Effect of conformational dynamics on substrate recognition and specificity as probed by the introduction of a de novo disulfide bond into cytochrome P450 2B1

A General Method to Screen Nanobodies for Cytochrome P450 Enzymes from a Yeast Surface Display Library

The availability of yeast surface display nanobody (Nb) libraries offers a convenient way to acquire antigen-specific nanobodies that may be useful for protein structure-function studies and/or therapeutic applications, complementary to the conventional method of acquiring nanobodies through immunization in camelids. In this study, we developed a general approach to select nanobodies for cytochrome P450 enzymes from a highly diverse yeast display library. We tested our method on three P450 enzymes including CYP102A1, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and the complex of CYP2B4:POR, using a novel streamlined approach where biotinylated P450s were bound to fluorescent-labeled streptavidin for Nb screening. The Nb-antigen binders were selectively enriched using magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). After two rounds of MACS, the population of positive binders was enriched by >5-fold compared to the naïve library. The subsequent FACS selection, with a gating of 0.1%, identified 634, 270, and 215 positive binders for CYP102A1, nNOS, and CYP2B4:POR, respectively. The positive binders for CYP102A1 were further triaged based on EC50 determined at various antigen concentrations. DNA sequencing of the top 30 binders of CYP102A1 resulted in 26 unique clones, 8 of which were selected for over-expression and characterization. They were found to inhibit CYP102A1-catalyzed oxidation of omeprazole with IC50 values in the range of 0.16-2.8 µM. These results validate our approach and may be applied to other protein targets for the effective selection of specific nanobodies.

Functional metalloenzymes based on myoglobin and neuroglobin that exploit covalent interactions

Globins, such as myoglobin (Mb) and neuroglobin (Ngb), are ideal protein scaffolds for the design of functional metalloenzymes. To date, numerous approaches have been developed for enzyme design. This review presents a summary of the progress made in the design of functional metalloenzymes based on Mb and Ngb, with a focus on the exploitation of covalent interactions, including coordination bonds and covalent modifications. These include the construction of a metal-binding site, the incorporation of a non-native metal cofactor, the formation of Cys/Tyr-heme covalent links, and the design of disulfide bonds, as well as other Cys-covalent modifications. As exemplified by recent studies from our group and others, the designed metalloenzymes have potential applications in biocatalysis and bioconversions. Furthermore, we discuss the current trends in the design of functional metalloenzymes and highlight the importance of covalent interactions in the design of functional metalloenzymes.

Key regulators in the architecture of substrate access/egress channels in mammalian cytochromes P450 governing flexibility in substrate oxyfunctionalization

Cytochrome P450s (CYP) represent a superfamily of b-type hemoproteins catalyzing oxifunctionalization of a vast array of endogenous and exogenous compounds. The present review focuses on assessment of the topology of prospective determinants in substrate entry and product release channels of mammalian P450s, steering the conformational dynamics of substrate accessibility and productive ligand orientation toward the iron-oxene core. Based on a generalized, CYP3A4-related construct, the sum of critical elements from diverse target enzymes was found to cluster within the known substrate recognition sites. The majority of prevalent substrate access/egress tunnels revealed to be of fairly balanced functional importance. The hydrophobicity profile of the candidates revealed to be the most salient feature in functional interaction throughout the conduits, while bulkiness of the residues imposes steric restrictions on substrate traveling. Thus, small amino acids such as prolines and glycines serve as hinges, driving conformational flexibility in ligand passage. Similarly, bottlenecks in the tunnel architecture, being narrowest encounter points within the CYP3A4 model, have a vital function in substrate selectivity along with clusters of aromatic amino acids acting as gatekeepers. In addition, peripheral patches in conduits may house determinants modulating allosteric cooperativity between remote and central domains in the P450 structure. Remarkably, the bulk critical residues lining tunnels in the various isozymes reside in helices B'/C and F/G inclusive of their interhelical turns as well as in helix I. This suggests these regions to represent hotspots for targeted genetic engineering to tailor more sophisticated mammalian P450s exploitable in industrial, biotechnological and medicinal areas.

