Identification of essential histidine residues in the active site of Escherichia coli xylose (glucose) isomerase

Continuous Evolution of Protein through T7 RNA Polymerase-Guided Base Editing in Corynebacterium glutamicum

In vivo targeted mutagenesis technologies are the basis for the continuous directed evolution of specific proteins. Here, an efficient mutagenesis system (CgMutaT7) for continuous evolution of the targeted gene in Corynebacterium glutamicum was developed. First, cytosine deaminase and uracil-DNA glycosylase inhibitor were sequentially fused to T7 RNA polymerase using flexible linkers to build the CgMutaT7 system, which introduces mutations in targeted regions controlled by the T7 promoter. After a series of optimizations, the resulting targeted mutagenesis system (CgMutaT74) can increase the mutant frequency of the target gene by 1.12 × 104-fold, with low off-target mutant frequency. Subsequently, high-throughput sequencing further revealed that the CgMutaT74 system performs efficient and uniform C → T transitions in at least a 1.8 kb DNA region. Finally, the xylose isomerase was successfully continuously evolved by CgMutaT74 to improve the xylose utilization, indicating that the CgMutaT7 system has great potential for applications in the continuous evolution of protein function and expression components.

A DMSO-assisted iridium(III) complex as a luminescent "turn-on" sensor for selective detection of L-histidine and bacterial imaging

Histidine (His) is a semi-essential amino acid and a unique key neurotransmitter involved in numerous physiological processes. An excessive or deficient amount of His in the body can lead to various related diseases. However, since the chemical structures of L-His and its metabolites (such as histamine (Ha), imidazole-4-acetate (ImA), etc.) are very similar, simple and efficient selective detection of L-His and its related metabolites is of great importance but remains a great challenge. Herein, we successfully designed and synthesized a DMSO-assisted iridium(III) complex (Ir1-DMSO), which can be applied as a "turn-on" photoluminescence (PL) probe for the selective detection and quantification of L-His/Ha. More importantly, Ir1-DMSO exhibited good sensitivity, high selectivity, and anti-interference capability for L-His/Ha/His-containing proteins, which is advantageous due to its simple fabrication and low technical demands. This was attributed to the reaction of Ir1-DMSO with imidazole and amino groups of L-His/Ha. Furthermore, we show the utility of Ir1-DMSO as a PL imaging agent in cultures of E. coli and S. aureus. Considering its diversity of composition and structural flexibility, it can be extended to other solvents and Ir-ligand complexes for various analyses based on specific molecular recognition sensing platforms.

Paradigm shift in xylose isomerase usage: a novel scenario with distinct applications

Isomerases are enzymes that induce physical changes in a molecule without affecting the original molecular formula. Among this class of enzymes, xylose isomerases (XIs) are the most studied to date, partly due to their extensive application in industrial processes to produce high-fructose corn sirups. In recent years, the need for sustainable initiatives has triggered efforts to improve the biobased economy through the use of renewable raw materials. In this context, D-xylose usage is crucial as it is the second-most abundant sugar in nature. The application of XIs in biotransforming xylose, enabling downstream metabolism in several microorganisms, is a smart strategy for ensuring a low-carbon footprint and producing several value-added biochemicals with broad industrial applications such as in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and polymer industries. Considering recent advancements that have expanded the range of applications of XIs, this review provides a comprehensive and concise overview of XIs, from their primary sources to the biochemical and structural features that influence their mechanisms of action. This comprehensive review may help address the challenges involved in XI applications in different industries and facilitate the exploitation of xylose bioprocesses.

Identification of a Novel Cobamide Remodeling Enzyme in the Beneficial Human Gut Bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila

Cobamides, comprising the vitamin B₁₂ family of cobalt-containing cofactors, are required for metabolism in all domains of life, including most bacteria. Cobamides have structural variability in the lower ligand, and selectivity for particular cobamides has been observed in most organisms studied to date.

