The atomic resolution structure of methanol dehydrogenase fromMethylobacterium extorquens

Methanol-based biomanufacturing of fuels and chemicals using native and synthetic methylotrophs

Methanol has recently gained significant attention as a potential carbon substrate for the production of fuels and chemicals, owing to its high degree of reduction, abundance, and low price. Native methylotrophic yeasts and bacteria have been investigated for the production of fuels and chemicals. Alternatively, synthetic methylotrophic strains are also being developed by reconstructing methanol utilization pathways in model microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli. Owing to the complex metabolic pathways, limited availability of genetic tools, and methanol/formaldehyde toxicity, the high-level production of target products for industrial applications are still under development to satisfy commercial feasibility. This article reviews the production of biofuels and chemicals by native and synthetic methylotrophic microorganisms. It also highlights the advantages and limitations of both types of methylotrophs and provides an overview of ways to improve their efficiency for the production of fuels and chemicals from methanol.

Isolation and Characterization of Homologically Expressed Methanol Dehydrogenase from Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 for the Development of Bioelectrocatalytical Systems

(Ca²⁺)-dependent pyrroloquinolinequinone (PQQ)-dependent methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) (EC: 1.1.2.7) is one of the key enzymes of primary C1-compound metabolism in methylotrophy. PQQ-MDH is a promising catalyst for electrochemical biosensors and biofuel cells. However, the large-scale use of PQQ-MDH in bioelectrocatalysis is not possible due to the low yield of the native enzyme. Homologously overexpressed MDH was obtained from methylotrophic bacterium Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 by cloning the gene of only one subunit, mxaF. The His-tagged enzyme was easily purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (36% yield). A multimeric form (α6β6) of recombinant PQQ-MDH possessing enzymatic activity (0.54 U/mg) and high stability was demonstrated for the first time. pH-optimum of the purified protein was about 9–10; the enzyme was activated by ammonium ions. It had the highest affinity toward methanol (K_M = 0.36 mM). The recombinant MDH was used for the fabrication of an amperometric biosensor. Its linear range for methanol concentrations was 0.002–0.1 mM, the detection limit was 0.7 µM. The properties of the invented biosensor are competitive to the analogs, meaning that this enzyme is a promising catalyst for industrial methanol biosensors. The developed simplified technology for PQQ-MDH production opens up new opportunities for the development of bioelectrocatalytic systems.

Unusual Cytochrome c552 from Thioalkalivibrio paradoxus: Solution NMR Structure and Interaction with Thiocyanate Dehydrogenase

The search of a putative physiological electron acceptor for thiocyanate dehydrogenase (TcDH) newly discovered in the thiocyanate-oxidizing bacteria Thioalkalivibrio paradoxus revealed an unusually large, single-heme cytochrome c (CytC552), which was co-purified with TcDH from the periplasm. Recombinant CytC552, produced in Escherichia coli as a mature protein without a signal peptide, has spectral properties similar to the endogenous protein and serves as an in vitro electron acceptor in the TcDH-catalyzed reaction. The CytC552 structure determined by NMR spectroscopy reveals significant differences compared to those of the typical class I bacterial cytochromes c: a high solvent accessible surface area for the heme group and so-called “intrinsically disordered” nature of the histidine-rich N- and C-terminal regions. Comparison of the signal splitting in the heteronuclear NMR spectra of oxidized, reduced, and TcDH-bound CytC552 reveals the heme axial methionine fluxionality. The TcDH binding site on the CytC552 surface was mapped using NMR chemical shift perturbations. Putative TcDH-CytC552 complexes were reconstructed by the information-driven docking approach and used for the analysis of effective electron transfer pathways. The best pathway includes the electron hopping through His528 and Tyr164 of TcDH, and His83 of CytC552 to the heme group in accordance with pH-dependence of TcDH activity with CytC552.

Oxygen Generation via Water Splitting by a Novel Biogenic Metal Ion-Binding Compound

Methanobactins (MBs) are small (<1,300-Da) posttranslationally modified copper-binding peptides and represent the extracellular component of a copper acquisition system in some methanotrophs. Interestingly, MBs can bind a range of metal ions, with some being reduced after binding, e.g., Cu²⁺ reduced to Cu⁺. Other metal ions, however, are bound but not reduced, e.g., K⁺. The source of electrons for selective metal ion reduction has been speculated to be water but never empirically shown. Here, using H₂¹⁸O, we show that when MBs from Methylocystis sp. strain SB2 (MB-SB2) and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b (MB-OB3) were incubated in the presence of either Au³⁺, Cu², or Ag⁺, ^18,18O₂ and free protons were released. No ^18,18O₂ production was observed in the presence of either MB-SB2 or MB-OB3b alone, gold alone, copper alone, or silver alone or when K⁺ or Mo²⁺ was incubated with MB-SB2. In contrast to MB-OB3b, MB-SB2 binds Fe³⁺ with an N₂S₂ coordination and will also reduce Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺. Iron reduction was also found to be coupled to the oxidation of 2H₂O and the generation of O₂. MB-SB2 will also couple Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺ reduction to the oxidation of 2H₂O and the generation of O₂, but MB-OB3b will not, ostensibly as MB-OB3b binds but does not reduce these metal ions. To determine if the O₂ generated during metal ion reduction by MB could be coupled to methane oxidation, ¹³CH₄ oxidation by Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b was monitored under anoxic conditions. The results demonstrate that O₂ generation from metal ion reduction by MB-OB3b can support methane oxidation.

IMPORTANCE The discovery that MB will couple the oxidation of H₂O to metal ion reduction and the release of O₂ suggests that methanotrophs expressing MB may be able to maintain their activity under hypoxic/anoxic conditions through the “self-generation” of dioxygen required for the initial oxidation of methane to methanol. Such an ability may be an important factor in enabling methanotrophs to not only colonize the oxic-anoxic interface where methane concentrations are highest but also tolerate significant temporal fluctuations of this interface. Given that genomic surveys often show evidence of aerobic methanotrophs within anoxic zones, the ability to express MB (and thereby generate dioxygen) may be an important parameter in facilitating their ability to remove methane, a potent greenhouse gas, before it enters the atmosphere.