Modelling altered signalling of G-protein coupled receptors in inflamed environment to advance drug design

We previously reported the successful design, synthesis and testing of the prototype opioid painkiller NFEPP that does not elicit adverse side effects. The design process of NFEPP was based on mathematical modelling of extracellular interactions between G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ligands, recognizing that GPCRs function differently under pathological versus healthy conditions. We now present an additional and novel stochastic model of GPCR function that includes intracellular dissociation of G-protein subunits and modulation of plasma membrane calcium channels and their dependence on parameters of inflamed and healthy tissue (pH, radicals). The model is validated against in vitro experimental data for the ligands NFEPP and fentanyl at different pH values and radical concentrations. We observe markedly reduced binding affinity and calcium channel inhibition for NFEPP at normal pH compared to lower pH, in contrast to the effect of fentanyl. For increasing radical concentrations, we find enhanced constitutive G-protein activation but reduced ligand binding affinity. Assessing the different effects, the results suggest that, compared to radicals, low pH is a more important determinant of overall GPCR function in an inflamed environment. Future drug design efforts should take this into account.

Structural and functional regulations by a disulfide bond designed in myoglobin like human neuroglobin

An artificial disulfide bond (Cys46-Cys61) was designed in the heme distal site of myoglobin, which regulates the conformation of the heme distal His64 and the protein reactivity, as confirmed by X-ray crystallography, EPR, and kinetic UV-vis studies. This study shows the successful design of a disulfide bond with suitable positions in globins, conferring a structure and function like those of the native human neuroglobin.

Ternary Complex Formation and Photoactivation of a Photoenzyme Results in Altered Protein Dynamics

The interplay between protein dynamics and catalysis remains a fundamental question in enzymology. We here investigate the ns-timescale dynamics of a light-dependent NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (LPOR), a photoenzyme crucial for chlorophyll synthesis. LPORs catalyze the light-triggered trans addition of a hydride and a proton across the C17═C18 double bond of the chlorophyll precursor protochlorophyllide (Pchlide). Because of the lack of an LPOR structure, the global structural and dynamic consequences of LPOR/Pchlide/NADPH ternary complex formation remain elusive. Moreover, photoactivation of LPORs by low-light preillumination is controversially discussed as unequivocal proof for this phenomenon is lacking. By employing quasielastic neutron spectroscopy (QENS), we show that the formation of the ternary holoprotein complex as well as photoactivation lead to progressive rigidification of the protein. These findings are supported by thermostability measurements, which reveal different melting behavior and thermostabilities for the apo- and holoprotein ternary complexes. Molecular dynamics simulations in good agreement with the experimental QENS results suggest that the increased flexibility observed for the apoprotein stems from structural fluctuations of the NADPH and Pchlide substrate binding sites of the enzyme. On the basis of our results, in conjunction with activity and stability measurements, we provide independent proof for LPOR photoactivation, defined as a process that modifies the protein structure and dynamics, resulting in an increased substrate turnover. Our findings advance the structural and dynamic understanding of LPORs and provide a first link between protein dynamics and catalysis for this enzyme class.

Four Major Channels Detected in the Cytochrome P450 3A4: A Step toward Understanding Its Multispecificity

We computed the network of channels of the 3A4 isoform of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) on the basis of 16 crystal structures extracted from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The calculations were performed with version 2 of the CCCPP software that we developed for this research project. We identified the minimal cost paths (MCPs) output by CCCPP as probable ways to access to the buried active site. The algorithm of calculation of the MCPs is presented in this paper, with its original method of visualization of the channels. We found that these MCPs constitute four major channels in CYP3A4. Among the many channels proposed by Cojocaru et al. in 2007, we found that only four of them open in 3A4. We provide a refined description of these channels together with associated quantitative data.