The beneficial human gut bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila provides metabolites to other members of the gut microbiota by breaking down host mucin, but most of its other metabolic functions have not been investigated. A. muciniphila strain Muc^T is known to use cobamides, the vitamin B₁₂ family of cofactors with structural diversity in the lower ligand. However, A. muciniphila Muc^T is unable to synthesize cobamides de novo, and the specific forms that can be used by A. muciniphila have not been examined. We found that the levels of growth of A. muciniphila Muc^T were nearly identical with each of seven cobamides tested, in contrast to nearly all bacteria that had been studied previously. Unexpectedly, this promiscuity is due to cobamide remodeling—the removal and replacement of the lower ligand—despite the absence of the canonical remodeling enzyme CbiZ in A. muciniphila. We identified a novel enzyme, CbiR, that is capable of initiating the remodeling process by hydrolyzing the phosphoribosyl bond in the nucleotide loop of cobamides. CbiR does not share similarity with other cobamide remodeling enzymes or B₁₂-binding domains and is instead a member of the apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease 2 enzyme superfamily. We speculate that CbiR enables bacteria to repurpose cobamides that they cannot otherwise use in order to grow under cobamide-requiring conditions; this function was confirmed by heterologous expression of cbiR in Escherichia coli. Homologs of CbiR are found in over 200 microbial taxa across 22 phyla, suggesting that many bacteria may use CbiR to gain access to the diverse cobamides present in their environment.

Engineered glucose isomerase from Streptomyces sp. SK is resistant to Ca2+ inhibition and Co2+ independent

The role of two amino acid residues linked to the two catalytic histidines His54 and His220 in kinetics and physicochemical properties of the Streptomyces sp. SK glucose isomerase (SKGI) was investigated by site-directed mutagenesis and molecular modeling. Two single mutations, F53L and G219D, and a double mutation F53L/G219D was introduced into the xylA SKGI gene. The F53L mutation increases the thermostability and the catalytic efficiency and also slightly shifts the optimum pH from 6.5 to 7, but displays a profile being similar to that of the wild-type enzyme concerning the effect of various metal ions. The G219D mutant is resistant to calcium inhibition retaining about 80% of its residual activity in 10 mM Ca2+ instead of 10% for the wild-type. This variant is activated by Mn2+ ions, but not Co2+, as seen for the wild-type enzyme. It does not require the latter for its thermostability, but has its half-life time displaced from 50 to 20 min at 85°C. The double mutation F53L/G219D restores the thermostability as seen for the wild-type enzyme while maintaining the resistance to the calcium inhibition. Molecular modeling suggests that the increase in thermostability is due to new hydrophobic interactions stabilizing α2 helix and that the resistance to calcium inhibition is a result of narrowing the binding site of catalytic ion.

D-xylose isomerase from a marine bacterium, Vibrio sp. strain XY-214, and D-xylulose production from β-1,3-xylan

The xylA gene from a marine bacterium, Vibrio sp. strain XY-214, encoding D-xylose isomerase (XylA) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The xylA gene consisted of 1,320-bp nucleotides encoding a protein of 439 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 49,264. XylA was classified into group II xylose isomerases. The native XylA was estimated to be a homotetramer with a molecular mass of 190 kDa. The purified recombinant XylA exhibited maximal activity at 60°C and pH 7.5. Its apparent K (m) values for D-xylose and D-glucose were 7.93 and 187 mM, respectively. Furthermore, we carried out D-xylulose production from β-1,3-xylan, a major cell wall polysaccharide component of the killer alga Caulerpa taxifolia. The synergistic action of β-1,3-xylanase (TxyA) and β-1,3-xylosidase (XloA) from Vibrio sp. strain XY-214 enabled efficient saccharification of β-1,3-xylan to D-xylose. D-xylose was then converted to D-xylulose by using XylA from the strain XY-214. The conversion rate of D-xylose to D-xylulose by XylA was found to be approximately 40% in the presence of 4 mM sodium tetraborate after 2 h of incubation. These results demonstrated that TxyA, XloA, and XylA from Vibrio sp. strain XY-214 are useful tools for D-xylulose production from β-1,3-xylan. Because D-xylulose can be used as a source for ethanol fermentation by yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the present study will provide a basis for ethanol production from β-1,3-xylan.