Switching Between Methanol Accumulation and Cell Growth by Expression Control of Methanol Dehydrogenase in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b Mutant

Methanotrophs have been used to convert methane to methanol at ambient temperature and pressure. In order to accumulate methanol using methanotrophs, methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) must be downregulated as it consumes methanol. Here, we describe a methanol production system wherein MDH expression is controlled by using methanotroph mutants. We used the MxaF knockout mutant of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. It could only grow with MDH (XoxF) which has a cerium ion in its active site and is only expressed by bacteria in media containing cerium ions. In the presence of 0 μM copper ion and 25 μM cerium ion, the mutant grew normally. Under conditions conducive to methanol production (10 μM copper ion and 0 μM cerium ion), cell growth was inhibited and methanol accumulated (2.6 μmol·mg⁻¹ dry cell weight·h⁻¹). The conversion efficiency of the accumulated methanol to the total amount of methane added to the reaction system was ~0.3%. The aforementioned conditions were repeatedly alternated by modulating the metal ion composition of the bacterial growth medium.

Preferential Binding of Lanthanides to Methanol Dehydrogenase Evaluated with Density Functional Theory

Methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) is an enzyme used by certain bacteria for the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde, which is a necessary metabolic reaction. The discovery of a lanthanide-dependent MDH reveals that lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺) have a role in biology. Two types of MDH exist in methane-utilizing bacteria: one that is Ca²⁺-dependent (MxaF) and another that is Ln³⁺-dependent. Given that the triply charged Ln³⁺ are strongly hydrated, it is not clear how preference for Ln³⁺ is manifested and if the Ca²⁺-dependent MxaF protein can also bind Ln³⁺ ions. A computational approach was used to estimate the Gibbs energy differences between the binding of Ln³⁺ and Ca²⁺ to MDH using density functional theory. The results show that both proteins bind La³⁺ with higher affinity than Ca²⁺, albeit with a more pronounced difference in the case of Ln³⁺-dependent MDH. Interestingly, the binding of heavier lanthanides is preferred over the binding of La³⁺, with Gd³⁺ showing the highest affinity for both proteins of all Ln³⁺ ions that were tested (La³⁺, Sm³⁺, Gd³⁺, Dy³⁺, and Lu³⁺). Energy decomposition analysis reveals that the higher affinity of La³⁺ than Ca²⁺ to MDH is due to stronger contributions of electrostatics and polarization, which overcome the high cost of desolvating the ion.

Mechanism of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone-Dependent Hydride Transfer Chemistry from Spectroscopic and High-Resolution X-ray Structural Studies of the Methanol Dehydrogenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

The active site of methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) contains a rare disulfide bridge between adjacent cysteine residues. As a vicinal disulfide, the structure is highly strained, suggesting it might work together with the pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) prosthetic group and the Ca²⁺ ion in the catalytic turnover during methanol (CH₃OH) oxidation. We purify MDH from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) with the disulfide bridge broken into two thiols. Spectroscopic and high-resolution X-ray crystallographic studies of this form of MDH indicate that the disulfide bridge is redox active. We observe an internal redox process within the holo-MDH that produces a disulfide radical anion concomitant with a companion PQQ radical, as evidenced by an optical absorption at 408 nm and a magnetically dipolar-coupled biradical in the EPR spectrum. These observations are corroborated by electron-density changes between the two cysteine sulfurs of the disulfide bridge as well as between the bound Ca²⁺ ion and the O5-C5 bond of the PQQ in the high-resolution X-ray structure. On the basis of these findings, we propose a mechanism for the controlled redistribution of the two electrons during hydride transfer from the CH₃OH in the alcohol oxidation without formation of the reduced PQQ ethenediol, a biradical mechanism that allows for possible recovery of the hydride for transfer to an external NAD⁺ oxidant in the regeneration of the PQQ cofactor for multiple catalytic turnovers. In support of this mechanism, a steady-state level of the disulfide radical anion is observed during turnover of the MDH in the presence of CH₃OH and NAD⁺.

Bioinorganic insights of the PQQ-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases

Among the several alcohol dehydrogenases, PQQ-dependent enzymes are mainly found in the α, β, and γ-proteobacteria. These proteins are classified into three main groups. Type I ADHs are localized in the periplasm and contain one Ca²⁺-PQQ moiety, being the methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) the most representative. In recent years, several lanthanide-dependent MDHs have been discovered exploding the understanding of the natural role of lanthanide ions. Type II ADHs are localized in the periplasm and possess one Ca²⁺-PQQ moiety and one heme c group. Finally, type III ADHs are complexes of two or three subunits localized in the cytoplasmic membrane and possess one Ca²⁺-PQQ moiety and four heme c groups, and in one of these proteins, an additional [2Fe-2S] cluster has been discovered recently. From the bioinorganic point of view, PQQ-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases have been revived recently mainly due to the discovery of the lanthanide-dependent enzymes. Here, we review the three types of PQQ-dependent ADHs with special focus on their structural features and electron transfer processes. The PQQ-Alcohol dehydrogenases are classified into three main groups. Type I and type II ADHs are located in the periplasm, while type III ADHs are in the cytoplasmic membrane. ADH-I have a Ca-PQQ or a Ln-PQQ, ADH-II a Ca-PQQ and one heme-c and ADH-III a Ca-PQQ and four hemes-c. This review focuses on their structural features and electron transfer processes.

Crystal structure of a calcium(II)-pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) complex outside a protein environment

Pyrrolo­quinoline quinone (PQQ) is an important cofactor of calcium- and lanthanide-dependent alcohol de­hydrogenases. The crystal structure of a Ca–PQQ com­plex (Ca₃PQQ₂·13H₂O) is reported for the first time outside a protein environment.