Enhancement of protein stability by an additional disulfide bond designed in human neuroglobin

Human neuroglobin (Ngb) forms an intramolecular disulfide bond between Cys46 and Cys55, with a third Cys120 near the protein surface, which is a promising protein model for heme protein design. In order to protect the free Cys120 and to enhance the protein stability, we herein developed a strategy by designing an additional disulfide bond between Cys120 and Cys15 via A15C mutation. The design was supported by molecular modeling, and the formation of Cys15–Cys120 disulfide bond was confirmed experimentally by ESI-MS analysis. Molecular modeling, UV-Vis and CD spectroscopy showed that the additional disulfide bond caused minimal structural alterations of Ngb. Meanwhile, the disulfide bond of Cys15–Cys120 was found to enhance both Gdn·HCl-induced unfolding stability (increased by ∼0.64 M) and pH-induced unfolding stability (decreased by ∼0.69 pH unit), as compared to those of WT Ngb with a single native disulfide bond of Cys46–Cys55. Moreover, the half denaturation temperature (T_m) of A15C Ngb was determined to be higher than 100 °C. In addition, the disulfide bond of Cys15–Cys120 has slight effects on protein function, such as an increase in the rate of O₂ release by ∼1.4-fold. This study not only suggests a crucial role of the artificial disulfide in protein stabilization, but also lays the groundwork for further investigation of the structure and function of Ngb, as well as for the design of other functional heme proteins, based on the scaffold of A15C Ngb with an enhanced stability.

A disulfide bond of Cys120 and Cys15 was rationally designed in human neuroglobin (Ngb) by A15C mutation, which caused minimal structural alterations, whereas enhanced both chemical and pH stability, with a thermal stability higher than 100 °C.

Use of an Isotope-Coded Mass Tag (ICMT) Method To Determine the Orientation of Cholesterol Oxidase on Model Membranes

Although the interfacial membrane protein cholesterol oxidase is structurally and kinetically well-characterized, its orientation in and mode of interaction with cholesterol-containing membranes have not been established. Cholesterol oxidase can alter the structure of the cell membrane in pathogenic bacteria and is thus a potential antimicrobial drug target. We recently developed a mass spectrometry-based isotope-coded mass tag (ICMT) labeling method to monitor the real-time solvent-accessible surface of peripheral membrane proteins, such as cholesterol oxidase. The ICMT strategy utilizes maleimide-based isotope tags that covalently react with cysteine residues. In this study, by comparing the ICMT labeling rates of cysteine variants of cholesterol oxidase, we determined which residues of the protein were engaged with the protein-lipid interface. We found that upon addition of cholesterol-containing lipid vesicles, four cysteine residues in a cluster near the substrate entrance channel are labeled more slowly with ICMT probes than in the absence of vesicles, indicating that these four residues were in contact with the membrane surface. From these data, we generated a model of how cholesterol oxidase is oriented when bound to the membrane. In conclusion, this straightforward method, which requires only microgram quantities of protein, offers several advantages over existing methods for the investigation of interfacial membrane proteins and can be applied to a number of different systems.

Ligand Access Channels in Cytochrome P450 Enzymes: A Review

Quantitative structure-activity relationships may bring invaluable information on structural elements of both enzymes and substrates that, together, govern substrate specificity. Buried active sites in cytochrome P450 enzymes are connected to the solvent by a network of channels exiting at the distal surface of the protein. This review presents different in silico tools that were developed to uncover such channels in P450 crystal structures. It also lists some of the experimental evidence that actually suggest that these predicted channels might indeed play a critical role in modulating P450 functions. Amino acid residues at the entrance of the channels may participate to a first global ligand recognition of ligands by P450 enzymes before they reach the buried active site. Moreover, different P450 enzymes show different networks of predicted channels. The plasticity of P450 structures is also important to take into account when looking at how channels might play their role.

Computational tools for the evaluation of laboratory-engineered biocatalysts

Biocatalysis is based on the application of natural catalysts for new purposes, for which enzymes were not designed. Although the first examples of biocatalysis were reported more than a century ago, biocatalysis was revolutionized after the discovery of an in vitro version of Darwinian evolution called Directed Evolution (DE). Despite the recent advances in the field, major challenges remain to be addressed. Currently, the best experimental approach consists of creating multiple mutations simultaneously while limiting the choices using statistical methods. Still, tens of thousands of variants need to be tested experimentally, and little information is available on how these mutations lead to enhanced enzyme proficiency. This review aims to provide a brief description of the available computational techniques to unveil the molecular basis of improved catalysis achieved by DE. An overview of the strengths and weaknesses of current computational strategies is explored with some recent representative examples. The understanding of how this powerful technique is able to obtain highly active variants is important for the future development of more robust computational methods to predict amino-acid changes needed for activity.