Kinetic modeling to optimize pentose fermentation inZymomonas mobilis

Zymomonas mobilis engineered to express four heterologous enzymes required for xylose utilization ferments xylose along with glucose. A network of pentose phosphate (PP) pathway enzymatic reactions interacting with the native glycolytic Entner Doudoroff (ED) pathway has been hypothesized. We have investigated this putative reaction network by developing a kinetic model incorporating all of the enzymatic reactions of the PP and ED pathways, including those catalyzed by the heterologous enzymes. Starting with the experimental literature on in vitro characterization of each enzymatic reaction, we have developed a kinetic model to enable dynamic simulation of intracellular metabolite concentrations along the network of interacting PP and ED metabolic pathways. This kinetic model is useful for performing in silico simulations to predict how varying the different enzyme concentrations will affect intracellular metabolite concentrations and ethanol production rate during continuous fermentation of glucose and xylose mixtures. Among the five enzymes whose concentrations were varied as inputs to the model, ethanol production in the continuous fermentor was optimized when xylose isomerase (XI) was present at the highest level, followed by transaldolase (TAL). Predictions of the model that the interconnecting enzyme phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) does not need to be overexpressed were recently confirmed through experimental investigations. Through such systematic analysis, we can develop efficient strategies for maximizing the fermentation of both glucose and xylose, while minimizing the expression of heterologous enzymes.

Influence of divalent cations on the structural thermostability and thermal inactivation kinetics of class II xylose isomerases

The effects of divalent metal cations on structural thermostability and the inactivation kinetics of homologous class II d-xylose isomerases (XI; EC 5.3.1.5) from mesophilic (Escherichia coli and Bacillus licheniformis), thermophilic (Thermoanaerobacterium thermosulfurigenes), and hyperthermophilic (Thermotoga neapolitana) bacteria were examined. Unlike the three less thermophilic XIs that were substantially structurally stabilized in the presence of Co2+ or Mn2+ (and Mg2+ to a lesser extent), the melting temperature [(Tm) approximately 100 degrees C] of T. neapolitana XI (TNXI) varied little in the presence or absence of a single type of metal. In the presence of any two of these metals, TNXI exhibited a second melting transition between 110 degrees C and 114 degrees C. TNXI kinetic inactivation, which was non-first order, could be modeled as a two-step sequential process. TNXI inactivation in the presence of 5 mm metal at 99-100 degrees C was slowest in the presence of Mn2+[half-life (t(1/2)) of 84 min], compared to Co2+ (t(1/2) of 14 min) and Mg2+ (t(1/2) of 2 min). While adding Co2+ to Mg2+ increased TNXI's t(1/2) at 99-100 degrees C from 2 to 7.5 min, TNXI showed no significant activity at temperatures above the first melting transition. The results reported here suggest that, unlike the other class II XIs examined, single metals are required for TNXI activity, but are not essential for its structural thermostability. The structural form corresponding to the second melting transition of TNXI in the presence of two metals is not known, but likely results from cooperative interactions between dissimilar metals in the two metal binding sites.

Restoration of a defective Lactococcus lactis xylose isomerase

The genes (xylA) encoding xylose isomerase (XI) from two Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis strains, 210 (Xyl(-)) and IO-1 (Xyl(+)), were cloned, and the activities of their expressed proteins in recombinant strains of Escherichia coli were investigated. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence homologies between the xylA genes were 98.4 and 98.6%, respectively, and only six amino acid residues differed between the two XIs. The purified IO-1 XI was soluble with K(m) and k(cat) being 2.25 mM and 184/s, respectively, while the 210 XI was insoluble and inactive. Site-directed mutagenesis on 210 xylA showed that a triple mutant possessing R202M/Y218D/V275A mutations regained XI activity and was soluble. The K(m) and k(cat) of this mutant were 4.15 mM and 141/s, respectively. One of the IO-1 XI mutants, S388T, was insoluble and showed negligible activity similar to that of 210 XI. The introduction of a K407E mutation to the IO-1 S388T XI mutant restored its activity and solubility. The dissolution of XI activity in L. lactis subsp. lactis involves a series of mutations that collectively eliminate enzyme activity by reducing the solubility of the enzyme.