Pyrrolo­quinoline quinone (PQQ) is an important cofactor of calcium- and lanthanide-dependent alcohol de­hydrogenases, and has been known for over 30 years. Crystal structures of Ca–MDH enzymes (MDH is methanol de­hydrogenase) have been known for some time; however, crystal structures of PQQ with biorelevant metal ions have been lacking in the literature for decades. We report here the first crystal structure analysis of a Ca–PQQ com­plex outside the protein environment, namely, poly[[undeca­aqua­bis­(μ-4,5-dioxo-4,5-di­hydro-1H-pyrrolo­[2,3-f]quinoline-2,7,9-tri­carboxyl­ato)tricalcium(II)] dihydrate], {[Ca₃(C₁₄H₃N₂O₈)₂(H₂O)₁₁]·2H₂O}_n. The com­plex crystallized as Ca₃PQQ₂·13H₂O with Ca²⁺ in three different positions and PQQ³⁻, including an extensive hydrogen-bond network. Similarities and differences to the recently reported structure with biorelevant europium (Eu₂PQQ₂) are discussed.

The biochemistry of lanthanide acquisition, trafficking, and utilization

Lanthanides are relative newcomers to the field of cell biology of metals; their specific incorporation into enzymes was only demonstrated in 2011, with the isolation of a bacterial lanthanide- and pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent methanol dehydrogenase. Since that discovery, the efforts of many investigators have revealed that lanthanide utilization is widespread in environmentally important bacteria, and parallel efforts have focused on elucidating the molecular details involved in selective recognition and utilization of these metals. In this review, we discuss the particular chemical challenges and advantages associated with biology's use of lanthanides, as well as the currently known lanthano-enzymes and -proteins (the lanthanome). We also review the emerging understanding of the coordination chemistry and biology of lanthanide acquisition, trafficking, and regulatory pathways. These studies have revealed significant parallels with pathways for utilization of other metals in biology. Finally, we discuss some of the many unresolved questions in this burgeoning field and their potentially far-reaching applications.

The Effects of the Metal Ion Substitution into the Active Site of Metalloenzymes: A Theoretical Insight on Some Selected Cases

A large number of enzymes need a metal ion to express their catalytic activity. Among the different roles that metal ions can play in the catalytic event, the most common are their ability to orient the substrate correctly for the reaction, to exchange electrons in redox reactions, to stabilize negative charges. In many reactions catalyzed by metal ions, they behave like the proton, essentially as Lewis acids but are often more effective than the proton because they can be present at high concentrations at neutral pH. In an attempt to adapt to drastic environmental conditions, enzymes can take advantage of the presence of many metal species in addition to those defined as native and still be active. In fact, today we know enzymes that contain essential bulk, trace, and ultra-trace elements. In this work, we report theoretical results obtained for three different enzymes each of which contains different metal ions, trying to highlight any differences in their working mechanism as a function of the replacement of the metal center at the active site.

Crystal Structure of Cytochrome cL from the Aquatic Methylotrophic Bacterium Methylophaga aminisulfidivorans MPT

Cytochrome c_L (Cytc_L) is an essential protein in the process of methanol oxidation in methylotrophs. It receives an electron from the pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) cofactor of methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) to produce formaldehyde. The direct electron transfer mechanism between Cytc_L and MDH remains unknown due to the lack of structural information. To help gain a better understanding of the mechanism, we determined the first crystal structure of heme c containing Cytc_L from the aquatic methylotrophic bacterium Methylophaga aminisulfidivorans MP^T at 2.13 Å resolution. The crystal structure of Ma-Cytc_L revealed its unique features compared to those of the terrestrial homologues. Apart from Fe in heme, three additional metal ion binding sites for Na⁺ , Ca⁺ , and Fe²⁺ were found, wherein the ions mostly formed coordination bonds with the amino acid residues on the loop (G93-Y111) that interacts with heme. Therefore, these ions seemed to enhance the stability of heme insertion by increasing the loop's steadiness. The basic N-terminal end, together with helix α4 and loop (G126 to Y136), contributed positive charge to the region. In contrast, the acidic C-terminal end provided a negatively charged surface, yielding several electrostatic contact points with partner proteins for electron transfer. These exceptional features of Ma-Cytc_L, along with the structural information of MDH, led us to hypothesize the need for an adapter protein bridging MDH to Cytc_L within appropriate proximity for electron transfer. With this knowledge in mind, the methanol oxidation complex reconstitution in vitro could be utilized to produce metabolic intermediates at the industry level.

Rare earth elements (REE) in biology and medicine

This survey reports on topics that were presented at the workshop on “Challenges with Rare Earth Elements. The Periodic Table at work for new Science & Technology” hold at the Academia dei Lincei in November 2019. The herein reported materials refer to presentations dealing with studies and applications of rare earth elements (REE) in several areas of Biology and Medicine. All together they show the tremendous impact REE have in relevant fields of living systems and highlight, on one hand, the still existing knowledge gap for an in-depth understanding of their function in natural systems as well as the very important role they already have in providing innovative scientific and technological solutions in a number of bio-medical areas and in fields related to the assessment of the origin of food and on their manufacturing processes. On the basis of the to-date achievements one expects that new initiatives will bring, in a not too far future, to a dramatic increase of our understanding of the REE involvement in living organisms as well as a ramp-up in the exploitation of the peculiar properties of REE for the design of novel applications in diagnostic procedures and in the set-up of powerful medical devices. This scenario calls the governmental authorities for new responsibilities to guarantee a continuous availability of REE to industry and research labs together with providing support to activities devoted to their recovery/recycling.