Discovery of a regioselectivity switch in nitrating P450s guided by molecular dynamics simulations and Markov models

The dynamic motions of protein structural elements, particularly flexible loops, are intimately linked with diverse aspects of enzyme catalysis. Engineering of these loop regions can alter protein stability, substrate binding, and even dramatically impact enzyme function. When these flexible regions are structurally unresolvable, computational reconstruction in combination with large-scale molecular dynamics simulations can be used to guide the engineering strategy. Here, we present a collaborative approach consisting of both experiment and computation that led to the discovery of a single mutation in the F/G loop of the nitrating cytochrome P450 TxtE that simultaneously controls loop dynamics and completely shifts the enzyme's regioselectivity from the C4 to the C5 position of L-tryptophan. Furthermore, we find that this loop mutation is naturally present in a subset of homologous nitrating P450s and confirm that these uncharacterized enzymes exclusively produce 5-nitro-L-tryptophan, a previously unknown biosynthetic intermediate.

Flavin-Protein Complexes: Aromatic Stacking Assisted by a Hydrogen Bond

Enzyme-catalyzed reactions often rely on a noncovalently bound cofactor whose reactivity is tuned by its immediate environment. Flavin cofactors, the most versatile catalyst encountered in biology, are often maintained within the protein throughout numbers of complex ionic and aromatic interactions. Here, we have investigated the role of π-π stacking and hydrogen bond interactions between a tyrosine and the isoalloxazine moiety of the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in an FAD-dependent RNA methyltransferase. Combining several static and time-resolved spectroscopies as well as biochemical approaches, we showed that aromatic stacking is assisted by a hydrogen bond between the phenol group and the amide of an adjacent active site loop. A mechanism of recognition and binding of the redox cofactor is proposed.

Advances in molecular modeling of human cytochrome P450 polymorphism

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is a supergene family of metabolizing enzymes involved in the phase I metabolism of drugs and endogenous compounds. CYP oxidation often leads to inactive drug metabolites or to highly toxic or carcinogenic metabolites involved in adverse drug reactions (ADR). During the last decade, the impact of CYP polymorphism in various drug responses and ADR has been demonstrated. Of the drugs involved in ADR, 56% are metabolized by polymorphic phase I metabolizing enzymes, 86% among them being CYP. Here, we review the major CYP polymorphic forms, their impact for drug response and current advances in molecular modeling of CYP polymorphism. We focus on recent studies exploring CYP polymorphism performed by the use of sequence-based and/or protein-structure-based computational approaches. The importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms related to CYP polymorphism and drug response at the atomic level is outlined.

Potent mechanism-based inactivation of cytochrome P450 2B4 by 9-ethynylphenanthrene: implications for allosteric modulation of cytochrome P450 catalysis

The mechanism-based inactivation of cytochrome P450 2B4 (CYP2B4) by 9-ethynylphenanthrene (9EP) has been investigated. The partition ratio and k(inact) are 0.2 and 0.25 min(-1), respectively. Intriguingly, the inactivation exhibits sigmoidal kinetics with a Hill coefficient of 2.5 and an S(50) of 4.5 μM indicative of homotropic cooperativity. Enzyme inactivation led to an increase in mass of the apo-CYP2B4 by 218 Da as determined by electrospray ionization liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, consistent with covalent protein modification. The modified CYP2B4 was purified to homogeneity and its structure determined by X-ray crystallography. The structure showed that 9EP is covalently attached to Oγ of Thr 302 via an ester bond, which is consistent with the increased mass of the protein. The presence of the bulky phenanthrenyl ring resulted in inward rotations of Phe 297 and Phe 206, leading to a compact active site. Thus, binding of another molecule of 9EP in the active site is prohibited. However, results from the quenching of 9EP fluorescence by unmodified or 9EP-modified CYP2B4 revealed at least two binding sites with distinct affinities, with the low-affinity site being the catalytic site and the high-affinity site on the protein periphery. Computer-aided docking and molecular dynamics simulations with one or two ligands bound revealed that the high-affinity site is situated at the entrance of a substrate access channel surrounded by the F' helix, β1-β2 loop, and β4 loop and functions as an allosteric site to enhance the efficiency of activation of the acetylenic group of 9EP and subsequent covalent modification of Thr 302.