Bivalent cations and amino-acid composition contribute to the thermostability of Bacillus licheniformis xylose isomerase

Comparative analysis of genome sequence data from mesophilic and hyperthermophilic micro-organisms has revealed a strong bias against specific thermolabile amino-acid residues (i.e. N and Q) in hyperthermophilic proteins. The N + Q content of class II xylose isomerases (XIs) from mesophiles, moderate thermophiles, and hyperthermophiles was examined. It was found to correlate inversely with the growth temperature of the source organism in all cases examined, except for the previously uncharacterized XI from Bacillus licheniformis DSM13 (BLXI), which had an N + Q content comparable to that of homologs from much more thermophilic sources. To determine whether BLXI behaves as a thermostable enzyme, it was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the thermostability and activity properties of the recombinant enzyme were studied. Indeed, it was optimally active at 70-72 degrees C, which is significantly higher than the optimal growth temperature (37 degrees C) of B. licheniformis. The kinetic properties of BLXI, determined at 60 degrees C with glucose and xylose as substrates, were comparable to those of other class II XIs. The stability of BLXI was dependent on the metallic cation present in its two metal-binding sites. The enzyme thermostability increased in the order apoenzyme < Mg2+-enzyme < Co2+-enzyme approximately Mn2+-enzyme, with melting temperatures of 50.3 degrees C, 53.3 degrees C, 73.4 degrees C, and 73.6 degrees C. BLXI inactivation was first-order in all conditions examined. The energy of activation for irreversible inactivation was also strongly influenced by the metal present, ranging from 342 kJ x mol(-1) (apoenzyme) to 604 kJ x mol(-1) (Mg2+-enzyme) to 1166 kJ x mol(-1) (Co2+-enzyme). These results suggest that the first irreversible event in BLXI unfolding is the release of one or both of its metals from the active site. Although N + Q content was an indicator of thermostability for class II XIs, this pattern may not hold for other sets of homologous enzymes. In fact, the extremely thermostable alpha-amylase from B. licheniformis was found to have an average N + Q content compared with homologous enzymes from a variety of mesophilic and thermophilic sources. Thus, it would appear that protein thermostability is a function of more complex molecular determinants than amino-acid content alone.

Diphtheria toxin NAD affinity and ADP ribosyltransferase activity are reduced at tryptophan 153 substitutions for alanine or phenylalanine

Previous studies on chemical modifications of diphtheria toxin (DT) fragment A have suggested that the Trp153 amino acid residue is essential for the ADP ribosylation of elongation factor 2. We verified this experimentally after replacing Trp153 by Phe or Ala residues through in vitro mutagenesis of a cloned toxin gene fragment. Each of the mutant fragment A forms were found to reveal a reduced ADP ribosyl transferase (ADPRT) activity as well as lower affinity for NAD. Both ADPRT activity and NAD affinity of DT fragment A were only partially destroyed by nearly synonymous Trp153 ==> Phe153 substitution, but dramatically destroyed by Ala153 substitution. At the same time, each of the mutant fragment A forms appeared to be thermostable, suggesting that the mutations do not dramatically destroy the structure of the protein. These results clearly demonstrate that Trp153 is not highly specific for DT fragment A structure maintenance, but is highly specific for the key toxin functions such as ADP ribosylation of elongation factor 2 and NAD binding. We suggest that the Trp153 role in DT functioning may be that of binding the ribose moiety of NAD, which is crucial for DT catalytic activity and hence for toxicity.

Thermozymes

Enzymes synthesized by thermophiles (organisms with optimal growth temperatures > 60 degrees C) and hyperthermophiles (optimal growth temperatures > 80 degrees C) are typically thermostable (resistant to irreversible inactivation at high temperatures) and thermophilic (optimally active at high temperatures, i.e., > 60 degrees C). These enzymes, called thermozymes, share catalytic mechanisms with their mesophilic counterparts. When cloned and expressed in mesophilic hosts, thermozymes usually retain their thermal properties, suggesting that these properties are genetically encoded. Sequence alignments, amino acid content comparisons, and crystal structure comparisons indicate that thermozymes are, indeed, very similar to mesophilic enzymes. No obvious sequence or structural features account for enzyme thermostability and thermophilicity. Thermostability and thermophilicity molecular mechanisms are varied, differing from enzyme to enzyme. Thermostability and thermophilicity are usually caused by the accumulation of numerous subtle sequence differences. This review concentrates on the mechanisms involved in enzyme thermostability and thermophilicity. Their relationships with protein rigidity and flexibility and with protein folding and unfolding are discussed. Intrinsic stabilizing forces (e.g., salt bridges, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions) and extrinsic stabilizing factors are examined. Finally, thermozymes' potential as catalysts for industrial processes and specialty uses are discussed, and lines of development (through new applications, and protein engineering) are also proposed.