Two-stage oxygen supply strategy for enhancing fed-batch production of pyrroloquinoline quinone in Hyphomicrobium denitrificans FJNU-6

Oxygen is a vital parameter for pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) biosynthesis. In this study, the effects of oxygen supply on the biosynthesis of PQQ were first investigated systematically with Hyphomicrobium denitrificans FJNU-6. Following a kinetic analysis of the specific cell growth rate (μ_x) and specific PQQ formation rate (μ_p) in 5 L benchtop fermentation systems at various oxygen supply levels ranging from 0 to 60%, a novel, two-stage oxygen supply strategy was developed for enhancing PQQ production and productivity. Moreover, the transcription of genes involved in methanol oxidation and PQQ biosynthesis was analyzed throughout the process to outline the effect of oxygen supply on cell metabolism. Furthermore, with constant feeding of methanol at 0-1 g/L after the initial methanol was consumed completely, the PQQ concentration and productivity reached 1070 mg/L and 7.64 mg/L/h, respectively, after 140 h in a 5-L fermenter. The two-stage oxygen supply strategy developed in this study provides an effective and economical strategy for the industrial production of PQQ.Key Points• A novel, two-stage oxygen supply strategy was developed for enhancing PQQ production and productivity.•The transcription of genes involved in methanol oxidation and PQQ biosynthesis was regulated by changes in oxygen supply.• This study offers an effective and economical strategy for industrial or large-scale production of PQQ.

Lanthanide-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases require an essential aspartate residue for metal coordination and enzymatic function

The lanthanide elements (Ln³⁺), those with atomic numbers 57-63 (excluding promethium, Pm³⁺), form a cofactor complex with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) in bacterial XoxF methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) and ExaF ethanol dehydrogenases (EDHs), expanding the range of biological elements and opening novel areas of metabolism and ecology. Other MDHs, known as MxaFIs, are related in sequence and structure to these proteins, yet they instead possess a Ca²⁺-PQQ cofactor. An important missing piece of the Ln³⁺ puzzle is defining what features distinguish enzymes that use Ln³⁺-PQQ cofactors from those that do not. Here, using XoxF1 MDH from the model methylotrophic bacterium Methylorubrum extorquens AM1, we investigated the functional importance of a proposed lanthanide-coordinating aspartate residue. We report two crystal structures of XoxF1, one with and another without PQQ, both with La³⁺ bound in the active-site region and coordinated by Asp³²⁰ Using constructs to produce either recombinant XoxF1 or its D320A variant, we show that Asp³²⁰ is needed for in vivo catalytic function, in vitro activity, and La³⁺ coordination. XoxF1 and XoxF1 D320A, when produced in the absence of La³⁺, coordinated Ca²⁺ but exhibited little or no catalytic activity. We also generated the parallel substitution in ExaF to produce ExaF D319S and found that this variant loses the capacity for efficient ethanol oxidation with La³⁺ These results provide evidence that a Ln³⁺-coordinating aspartate is essential for the enzymatic functions of XoxF MDHs and ExaF EDHs, supporting the notion that sequences of these enzymes, and the genes that encode them, are markers for Ln³⁺ metabolism.

Biological pincer complexes

At least two types of pincer complexes are known to exist in biology. A metal-pyrroloquinolone quinone (PQQ) cofactor was first identified in bacterial methanol dehydrogenase, and later also found in selected short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases of other microorganisms. The PQQ-associated metal can be calcium, magnesium, or a rare earth element depending on the enzyme sequence. Synthesis of this organic ligand requires a series of accessory proteins acting on a small peptide, PqqA. Binding of metal to PQQ yields an ONO-type pincer complex. More recently, a nickel-pincer nucleotide (NPN) cofactor was discovered in lactate racemase, LarA. This cofactor derives from nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide via action of a carboxylase/hydrolase, sulfur transferase, and nickel insertase, resulting in an SCS-type pincer complex. The NPN cofactor likely occurs in selected other racemases and epimerases of bacteria, archaea, and a few eukaryotes.

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of XoxG and XoxJ and Their Roles in Lanthanide-Dependent Methanol Dehydrogenase Activity

Lanthanide (Ln)-dependent methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) have recently been shown to be widespread in methylotrophic bacteria. Along with the core MDH protein, XoxF, these systems contain two other proteins, XoxG (a c-type cytochrome) and XoxJ (a periplasmic binding protein of unknown function), about which little is known. In this work, we have biochemically and structurally characterized these proteins from the methyltroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. In contrast to results obtained in an artificial assay system, assays of XoxFs metallated with LaIII , CeIII , and NdIII using their physiological electron acceptor, XoxG, display Ln-independent activities, but the Km for XoxG markedly increases from La to Nd. This result suggests that XoxG's redox properties are tuned specifically for lighter Lns in XoxF, an interpretation supported by the unusually low reduction potential of XoxG (+172 mV). The X-ray crystal structure of XoxG provides a structural basis for this reduction potential and insight into the XoxG-XoxF interaction. Finally, the X-ray crystal structure of XoxJ reveals a large hydrophobic cleft and suggests a role in the activation of XoxF. These studies enrich our understanding of the underlying chemical principles that enable the activity of XoxF with multiple lanthanides in vitro and in vivo.

Identification of Proteins and Genes Expressed by Methylophaga thiooxydans During Growth on Dimethylsulfide and Their Presence in Other Members of the Genus

Dimethylsulfide is a volatile organic sulfur compound that provides the largest input of biogenic sulfur from the oceans to the atmosphere, and thence back to land, constituting an important link in the global sulfur cycle. Microorganisms degrading DMS affect fluxes of DMS in the environment, but the underlying metabolic pathways are still poorly understood. Methylophaga thiooxydans is a marine methylotrophic bacterium capable of growth on DMS as sole source of carbon and energy. Using proteomics and transcriptomics we identified genes expressed during growth on dimethylsulfide and methanol to refine our knowledge of the metabolic pathways that are involved in DMS and methanol degradation in this strain. Amongst the most highly expressed genes on DMS were the two methanethiol oxidases driving the oxidation of this reactive and toxic intermediate of DMS metabolism. Growth on DMS also increased expression of the enzymes of the tetrahydrofolate linked pathway of formaldehyde oxidation, in addition to the tetrahydromethanopterin linked pathway. Key enzymes of the inorganic sulfur oxidation pathway included flavocytochrome c sulfide dehydrogenase, sulfide quinone oxidoreductase, and persulfide dioxygenases. A sulP permease was also expressed during growth on DMS. Proteomics and transcriptomics also identified a number of highly expressed proteins and gene products whose function is currently not understood. As the identity of some enzymes of organic and inorganic sulfur metabolism previously detected in Methylophaga has not been characterized at the genetic level yet, highly expressed uncharacterized genes provide new targets for further biochemical and genetic analysis. A pan-genome analysis of six available Methylophaga genomes showed that only two of the six investigated strains, M. thiooxydans and M. sulfidovorans have the gene encoding methanethiol oxidase, suggesting that growth on methylated sulfur compounds of M. aminisulfidivorans is likely to involve different enzymes and metabolic intermediates. Hence, the pathways of DMS-utilization and subsequent C1 and sulfur oxidation are not conserved across Methylophaga isolates that degrade methylated sulfur compounds.