Interactions between CYP2E1 and CYP2B4: effects on affinity for NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and substrate metabolism

Studies in microsomal and reconstituted systems have shown that the presence of one cytochrome P450 isoform can significantly influence the catalytic activity of another isoform. In this study, we assessed whether CYP2E1 could influence the catalytic activity of CYP2B4 under steady-state turnover conditions. The results show that CYP2E1 inhibits CYP2B4-mediated metabolism of benzphetamine (BNZ) with a K(i) of 0.04 µM. However, CYP2B4 is not an inhibitor of CYP2E1-mediated p-nitrophenol hydroxylation. When these inhibition studies were performed with the artificial oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide, CYP2E1 did not significantly inhibit CYP2B4 activity. Determinations of the apparent K(M) and k(cat) of CYP2B4 for CPR in the presence of increasing concentrations of CYP2E1 revealed a mixed inhibition of CYP2B4 by CYP2E1. At low concentrations of CYP2E1, the apparent K(M) of CYP2B4 for CPR increased up to 23-fold with virtually no change in the k(cat) for the reaction, however, at higher concentrations of CYP2E1, the apparent K(M) of CYP2B4 for CPR decreased to levels similar to those observed in the absence of CYP2E1 and the k(cat) also decreased by 11-fold. Additionally, CYP2E1 increased the apparent K(M) of CYP2B4 for BNZ by 8-fold and the apparent K(M) did not decrease to its original value when saturating concentrations of CPR were used. While the individual apparent K(M) values of CYP2B4 and CYP2E1 for CPR are similar, the apparent K(M) of CYP2E1 for CPR in the presence of CYP2B4 decreased significantly, thus suggesting that CYP2B4 enhances the affinity of CYP2E1 for CPR and this may allow CYP2E1 to out-compete CYP2B4 for CPR.

Inhibition of bupropion metabolism by selegiline: mechanism-based inactivation of human CYP2B6 and characterization of glutathione and peptide adducts

Selegiline, the R-enantiomer of deprenyl, is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Bupropion, an antidepressant, often used to treat patients in conjunction with selegiline, is metabolized primarily by CYP2B6. The effect of selegiline on the enzymatic activity of human cytochrome CYP2B6 in a reconstituted system and its effect on the metabolism of bupropion were examined. Selegiline was found to be a mechanism-based inactivator of the 7-ethoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)coumarin O-deethylation (7-EFC) activity of CYP2B6 as well as bupropion metabolism. The inactivations were time-, concentration-, and NADPH-dependent and were characterized by K(I) values of 0.14 and 0.6 μM, k(inact) values of 0.022 and 0.029 min⁻¹, and t(½) values of 31.5 and 24 min, respectively. In standard inhibition assays, selegiline increased the K(m) of CYP2B6 for bupropion from 10 to 92 μM and decreased the k(cat) by ∼50%. The reduced carbon-monoxide difference spectrum revealed over a 50% loss in the cytochrome P450 spectrum in the inactivated sample, with no loss in heme, and there was ∼70% loss in enzyme activity. Trapping of the reactive metabolite using GSH led to the identification of a GSH-selegiline conjugate with a m/z 528 that could be explained by hydroxylation of selegiline followed by the addition of glutathione to the propargyl moiety after oxygenation to form the ketene intermediate. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the labeled protein following digestion with trypsin revealed the peptide ⁶⁴DVFTVHLGPR⁷³ as the peptide modified by the reactive metabolite of selegiline and the site of adduct formation is Asp64.