Thermotoga neapolitana homotetrameric xylose isomerase is expressed as a catalytically active and thermostable dimer in Escherichia coli

The xylA gene from Thermotoga neapolitana 5068 was expressed in Escherichia coli. Gel filtration chromatography showed that the recombinant enzyme was both a homodimer and a homotetramer, with the dimer being the more abundant form. The purified native enzyme, however, has been shown to be exclusively tetrameric. The two enzyme forms had comparable stabilities when they were thermoinactivated at 95 degrees C. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed thermal transitions at 99 and 109.5 degrees C for both forms, with an additional shoulder at 91 degrees C for the tetramer. These results suggest that the association of the subunits into the tetrameric form may have little impact on the stability and biocatalytic properties of the enzyme.

Molecular and industrial aspects of glucose isomerase

Glucose isomerase (GI) (D-xylose ketol-isomerase; EC. 5.3.1.5) catalyzes the reversible isomerization of D-glucose and D-xylose to D-fructose and D-xylulose, respectively. The enzyme has the largest market in the food industry because of its application in the production of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS, an equilibrium mixture of glucose and fructose, is 1.3 times sweeter than sucrose and serves as a sweetener for use by diabetics. Interconversion of xylose to xylulose by GI serves a nutritional requirement in saprophytic bacteria and has a potential application in the bioconversion of hemicellulose to ethanol. The enzyme is widely distributed in prokaryotes. Intensive research efforts are directed toward improving its suitability for industrial application. Development of microbial strains capable of utilizing xylan-containing raw materials for growth or screening for constitutive mutants of GI is expected to lead to discontinuation of the use of xylose as an inducer for the production of the enzyme. Elimination of Co2+ from the fermentation medium is desirable for avoiding health problems arising from human consumption of HFCS. Immobilization of GI provides an efficient means for its easy recovery and reuse and lowers the cost of its use. X-ray crystallographic and genetic engineering studies support a hydride shift mechanism for the action of GI. Cloning of GI in homologous as well as heterologous hosts has been carried out, with the prime aim of overproducing the enzyme and deciphering the genetic organization of individual genes (xylA, xylB, and xylR) in the xyl operon of different microorganisms. The organization of xylA and xylB seems to be highly conserved in all bacteria. The two genes are transcribed from the same strand in Escherichia coli and Bacillus and Lactobacillus species, whereas they are transcribed divergently on different strands in Streptomyces species. A comparison of the xylA sequences from several bacterial sources revealed the presence of two signature sequences, VXW(GP)GREG(YSTAE)E and (LIVM)EPKPX(EQ)P. The use of an inexpensive inducer in the fermentation medium devoid of Co2+ and redesigning of a tailor-made GI with increased thermostability, higher affinity for glucose, and lower pH optimum will contribute significantly to the development of an economically feasible commercial process for enzymatic isomerization of glucose to fructose. Manipulation of the GI gene by site-directed mutagenesis holds promise that a GI suitable for biotechnological applications will be produced in the foreseeable future.