Contrasting in vitro and in vivo methanol oxidation activities of lanthanide-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases XoxF1 and ExaF from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1

Lanthanide (Ln) elements are utilized as cofactors for catalysis by XoxF-type methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs). A primary assumption is that XoxF enzymes produce formate from methanol oxidation, which could impact organisms that require formaldehyde for assimilation. We report genetic and phenotypic evidence showing that XoxF1 (MexAM1_1740) from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 produces formaldehyde, and not formate, during growth with methanol. Enzyme purified with lanthanum or neodymium oxidizes formaldehyde. However, formaldehyde oxidation via 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol (DCPIP) reduction is not detected in cell-free extracts from wild-type strain methanol- and lanthanum-grown cultures. Formaldehyde activating enzyme (Fae) is required for Ln methylotrophic growth, demonstrating that XoxF1-mediated production of formaldehyde is essential. Addition of exogenous lanthanum increases growth rate with methanol by 9–12% but does not correlate with changes to methanol consumption or formaldehyde accumulation. Transcriptomics analysis of lanthanum methanol growth shows upregulation of xox1 and downregulation of mxa genes, consistent with the Ln-switch, no differential expression of formaldehyde conversion genes, downregulation of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) biosynthesis genes, and upregulation of fdh4 formate dehydrogenase (FDH) genes. Additionally, the Ln-dependent ethanol dehydrogenase ExaF reduces methanol sensitivity in the fae mutant strain when lanthanides are present, providing evidence for the capacity of an auxiliary role for ExaF during Ln-dependent methylotrophy.

Lanthanide-induced conformational change of methanol dehydrogenase involving coordination change of cofactor pyrroloquinoline quinone

Classical molecular dynamics simulations combined with fragment molecular orbital calculations were employed to rationalize the enzymatic activities of MDH carrying different lanthanides.

Impact of the lanthanide contraction on the activity of a lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase - a kinetic and DFT study

Interest in the bioinorganic chemistry of lanthanides is growing rapidly as more and more lanthanide-dependent bacteria are being discovered. Especially the earlier lanthanides have been shown to be preferentially utilized by bacteria that need these Lewis acids as cofactors in their alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes. Here, we investigate the impact of the lanthanide ions lanthanum(iii) to lutetium(iii) (excluding Pm) on the catalytic parameters (vmax, KM, kcat/KM) of a methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) isolated from Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV. Kinetic experiments and DFT calculations were used to discuss why only the earlier lanthanides (La-Gd) promote high MDH activity. Impact of Lewis acidity, coordination number preferences, stability constants and other properties that are a direct result of the lanthanide contraction are discussed in light of the two proposed mechanisms for MDH.

Physiological Effect of XoxG(4) on Lanthanide-Dependent Methanotrophy

A recent surprising discovery of the activity of rare earth metals (lanthanides) as enzyme cofactors as well as transcriptional regulators has overturned the traditional assumption of biological inertia of these metals. However, so far, examples of such activities have been limited to alcohol dehydrogenases. Here we describe the physiological effects of a mutation in xoxG, a gene encoding a novel cytochrome, XoxG(4), and compare these to the effects of mutation in XoxF, a lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase, at the enzyme activity level and also at the community function level, using Methylomonas sp. strain LW13 as a model organism. Through comparative phenotypic characterization, we establish XoxG as the second protein directly involved in lanthanide-dependent metabolism, likely as a dedicated electron acceptor from XoxF. However, mutation in XoxG caused a phenotype that was dramatically different from the phenotype of the mutant in XoxF, suggesting a secondary function for this cytochrome, in metabolism of methane. We also purify XoxG(4) and demonstrate that this protein is a true cytochrome c, based on the typical absorption spectra, and we demonstrate that XoxG can be directly reduced by a purified XoxF, supporting one of its proposed physiological functions. Overall, our data continue to suggest the complex nature of the interplay between the calcium-dependent and lanthanide-dependent alcohol oxidation systems, while they also suggest that addressing the roles of these alternative systems is essential at the enzyme and community function level, in addition to the gene transcription level.IMPORTANCE The lanthanide-dependent biochemistry of living organisms remains a barely tapped area of knowledge. So far, only a handful of lanthanide-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases have been described, and their regulation by lanthanides has been demonstrated at the transcription level. Little information is available regarding the concentrations of lanthanides that could support sufficient enzymatic activities to support specific metabolisms, and so far, no other redox proteins involved in lanthanide-dependent methanotrophy have been demonstrated. The research presented here provides enzyme activity-level data on lanthanide-dependent methanotrophy in a model methanotroph. Additionally, we identify a second protein important for lanthanide-dependent metabolism in this organism, XoxG(4), a novel cytochrome. XoxG(4) appears to have multiple functions in methanotrophy, one function as an electron acceptor from XoxF and another function remaining unknown. On the basis of the dramatic phenotype of the XoxG(4) mutant, this function must be crucial for methanotrophy.