A single mutation in a tunnel to the active site changes the mechanism and kinetics of product release in haloalkane dehalogenase LinB

Many enzymes have buried active sites. The properties of the tunnels connecting the active site with bulk solvent affect ligand binding and unbinding and also the catalytic properties. Here, we investigate ligand passage in the haloalkane dehalogenase enzyme LinB and the effect of replacing leucine by a bulky tryptophan at a tunnel-lining position. Transient kinetic experiments show that the mutation significantly slows down the rate of product release. Moreover, the mechanism of bromide ion release is changed from a one-step process in the wild type enzyme to a two-step process in the mutant. The rate constant of bromide ion release corresponds to the overall steady-state turnover rate constant, suggesting that product release became the rate-limiting step of catalysis in the mutant. We explain the experimental findings by investigating the molecular details of the process computationally. Analysis of trajectories from molecular dynamics simulations with a tunnel detection software reveals differences in the tunnels available for ligand egress. Corresponding differences are seen in simulations of product egress using a specialized enhanced sampling technique. The differences in the free energy barriers for egress of a bromide ion obtained using potential of mean force calculations are in good agreement with the differences in rates obtained from the transient kinetic experiments. Interactions of the bromide ion with the introduced tryptophan are shown to affect the free energy barrier for its passage. The study demonstrates how the mechanism of an enzymatic catalytic cycle and reaction kinetics can be engineered by modification of protein tunnels.

Mechanism-based inactivation of human cytochrome P450 2B6 by clopidogrel: involvement of both covalent modification of cysteinyl residue 475 and loss of heme

We have investigated the mechanisms by which clopidogrel inactivates human cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) in a reconstituted system. It was found that clopidogrel and its thiolactone metabolite, 2-oxo-clopidogrel, both inactivate CYP2B6 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. On the basis of k(inact)/K(I) ratios, clopidogrel is approximately 5 times more efficient than 2-oxo-clopidogrel in inactivating CYP2B6. Analysis of the molecular mass of the CYP2B6 wild-type (WT) protein that had been inactivated by either clopidogrel or 2-oxo-clopidogrel showed an increase in the mass of the protein by ∼350 Da. This increase in the protein mass corresponds to the addition of the active metabolite of clopidogrel to CYP2B6. It is noteworthy that this adduct can be cleaved from the protein matrix by incubation with dithiothreitol, confirming that the active metabolite is linked to a cysteinyl residue of CYP2B6 via a disulfide bond. Peptide mapping of tryptic digests of the inactivated CYP2B6 using electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry identified Cys475 as the site of covalent modification by the active metabolite. This was further confirmed by the observation that mutation of Cys475 to a serine residue eliminates the formation of the protein adduct and prevents the C475S variant from mechanism-based inactivation by 2-oxo-clopidogrel. However, this mutation did not prevent the C475S variant from being inactivated by clopidogrel. Furthermore, inactivation of both CYP2B6 WT and C475S by clopidogrel, but not by 2-oxo-clopidogrel, led to the loss of the heme, which accounts for most of the loss of the catalytic activity. Collectively, these results suggest that clopidogrel inactivates CYP2B6 primarily through destruction of the heme, whereas 2-oxo-clopidogrel inactivates CYP2B6 through covalent modification of Cys475.

Insights into folate/FAD-dependent tRNA methyltransferase mechanism: role of two highly conserved cysteines in catalysis

The flavoprotein TrmFO methylates specifically the C5 carbon of the highly conserved uridine 54 in tRNAs. Contrary to most methyltransferases, the 1-carbon unit transferred by TrmFO derives from 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate and not from S-adenosyl-L-methionine. The enzyme also employs the FAD hydroquinone as a reducing agent of the C5 methylene U54-tRNA intermediate in vitro. By analogy with the catalytic mechanism of thymidylate synthase ThyA, a conserved cysteine located near the FAD isoalloxazine ring was proposed to act as a nucleophile during catalysis. Here, we mutated this residue (Cys-53 in Bacillus subtilis TrmFO) to alanine and investigated its functional role. Biophysical characterization of this variant demonstrated the major structural role of Cys-53 in maintaining both the integrity and plasticity of the flavin binding site. Unexpectedly, gel mobility shift assays showed that, like the wild-type enzyme, the inactive C53A variant was capable of forming a covalent complex with a 5-fluorouridine-containing mini-RNA. This result confirms the existence of a covalent intermediate during catalysis but rules out a nucleophilic role for Cys-53. To identify the actual nucleophile, two other strictly conserved cysteines (Cys-192 and Cys-226) that are relatively far from the active site were replaced with alanine, and a double mutant C53A/C226A was generated. Interestingly, only mutations that target Cys-226 impeded TrmFO from forming a covalent complex and methylating tRNA. Altogether, we propose a revised mechanism for the m(5)U54 modification catalyzed by TrmFO, where Cys-226 attacks the C6 atom of the uridine, and Cys-53 plays the role of the general base abstracting the C5 proton.

