments showing appropriate performance and/or novel functionalities and new approaches for their systematic screening are of great interest for developing new processes, for improving safety, health and environment issues. Existing processes could benefit as well from their properties. The workflow, based on the HotZyme project, describes a multitude of technologies and their integration from discovery to application, providing new tools for discovering, identifying and characterizing more novel thermostable hydrolases with desired functions from hot terrestrial and marine environments. To this end, hot springs worldwide were mined, resulting in hundreds of environmental samples and thousands of enrichment cultures growing on polymeric substrates of industrial interest. Using high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics, 15 hot spring metagenomes, as well as several sequenced isolate genomes and transcriptomes were obtained. To facilitate the discovery of novel hydrolases, the annotation platform Anastasia and a whole-cell bioreporter-based functional screening method were developed. Sequence-based screening and functional screening together resulted in about 100 potentially new hydrolases of which more than a dozen have been characterized comprehensively from a biochemical and structural perspective. The characterized hydrolases include thermostable carboxylesterases, enol lactonases, quorum sensing lactonases, gluconolactonases, epoxide hydrolases, and cellulases. Apart from these novel thermostable hydrolases, the project generated an enormous amount of samples and data, thereby allowing the future discovery of even more novel enzymes.
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7
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Littlechild JA. Improving the 'tool box' for robust industrial enzymes. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 44:711-720. [PMID: 28401315 PMCID: PMC5408032 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-017-1920-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The speed of sequencing of microbial genomes and metagenomes is providing an ever increasing resource for the identification of new robust biocatalysts with industrial applications for many different aspects of industrial biotechnology. Using 'natures catalysts' provides a sustainable approach to chemical synthesis of fine chemicals, general chemicals such as surfactants and new consumer-based materials such as biodegradable plastics. This provides a sustainable and 'green chemistry' route to chemical synthesis which generates no toxic waste and is environmentally friendly. In addition, enzymes can play important roles in other applications such as carbon dioxide capture, breakdown of food and other waste streams to provide a route to the concept of a 'circular economy' where nothing is wasted. The use of improved bioinformatic approaches and the development of new rapid enzyme activity screening methodology can provide an endless resource for new robust industrial biocatalysts.This mini-review will discuss several recent case studies where industrial enzymes of 'high priority' have been identified and characterised. It will highlight specific hydrolase enzymes and recent case studies which have been carried out within our group in Exeter.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Littlechild
- Henry Wellcome Building for Biocatalysis, Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK.
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Zarafeta D, Moschidi D, Ladoukakis E, Gavrilov S, Chrysina ED, Chatziioannou A, Kublanov I, Skretas G, Kolisis FN. Metagenomic mining for thermostable esterolytic enzymes uncovers a new family of bacterial esterases. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38886. [PMID: 27991516 PMCID: PMC5171882 DOI: 10.1038/srep38886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Biocatalysts exerting activity against ester bonds have a broad range of applications in modern biotechnology. Here, we have identified a new esterolytic enzyme by screening a metagenomic sample collected from a hot spring in Kamchatka, Russia. Biochemical characterization of the new esterase, termed EstDZ2, revealed that it is highly active against medium chain fatty acid esters at temperatures between 25 and 60 °C and at pH values 7-8. The new enzyme is moderately thermostable with a half-life of more than six hours at 60 °C, but exhibits exquisite stability against high concentrations of organic solvents. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that EstDZ2 is likely an Acetothermia enzyme that belongs to a new family of bacterial esterases, for which we propose the index XV. One distinctive feature of this new family, is the presence of a conserved GHSAG catalytic motif. Multiple sequence alignment, coupled with computational modelling of the three-dimensional structure of EstDZ2, revealed that the enzyme lacks the largest part of the "cap" domain, whose extended structure is characteristic for the closely related Family IV esterases. Thus, EstDZ2 appears to be distinct from known related esterolytic enzymes, both in terms of sequence characteristics, as well as in terms of three-dimensional structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Zarafeta
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Danai Moschidi
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Efthymios Ladoukakis
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sergey Gavrilov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center for Biotechnology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Evangelia D. Chrysina