Similar but Not the Same: First Kinetic and Structural Analyses of a Methanol Dehydrogenase Containing a Europium Ion in the Active Site

Since the discovery of the biological relevance of rare earth elements (REEs) for numerous different bacteria, questions concerning the advantages of REEs in the active sites of methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) over calcium(II) and of why bacteria prefer light REEs have been a subject of debate. Here we report the cultivation and purification of the strictly REE-dependent methanotrophic bacterium Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV with europium(III), as well as structural and kinetic analyses of the first methanol dehydrogenase incorporating Eu in the active site. Crystal structure determination of the Eu-MDH demonstrated that overall no major structural changes were induced by conversion to this REE. Circular dichroism (CD) measurements were used to determine optimal conditions for kinetic assays, whereas inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) showed 70 % incorporation of Eu in the enzyme. Our studies explain why bacterial growth of SolV in the presence of Eu3+ is significantly slower than in the presence of La3+ /Ce3+ /Pr3+ : Eu-MDH possesses a decreased catalytic efficiency. Although REEs have similar properties, the differences in ionic radii and coordination numbers across the series significantly impact MDH efficiency.

Natural Selection in Synthetic Communities Highlights the Roles of Methylococcaceae and Methylophilaceae and Suggests Differential Roles for Alternative Methanol Dehydrogenases in Methane Consumption

We describe experiments that follow species dynamics and gene expression patterns in synthetic bacterial communities including species that compete for the single carbon substrate supplied, methane, and species unable to consume methane, which could only succeed through cooperative interactions. We demonstrate that these communities mostly select for two functional guilds, methanotrophs of the family Methylococcaceae and non-methanotrophic methylotrophs of the family Methylophilaceae, these taxonomic guilds outcompeting all other species included in the synthetic mix. The metatranscriptomics analysis uncovered that in both Methylococcaceae and Methylophilaceae, some of the most highly transcribed genes were the ones encoding methanol dehydrogenases (MDH). Remarkably, expression of alternative MDH genes (mxaFI versus xoxF), previously shown to be subjects to the rare Earth element switch, was found to depend on environmental conditions such as nitrogen source and methane and O₂ partial pressures, and also to be species-specific. Along with the xoxF genes, genes encoding divergent cytochromes were highly expressed in both Methylophilaceae and Methylococcaceae, suggesting their function in methanol metabolism, likely encoding proteins serving as electron acceptors from XoxF enzymes. The research presented tested a synthetic community model that is much simplified compared to natural communities consuming methane, but more complex than the previously utilized two-species model. The performance of this model identifies prominent species for future synthetic ecology experiments and highlights both advantages of this approach and the challenges that it presents.

Functional Role of Lanthanides in Enzymatic Activity and Transcriptional Regulation of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone-Dependent Alcohol Dehydrogenases in Pseudomonas putida KT2440

The oxidation of alcohols and aldehydes is crucial for detoxification and efficient catabolism of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Thus, many Gram-negative bacteria have evolved periplasmic oxidation systems based on pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases (PQQ-ADHs) that are often functionally redundant. Here we report the first description and characterization of a lanthanide-dependent PQQ-ADH (PedH) in a nonmethylotrophic bacterium based on the use of purified enzymes from the soil-dwelling model organism Pseudomonas putida KT2440. PedH (PP_2679) exhibits enzyme activity on a range of substrates similar to that of its Ca²⁺-dependent counterpart PedE (PP_2674), including linear and aromatic primary and secondary alcohols, as well as aldehydes, but only in the presence of lanthanide ions, including La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, Sm³⁺, or Nd³⁺ Reporter assays revealed that PedH not only has a catalytic function but is also involved in the transcriptional regulation of pedE and pedH, most likely acting as a sensory module. Notably, the underlying regulatory network is responsive to as little as 1 to 10 nM lanthanum, a concentration assumed to be of ecological relevance. The present study further demonstrates that the PQQ-dependent oxidation system is crucial for efficient growth with a variety of volatile alcohols. From these results, we conclude that functional redundancy and inverse regulation of PedE and PedH represent an adaptive strategy of P. putida KT2440 to optimize growth with volatile alcohols in response to the availability of different lanthanides.IMPORTANCE Because of their low bioavailability, lanthanides have long been considered biologically inert. In recent years, however, the identification of lanthanides as a cofactor in methylotrophic bacteria has attracted tremendous interest among various biological fields. The present study reveals that one of the two PQQ-ADHs produced by the model organism P. putida KT2440 also utilizes lanthanides as a cofactor, thus expanding the scope of lanthanide-employing bacteria beyond the methylotrophs. Similar to the system described in methylotrophic bacteria, a complex regulatory network is involved in lanthanide-responsive switching between the two PQQ-ADHs encoded by P. putida KT2440. We further show that the functional production of at least one of the enzymes is crucial for efficient growth with several volatile alcohols. Overall, our study provides a novel understanding of the redundancy of PQQ-ADHs observed in many organisms and further highlights the importance of lanthanides for bacterial metabolism, particularly in soil environments.

Synthesis and crystal structure of pyrroloquinoline quinol (PQQH2) and pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a water-soluble quinone compound first identified as a cofactor of alcohol- and glucose-dehydrogenases (ADH and GDH) in bacteria. For example, in the process of ADH reaction, alcohol is oxidized to the corresponding aldehyde, and inversely PQQ is reduced to pyrroloquinoline quinol (PQQH2). PQQ and PQQH2molecules play an important role as a cofactor in ADH and GDH reactions. However, crystal structure analysis has not been performed for PQQ and PQQH2. In the present study, the synthesis of PQQH2powder crystals was performed under air, by utilizing vitamin C as a reducing agent. By reacting a trihydrate of disodium salt of PQQ (PQQNa2·3H2O) with excess vitamin C in H2O at 293 and 343 K, yellowish brown and black powder crystals of PQQH2having different properties were obtained in high yield, respectively. The former was PQQH2trihydrate (PQQH2·3H2O) and the latter was PQQH2anhydrate (PQQH2). Furthermore, sodium-free red PQQ powder crystal (a monohydrate of PQQ, PQQ·H2O) was prepared by the reaction of PQQNa2·3H2O with HCl in H2O. Single crystals of PQQH2and PQQ were prepared from Me2SO/CH3CN mixed solvent, and we have succeeded in the crystal structure analyses of PQQH2and PQQ for the first time.