Structural analysis of mammalian cytochrome P450 2B4 covalently bound to the mechanism-based inactivator tert-butylphenylacetylene: insight into partial enzymatic activity

A combined structural and computational analysis of rabbit cytochrome P450 2B4 covalently bound to the mechanism-based inactivator tert-butylphenylacetylene (tBPA) has yielded insight into how the enzyme retains partial activity. Since conjugation to tBPA modifies a highly conserved active site residue, the residual activity of tBPA-labeled 2B4 observed in previous studies was puzzling. Here we describe the first crystal structures of a modified mammalian P450, which show an oxygenated metabolite of tBPA conjugated to Thr 302 of helix I. These results are consistent with previous studies that identified Thr 302 as the site of conjugation. In each structure, the core of 2B4 remains unchanged, but the arrangement of plastic regions differs. This results in one structure that is compact and closed. In this conformation, tBPA points toward helix B', making a 31° angle with the heme plane. This conformation is in agreement with previously performed in silico experiments. However, dimerization of 2B4 in the other structure, which is caused by movement of the B/C loop and helices F through G, alters the position of tBPA. In this case, tBPA lies almost parallel to the heme plane due to the presence of helix F' of the opposite monomer entering the active site to stabilize the dimer. However, docking experiments using this open form show that tBPA is able to rotate upward to give testosterone and 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin access to the heme, which could explain the previously observed partial activity.

Uncovering the role of hydrophobic residues in cytochrome P450-cytochrome P450 reductase interactions

Cytochrome P450 (CYP or P450)-mediated drug metabolism requires the interaction of P450s with their redox partner, cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR). In this work, we have investigated the role of P450 hydrophobic residues in complex formation with CPR and uncovered novel roles for the surface-exposed residues V267 and L270 of CYP2B4 in mediating CYP2B4--CPR interactions. Using a combination of fluorescence labeling and stopped-flow spectroscopy, we have investigated the basis for these interactions. Specifically, in order to study P450--CPR interactions, a single reactive cysteine was introduced in to a genetically engineered variant of CYP2B4 (C79SC152S) at each of seven strategically selected surface-exposed positions. Each of these cysteine residues was modified by reaction with fluorescein-5-maleimide (FM), and the CYP2B4-FM variants were then used to determine the K(d) of the complex by monitoring fluorescence enhancement in the presence of CPR. Furthermore, the intrinsic K(m) values of the CYP2B4 variants for CPR were measured, and stopped-flow spectroscopy was used to determine the intrinsic kinetics and the extent of reduction of the ferric P450 mutants to the ferrous P450--CO adduct by CPR. A comparison of the results from these three approaches reveals that the sites on P450 exhibiting the greatest changes in fluorescence intensity upon binding CPR are associated with the greatest increases in the K(m) values of the P450 variants for CPR and with the greatest decreases in the rates and extents of reduced P450--CO formation.