Molecular and industrial aspects of glucose isomerase

Glucose isomerase (GI) (D-xylose ketol-isomerase; EC. 5.3.1.5) catalyzes the reversible isomerization of D-glucose and D-xylose to D-fructose and D-xylulose, respectively. The enzyme has the largest market in the food industry because of its application in the production of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS, an equilibrium mixture of glucose and fructose, is 1.3 times sweeter than sucrose and serves as a sweetener for use by diabetics. Interconversion of xylose to xylulose by GI serves a nutritional requirement in saprophytic bacteria and has a potential application in the bioconversion of hemicellulose to ethanol. The enzyme is widely distributed in prokaryotes. Intensive research efforts are directed toward improving its suitability for industrial application. Development of microbial strains capable of utilizing xylan-containing raw materials for growth or screening for constitutive mutants of GI is expected to lead to discontinuation of the use of xylose as an inducer for the production of the enzyme. Elimination of Co2+ from the fermentation medium is desirable for avoiding health problems arising from human consumption of HFCS. Immobilization of GI provides an efficient means for its easy recovery and reuse and lowers the cost of its use. X-ray crystallographic and genetic engineering studies support a hydride shift mechanism for the action of GI. Cloning of GI in homologous as well as heterologous hosts has been carried out, with the prime aim of overproducing the enzyme and deciphering the genetic organization of individual genes (xylA, xylB, and xylR) in the xyl operon of different microorganisms. The organization of xylA and xylB seems to be highly conserved in all bacteria. The two genes are transcribed from the same strand in Escherichia coli and Bacillus and Lactobacillus species, whereas they are transcribed divergently on different strands in Streptomyces species. A comparison of the xylA sequences from several bacterial sources revealed the presence of two signature sequences, VXW(GP)GREG(YSTAE)E and (LIVM)EPKPX(EQ)P. The use of an inexpensive inducer in the fermentation medium devoid of Co2+ and redesigning of a tailor-made GI with increased thermostability, higher affinity for glucose, and lower pH optimum will contribute significantly to the development of an economically feasible commercial process for enzymatic isomerization of glucose to fructose. Manipulation of the GI gene by site-directed mutagenesis holds promise that a GI suitable for biotechnological applications will be produced in the foreseeable future.

Protein purification, and cloning and characterization of the cDNA and gene for xylose isomerase of barley

The first eukaryotic xylose isomerase protein was purified from barley Hordeum vulgare. The enzyme requires Mn2+ for its activity and is fairly thermostable, with the optimum temperature being 60 degrees C. It showed maximum activity over a broad pH range (7.0-9.0). The molecular mass of the monomer was about 50,000 Da based on the SDS/PAGE, and the calculated value from the cDNA-deduced polypeptide sequence was 53,620 Da. A relative mass estimation of 100,000 Da was obtained from the Superose 12 chromatography, suggesting that the barley enzyme is a dimer. The cloned corresponding cDNA sequence of 1710 nucleotides encoded a polypeptide of 480 amino acids. The genomic sequence of 4473 nucleotides, revealed that the isomerase gene contained 20 introns, all starting with GT and ending with AG. One large intron was located in the 5'untranslated region. The barley isomerase has an insertion of about 40 residues at its amino terminus when compared to the prokaryotic cluster (family) II isomerases; cluster (family) I and cluster (family) II isomerases vary from the former in an insertion of around 50 residues at their amino termini. Comparison of the barley protein with the prokaryotic isomerases shows that the conserved catalytic and metal binding regions are also well conserved in barley.

Probing the roles of active site residues in D-xylose isomerase

The roles of active site residues His54, Phe94, Lys183, and His220 in the Streptomyces rubiginosus D-xylose isomerase were probed by site-directed mutagenesis. The kinetic properties and crystal structures of the mutant enzymes were characterized. The pH dependence of diethylpyrocarbonate modification of His54 suggests that His54 does not catalyze ring-opening as a general acid. His54 appears to be involved in anomeric selection and stabilization of the acyclic transition state by hydrogen bonding. Phe94 stabilizes the acyclic-extended transition state directly by hydrophobic interactions and/or indirectly by interactions with Trp137 and Phe26. Lys183 and His220 mutants have little or no activity and the structures of these mutants with D-xylose reveal cyclic alpha-D-xylopyranose. Lys183 functions structurally by maintaining the position of Pro187 and Glu186 and catalytically by interacting with acyclic-extended sugars. His220 provides structure for the M2-metal binding site with properties which are necessary for extension and isomerization of the substrate. A second M2 metal binding site (M2') is observed at a relatively lower occupancy when substrate is added consistent with the hypothesis that the metal moves as the hydride is shifted on the extended substrate.

X-ray crystallographic structures of D-xylose isomerase-substrate complexes position the substrate and provide evidence for metal movement during catalysis