A rapid procedure for the in situ assay of periplasmic, PQQ-dependent methanol dehydrogenase in intact single bacterial colonies

Mechanistic details of methanol oxidation catalyzed by the periplasmically-located pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent methanol dehydrogenase of methylotrophs can be elucidated using site-directed mutants. Here, we present an in situ colony assay of methanol dehydrogenase, which allows robotic screening of large populations of intact small colonies, and regrowth of colonies for subsequent analysis.

Broad Analysis of Vicinal Disulfides: Occurrences, Conformations with Cis or with Trans Peptides, and Functional Roles Including Sugar Binding

Vicinal disulfides between sequence-adjacent cysteine residues are very rare and rather startling structural features which play a variety of functional roles. Typically discussed as an isolated curiosity, they have never received a general treatment covering both cis and trans forms. Enabled by the growing database of high-resolution structures, required deposition of diffraction data, and improved methods for discriminating reliable from dubious cases, we identify and describe distinct protein families with reliably genuine examples of cis or trans vicinal disulfides and discuss their conformations, conservation, and functions. No cis-trans interconversions and only one case of catalytic redox function are seen. Some vicinal disulfides are essential to large, functionally coupled motions, whereas most form the centers of tightly packed internal regions. Their most widespread biological role is providing a rigid hydrophobic contact surface under the undecorated side of a sugar or multiring ligand, contributing an important aspect of binding specificity.

Marker Exchange Mutagenesis of mxaF, Encoding the Large Subunit of the Mxa Methanol Dehydrogenase, in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

Methanotrophs have remarkable redundancy in multiple steps of the central pathway of methane oxidation to carbon dioxide. For example, it has been known for over 30 years that two forms of methane monooxygenase, responsible for oxidizing methane to methanol, exist in methanotrophs, i.e., soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) and particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO), and that expression of these two forms is controlled by the availability of copper. Specifically, sMMO expression occurs in the absence of copper, while pMMO expression increases with increasing copper concentrations. More recently, it was discovered that multiple forms of methanol dehydrogenase (MeDH), Mxa MeDH and Xox MeDH, also exist in methanotrophs and that the expression of these alternative forms is regulated by the availability of cerium. That is, expression of Xox MeDH increases in the presence of cerium, while Mxa MeDH expression decreases in the presence of cerium. As it had been earlier concluded that pMMO and Mxa MeDH form a supercomplex in which electrons from Mxa MeDH are back donated to pMMO to drive the initial oxidation of methane, we speculated that Mxa MeDH could be rendered inactive through marker-exchange mutagenesis but growth on methane could still be possible if cerium was added to increase the expression of Xox MeDH under sMMO-expressing conditions. Here we report that mxaF, encoding the large subunit of Mxa MeDH, could indeed be knocked out in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, yet growth on methane was still possible, so long as cerium was added. Interestingly, growth of this mutant occurred in both the presence and the absence of copper, suggesting that Xox MeDH can replace Mxa MeDH regardless of the form of MMO expressed.

Cerium regulates expression of alternative methanol dehydrogenases in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

Methanotrophs have multiple methane monooxygenases that are well known to be regulated by copper, i.e., a "copper switch." At low copper/biomass ratios the soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) is expressed while expression and activity of the particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) increases with increasing availability of copper. In many methanotrophs there are also multiple methanol dehydrogenases (MeDHs), one based on Mxa and another based on Xox. Mxa-MeDH is known to have calcium in its active site, while Xox-MeDHs have been shown to have rare earth elements in their active site. We show here that the expression levels of Mxa-MeDH and Xox-MeDH in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b significantly decreased and increased, respectively, when grown in the presence of cerium but the absence of copper compared to the absence of both metals. Expression of sMMO and pMMO was not affected. In the presence of copper, the effect of cerium on gene expression was less significant, i.e., expression of Mxa-MeDH in the presence of copper and cerium was slightly lower than in the presence of copper alone, but Xox-MeDH was again found to increase significantly. As expected, the addition of copper caused sMMO and pMMO expression levels to significantly decrease and increase, respectively, but the simultaneous addition of cerium had no discernible effect on MMO expression. As a result, it appears Mxa-MeDH can be uncoupled from methane oxidation by sMMO in M. trichosporium OB3b but not from pMMO.

Methylotrophs in natural habitats: current insights through metagenomics

The focus of this review is on the recent data from the omics approaches, measuring the presence of methylotrophs in natural environments. Both Bacteria and Archaea are considered. The data are discussed in the context of the current knowledge on the biochemistry of methylotrophy and the physiology of cultivated methylotrophs. One major issue discussed is the recent metagenomic data pointing toward the activity of "aerobic" methanotrophs, such as Methylobacter, in microoxic or hypoxic conditions. A related issue of the metabolic distinction between aerobic and "anaerobic" methylotrophy is addressed in the light of the genomic and metagenomic data for respective organisms. The role of communities, as opposed to single-organism activities in environmental cycling of single-carbon compounds, such as methane, is also discussed. In addition, the emerging issue of the role of non-traditional methylotrophs in global metabolism of single-carbon compounds and the role of methylotrophy pathways in non-methylotrophs is briefly mentioned.

Structure and protein-protein interactions of methanol dehydrogenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

In the initial steps of their metabolic pathway, methanotrophic bacteria oxidize methane to methanol with methane monooxygenases (MMOs) and methanol to formaldehyde with methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs). Several lines of evidence suggest that the membrane-bound or particulate MMO (pMMO) and MDH interact to form a metabolic supercomplex. To further investigate the possible existence of such a supercomplex, native MDH from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) has been purified and characterized by size exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering and X-ray crystallography. M. capsulatus (Bath) MDH is primarily a dimer in solution, although an oligomeric species with a molecular mass of ∼450–560 kDa forms at higher protein concentrations. The 2.57 Å resolution crystal structure reveals an overall fold and α₂β₂ dimeric architecture similar to those of other MDH structures. In addition, biolayer interferometry studies demonstrate specific protein–protein interactions between MDH and M. capsulatus (Bath) pMMO as well as between MDH and the truncated recombinant periplasmic domains of M. capsulatus (Bath) pMMO (spmoB). These interactions exhibit K_D values of 833 ± 409 nM and 9.0 ± 7.7 μM, respectively. The biochemical data combined with analysis of the crystal lattice interactions observed in the MDH structure suggest a model in which MDH and pMMO associate not as a discrete, stoichiometric complex but as a larger assembly scaffolded by the intracytoplasmic membranes.