Stochastic ensembles, conformationally adaptive teamwork, and enzymatic detoxification

It has been appreciated for a long time that enzymes exist as conformational ensembles throughout multiple stages of the reactions they catalyze, but there is renewed interest in the functional implications. The energy landscape that results from conformationlly diverse poteins is a complex surface with an energetic topography in multiple dimensions, even at the transition state(s) leading to product formation, and this represents a new paradigm. At the same time there has been renewed interest in conformational ensembles, a new paradigm concerning enzyme function has emerged, wherein catalytic promiscuity has clear biological advantages in some cases. "Useful", or biologically functional, promiscuity or the related behavior of "multifunctionality" can be found in the immune system, enzymatic detoxification, signal transduction, and the evolution of new function from an existing pool of folded protein scaffolds. Experimental evidence supports the widely held assumption that conformational heterogeneity promotes functional promiscuity. The common link between these coevolving paradigms is the inherent structural plasticity and conformational dynamics of proteins that, on one hand, lead to complex but evolutionarily selected energy landscapes and, on the other hand, promote functional promiscuity. Here we consider a logical extension of the overlap between these two nascent paradigms: functionally promiscuous and multifunctional enzymes such as detoxification enzymes are expected to have an ensemble landscape with more states accessible on multiple time scales than substrate specific enzymes. Two attributes of detoxification enzymes become important in the context of conformational ensembles: these enzymes metabolize multiple substrates, often in substrate mixtures, and they can form multiple products from a single substrate. These properties, combined with complex conformational landscapes, lead to the possibility of interesting time-dependent, or emergent, properties. Here we demonstrate these properties with kinetic simulations of nonequilibrium steady state (NESS) behavior resulting from energy landscapes expected for detoxification enzymes. Analogous scenarios with other promiscuous enzymes may be worthy of consideration.

Two-dimensional NMR and all-atom molecular dynamics of cytochrome P450 CYP119 reveal hidden conformational substates

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are versatile catalysts involved in a wide variety of biological processes from hormonal regulation and antibiotic synthesis to drug metabolism. A hallmark of their versatility is their promiscuous nature, allowing them to recognize a wide variety of chemically diverse substrates. However, the molecular details of this promiscuity have remained elusive. Here, we have utilized two-dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence NMR spectroscopy to examine a series of mutants site-specific labeled with the unnatural amino acid, [(13)C]p-methoxyphenylalanine, in conjunction with all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to examine substrate and inhibitor binding to CYP119, a P450 from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. The results suggest that tight binding hydrophobic ligands tend to lock the enzyme into a single conformational substate, whereas weak binding low affinity ligands bind loosely in the active site, resulting in a distribution of localized conformers. Furthermore, the molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the ligand-free enzyme samples ligand-bound conformations of the enzyme and, therefore, that ligand binding may proceed largely through a process of conformational selection rather than induced fit.

tert-Butylphenylacetylene is a potent mechanism-based inactivator of cytochrome P450 2B4: inhibition of cytochrome P450 catalysis by steric hindrance

We have demonstrated that 4-(tert-butyl)-phenylacetylene (tBPA) is a potent mechanism-based inactivator for cytochrome P450 2B4 (P450 2B4) in the reconstituted system. It inactivates P450 2B4 in a NADPH- and time-dependent manner with a K(I) of 0.44 microM and k(inact) of 0.12 min(-1). The partition ratio was approximately zero, indicating that inactivation occurs without the reactive intermediate leaving the active site. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses revealed that tBPA forms a protein adduct with a 1:1 stoichiometry. Peptide mapping of the tBPA-modified protein provides evidence that tBPA is covalently bound to Thr302. This is consistent with results of molecular modeling that show the terminal carbon of the acetylenic group is only 3.65 A away from Thr302. To characterize the effect of covalent modification of Thr302, tBPA-modified P450 2B4 was purified to homogeneity from the reconstituted system. The Soret band of tBPA-modified protein is red-shifted by 5 to 422 nm compared with unmodified protein. Benzphetamine binding to the modified P450 2B4 causes no spin shift, indicating that substrate binding and/or the heme environment has been altered by covalently bound tBPA. Cytochrome P450 reductase reduces the unmodified and tBPA-modified P450s at approximately the same rate. However, addition of benzphetamine stimulates the rate of reduction of unmodified P450 2B4 by approximately 20-fold but only marginally stimulates reduction of the tBPA-modified protein. This large discrepancy in the stimulation of the first electron transfer by benzphetamine strongly suggests that the impairment of P450 catalysis is due to inhibition of benzphetamine binding to the tBPA-modified P450 2B4.