The X-ray crystallographic structures of the metal-activated enzyme xylose isomerase from Streptomyces olivochromogenes with the substrates D-glucose, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose and in the absence of substrate were determined to 1.96-, 2.19-, and 1.81-A resolution and refined to R-factors of 16.6%, 15.9%, and 16.1%, respectively. Xylose isomerase catalyzes the interconversion between glucose and fructose (xylose and xylulose under physiological conditions) by utilizing two metal cofactors to promote a hydride shift; the metals are bridged by a glutamate residue. This puts xylose isomerase in the small but rapidly growing family of enzymes with a bridged bimetallic active site, in which both metals are involved in the chemical transformation. The substrate 3-O-methylglucose was chosen in order to position the glucose molecule in the observed electron density unambiguously. Of the two essential magnesium ions per active site, Mg-2 was observed to occupy two alternate positions, separated by 1.8 A, in the substrate-soaked structures. The deduced movement was not observed in the structure without substrate present and is attributed to a step following substrate binding but prior to isomerization. The substrates glucose and 3-O-methylglucose are observed in their linear extended forms and make identical interactions with the enzyme by forming ligands to Mg-1 through O2 and O4 and by forming hydrogen bonds with His53 through O5 and Lys182 through O1. Mg-2 has a water ligand that is interpreted in the crystal structure in the absence of substrate as a hydroxide ion and in the presence of substrate as a water molecule. This hydroxide ion may act as a base to deprotonate the glucose O2 and subsequently protonate the product fructose O1 concomitant with hydride transfer. Calculations of the solvent-accessible surface of possible dimers, with and without the alpha-helical C-terminal domain, suggest that the tetramer is the active form of this xylose isomerase.

Functions of the gene products of Escherichia coli

A list of currently identified gene products of Escherichia coli is given, together with a bibliography that provides pointers to the literature on each gene product. A scheme to categorize cellular functions is used to classify the gene products of E. coli so far identified. A count shows that the numbers of genes concerned with small-molecule metabolism are on the same order as the numbers concerned with macromolecule biosynthesis and degradation. One large category is the category of tRNAs and their synthetases. Another is the category of transport elements. The categories of cell structure and cellular processes other than metabolism are smaller. Other subjects discussed are the occurrence in the E. coli genome of redundant pairs and groups of genes of identical or closely similar function, as well as variation in the degree of density of genetic information in different parts of the genome.

Anomeric specificity of D-xylose isomerase

Crystal structures of complexes of D-xylose isomerase with deoxysugars have been determined. Deoxynojirimycin is a structural analogue of alpha-pyranose and mimics the binding of these aldose substrates. The structure of this complex supports the hypothesis that an imidazole group catalyzes ring opening of the pyranose. The steric restrictions in the active site of the enzyme prevent a beta-pyranose from binding in the same way. For the reverse reaction with ketoses, the anomeric specificity is less certain. Dideoxyimino-D-glucitol is a structural analogue of the ketose alpha-D-furanose. The binding of the inhibitor dideoxyimino-D-glucitol to the crystals of the enzyme does not mimic the binding of the reactive alpha-D-fructofuranose. Superposition of the nonphysiological substrate alpha-D-fructofuranose onto the atomic positions of dideoxyimino-D-glucitol is not possible due to the steric restrictions of the active site. However, by utilizing the approximate 2-fold symmetry of the sugar, a stereochemically sensible model is produced which is consistent with other data. In addition to reaction with alpha-D-furanose, the enzyme probably reacts with open ring keto sugars which are present at significant concentrations. Other sugars which resemble furanoses either do not inhibit significantly or are not observed in the crystals bound in a single conformation.

Cloning and expression of the genes for xylose isomerase and xylulokinase from Klebsiella pneumoniae 1033 in Escherichia coli K12

The genes xylA and xylB were cloned together with their promoter region from the chromosome of Klebsiella pneumoniae var. aerogenes 1033 and the DNA sequence (3225 bp) was determined. The gene xylA encodes the enzyme xylose isomerase (XI or XylA) consisting of 440 amino acids (calculated M(r) of 49,793). The gene xylB encodes the enzyme xylulokinase (XK or XylB) with a calculated M(r) of 51,783 (483 amino acids). The two genes successfully complemented xyl mutants of Escherichia coli K12, but no gene dosage effect was detected. E. coli wild-type cells which harbored plasmids with the intact xylAKp 5' upstream region in high copy number (but lacking an active xylB gene on the plasmids) were phenotypically xylose-negative and xylose isomerase and xylulokinase activities were drastically diminished. Deletion of 5' upstream regions of xylA on these plasmids and their substitution by a lac promoter resulted in a xylose-positive phenotype. This also resulted in overproduction of plasmid-encoded xylose isomerase and xylulokinase activities in recombinant E. coli cells.