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Aristotelis Chatziioannou
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Ilya Kublanov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center for Biotechnology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Georgios Skretas
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Fragiskos N. Kolisis
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Zarafeta D, Szabo Z, Moschidi D, Phan H, Chrysina ED, Peng X, Ingham CJ, Kolisis FN, Skretas G. EstDZ3: A New Esterolytic Enzyme Exhibiting Remarkable Thermostability. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1779. [PMID: 27899916 PMCID: PMC5110521 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipolytic enzymes that retain high levels of catalytic activity when exposed to a variety of denaturing conditions are of high importance for a number of biotechnological applications. In this study, we aimed to identify new lipolytic enzymes, which are highly resistant to prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures. To achieve this, we searched for genes encoding for such proteins in the genomes of a microbial consortium residing in a hot spring located in China. After performing functional genomic screening on a bacterium of the genus Dictyoglomus, which was isolated from this hot spring following in situ enrichment, we identified a new esterolytic enzyme, termed EstDZ3. Detailed biochemical characterization of the recombinant enzyme, revealed that it constitutes a slightly alkalophilic and highly active esterase against esters of fatty acids with short to medium chain lengths. Importantly, EstDZ3 exhibits remarkable thermostability, as it retains high levels of catalytic activity after exposure to temperatures as high as 95°C for several hours. Furthermore, it exhibits very good stability against exposure to high concentrations of a variety of organic solvents. Interestingly, EstDZ3 was found to have very little similarity to previously characterized esterolytic enzymes. Computational modeling of the three-dimensional structure of this new enzyme predicted that it exhibits a typical α/β hydrolase fold that seems to include a “subdomain insertion”, which is similar to the one present in its closest homolog of known function and structure, the cinnamoyl esterase Lj0536 from Lactobacillus johnsonii. As it was found in the case of Lj0536, this structural feature is expected to be an important determinant of the catalytic properties of EstDZ3. The high levels of esterolytic activity of EstDZ3, combined with its remarkable thermostability and good stability against a range of organic solvents and other denaturing agents, render this new enzyme a candidate biocatalyst for high-temperature biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Zarafeta
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research FoundationAthens, Greece; Laboratory of Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of AthensAthens, Greece
| | | | - Danai Moschidi
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens Athens, Greece
| | - Hien Phan
- Danish Archaea Centre, Department of Biology, Copenhagen University Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Evangelia D Chrysina
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation Athens, Greece
| | - Xu Peng
- Danish Archaea Centre, Department of Biology, Copenhagen University Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Fragiskos N Kolisis
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Skretas
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation Athens, Greece
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Wittenborn EC, Jost M, Wei Y, Stubbe J, Drennan CL. Structure of the Catalytic Domain of the Class I Polyhydroxybutyrate Synthase from Cupriavidus necator. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:25264-25277. [PMID: 27742839 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.756833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyhydroxybutyrate synthase (PhaC) catalyzes the polymerization of 3-(R)-hydroxybutyryl-coenzyme A as a means of carbon storage in many bacteria. The resulting polymers can be used to make biodegradable materials with properties similar to those of thermoplastics and are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. A full biochemical and mechanistic understanding of this process has been hindered in part by a lack of structural information on PhaC. Here we present the first structure of the catalytic domain (residues 201-589) of the class I PhaC from Cupriavidus necator (formerly Ralstonia eutropha) to 1.80 Å resolution. We observe a symmetrical dimeric architecture in which the active site of each monomer is separated from the other by ∼33 Å across an extensive dimer interface, suggesting a mechanism in which polyhydroxybutyrate biosynthesis occurs at a single active site. The structure additionally highlights key side chain interactions within the active site that play likely roles in facilitating catalysis, leading to the proposal of a modified mechanistic scheme involving two distinct roles for the active site histidine. We also identify putative substrate entrance and product egress routes within the enzyme, which are discussed in the context of previously reported biochemical observations. Our structure lays a foundation for further biochemical and structural characterization of PhaC, which could assist in engineering efforts for the production of eco-friendly materials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Catherine L Drennan
- From the Departments of Chemistry, .,Biology, and.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
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