Protein engineering of xylose (glucose) isomerase from Actinoplanes missouriensis. 2. Site-directed mutagenesis of the xylose binding site

Site-directed mutagenesis in the active site of xylose isomerase derived from Actinoplanes missouriensis is used to investigate the structural and functional role of specific residues. The mutagenesis work together with the crystallographic studies presented in detail in two accompanying papers adds significantly to the understanding of the catalytic mechanism of this enzyme. Changes caused by introduced mutations emphasize the correlation between substrate specificity and cation preference. Mutations in both His 220 and His 54 mainly affect the catalytic rate constant, with catalysis being severely reduced but not abolished, suggesting that both histidines are important, but not essential, for catalysis. Our results thus challenge the hypothesis that His 54 acts as an obligatory catalytic base for ring opening; this residue appears instead to be implicated in governing the anomeric specificity. With none of the active site histidines acting as a catalytic base, the role of the cations in catalyzing proton transfer is confirmed. In addition, Lys 183 appears to play a crucial part in the isomerization step, by assisting the proton shuttle. Other residues also are important but to a lesser extent. The conserved Lys 294 is indirectly involved in binding the activating cations. Among the active site aromatic residues, the tryptophans (16 and 137) play a role in maintaining the general architecture of the substrate binding site while the role of Phe 26 seems to be purely structural.

Organization and characterization of three genes involved in D-xylose catabolism in Lactobacillus pentosus

A cluster of three genes involved in D-xylose catabolism (viz. xylose genes) in Lactobacillus pentosus has been cloned in Escherichia coli and characterized by nucleotide sequence analysis. The deduced gene products show considerable sequence similarity to a repressor protein involved in the regulation of expression of xylose genes in Bacillus subtilis (58%), to E. coli and B. subtilis D-xylose isomerase (68% and 77%, respectively), and to E. coli D-xylulose kinase (58%). The cloned genes represent functional xylose genes since they are able to complement the inability of a L. casei strain to ferment D-xylose. NMR analysis confirmed that 13C-xylose was converted into 13C-acetate in L. casei cells transformed with L. pentosus xylose genes but not in untransformed L. casei cells. Comparison with the aligned amino acid sequences of D-xylose isomerases of different bacteria suggests that L. pentosus D-xylose isomerase belongs to the same similarity group as B. subtilis and E. coli D-xylose isomerase and not to a second similarity group comprising D-xylose isomerases of Streptomyces violaceoniger, Ampullariella sp. and Actinoplanes. The organization of the L. pentosus xylose genes, 5'-xylR (1167 bp, repressor) - xylA (1350 bp, D-xylose isomerase) - xylB (1506 bp, D-xylulose kinase) - 3' is similar to that in B. subtilis. In contrast to B. subtilis xylR, L. pentosus xylR is transcribed in the same direction as xylA and xylB.

Molecular cloning, structure, promoters and regulatory elements for transcription of the Bacillus licheniformis encoded regulon for xylose utilization

In this article we describe the cloning of the xyl regulon encoding xylose utilization from Bacillus licheniformis by complementation of a xyl mutant of B. subtilis. The xylose isomerase encoding gene, xylA, was sequenced and identified by its extensive homology to other xylose isomerases. The expression of xylA is regulated on the level of transcription by a repressor protein encoded by xylR. Its gene has the opposite orientation of xylA and the start codons are 181 bp apart. A deletion of xylR renders xylA expression constitutive. The xylR sequence was determined and is discussed with respect to its homology to other xylR structures. Primer extension analyses of the xylA and xylR transcripts under repressing and including conditions define their promoters and confirm the regulation of xylA transcription. Furthermore, some induction of the xylR transcript by xylose is also observed. The regulatory sequence of both genes consists of a bipolar promoter system and contains three palindromic sequence elements. Their potential functions with respect to xylA and xylR regulation are discussed. The primary structures of the genes, promoters and regulatory sequences are compared to the xyl regulons encoded by B. subtilis, B. megaterium, Staphylococcus xylosus and E. coli. Homology is greatest between the B. subtilis and B. megaterium encoded xyl genes while the B. licheniformis borne genes are clearly more distant. The next greater differences are found to the S. xylosus and the greatest to the E. coli encoded genes. These results are discussed with respect to the taxonomic relations of these bacteria.