PQQ-dependent methanol dehydrogenases: rare-earth elements make a difference

Methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) catalyzes the first step in methanol use by methylotrophic bacteria and the second step in methane conversion by methanotrophs. Gram-negative bacteria possess an MDH with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) as its catalytic center. This MDH belongs to the broad class of eight-bladed β propeller quinoproteins, which comprise a range of other alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases. A well-investigated MDH is the heterotetrameric MxaFI-MDH, which is composed of two large catalytic subunits (MxaF) and two small subunits (MxaI). MxaFI-MDHs bind calcium as a cofactor that assists PQQ in catalysis. Genomic analyses indicated the existence of another MDH distantly related to the MxaFI-MDHs. Recently, several of these so-called XoxF-MDHs have been isolated. XoxF-MDHs described thus far are homodimeric proteins lacking the small subunit and possess a rare-earth element (REE) instead of calcium. The presence of such REE may confer XoxF-MDHs a superior catalytic efficiency. Moreover, XoxF-MDHs are able to oxidize methanol to formate, rather than to formaldehyde as MxaFI-MDHs do. While structures of MxaFI- and XoxF-MDH are conserved, also regarding the binding of PQQ, the accommodation of a REE requires the presence of a specific aspartate residue near the catalytic site. XoxF-MDHs containing such REE-binding motif are abundantly present in genomes of methylotrophic and methanotrophic microorganisms and also in organisms that hitherto are not known for such lifestyle. Moreover, sequence analyses suggest that XoxF-MDHs represent only a small part of putative REE-containing quinoproteins, together covering an unexploited potential of metabolic functions.

Rare earth metals are essential for methanotrophic life in volcanic mudpots

Growth of Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV, an extremely acidophilic methanotrophic microbe isolated from an Italian volcanic mudpot, is shown to be strictly dependent on the presence of lanthanides, a group of rare earth elements (REEs) such as lanthanum (Ln), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium (Nd). After fractionation of the bacterial cells and crystallization of the methanol dehydrogenase (MDH), it was shown that lanthanides were essential as cofactor in a homodimeric MDH comparable with one of the MDHs of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. We hypothesize that the lanthanides provide superior catalytic properties to pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent MDH, which is a key enzyme for both methanotrophs and methylotrophs. Thus far, all isolated MxaF-type MDHs contain calcium as a catalytic cofactor. The gene encoding the MDH of strain SolV was identified to be a xoxF-ortholog, phylogenetically closely related to mxaF. Analysis of the protein structure and alignment of amino acids showed potential REE-binding motifs in XoxF enzymes of many methylotrophs, suggesting that these may also be lanthanide-dependent MDHs. Our findings will have major environmental implications as metagenome studies showed (lanthanide-containing) XoxF-type MDH is much more prominent in nature than MxaF-type enzymes.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of MxaJ, a component of the methanol-oxidizing system operon from the marine bacterium Methylophaga aminisulfidivorans MPT

The methanol-oxidizing system (mox) is essential for methylotrophic bacteria to extract energy during the oxidoreduction reaction and consists of a series of electron-transfer proteins encoded by the mox operon. One of the key enzymes is the α₂β₂ methanol dehydrogenase complex (type I MDH), which converts methanol to formaldehyde during the 2e⁻ transfer through the prosthetic group pyrroloquinoline quinone. MxaJ, a product of mxaJ of the mox operon, is a component of the MDH complex and enhances the methanol-converting activity of the MDH complex. However, the exact functional mechanism of MxaJ in the complex is not clearly known. To investigate the functional role of MxaJ in MDH activity, an attempt was made to determine its crystal structure. Diffraction data were collected from a selenomethionine-substituted crystal to 1.92 Å resolution at the peak wavelength. The crystal belonged to the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁, with unit-cell parameters a = 37.127, b = 63.761, c = 99.246 Å. The asymmetric unit contained one MxaJ molecule with a calculated Matthews coefficient of 2.11 Ų Da⁻¹ and a solvent content of 41.7%. Three-dimensional structure determination of the MxaJ protein is currently in progress by the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion technique and model building.

A catalytic role of XoxF1 as La3+-dependent methanol dehydrogenase in Methylobacterium extorquens strain AM1

In the methylotrophic bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens strain AM1, MxaF, a Ca²⁺-dependent methanol dehydrogenase (MDH), is the main enzyme catalyzing methanol oxidation during growth on methanol. The genome of strain AM1 contains another MDH gene homologue, xoxF1, whose function in methanol metabolism has remained unclear. In this work, we show that XoxF1 also functions as an MDH and is La³⁺-dependent. Despite the absence of Ca²⁺ in the medium strain AM1 was able to grow on methanol in the presence of La³⁺. Addition of La³⁺ increased MDH activity but the addition had no effect on mxaF or xoxF1 expression level. We purified MDH from strain AM1 grown on methanol in the presence of La³⁺, and its N-terminal amino acid sequence corresponded to that of XoxF1. The enzyme contained La³⁺ as a cofactor. The ΔmxaF mutant strain could not grow on methanol in the presence of Ca²⁺, but was able to grow after supplementation with La³⁺. Taken together, these results show that XoxF1 participates in methanol metabolism as a La³⁺-dependent MDH in strain AM1.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of a methanol dehydrogenase from the marine bacterium Methylophaga aminisulfidivorans MP(T)

Methylophaga aminisulfidivorans MP(T) is a marine methylotrophic bacterium that utilizes C(1) compounds such as methanol as a carbon and energy source. The released electron from oxidation flows through a methanol-oxidizing system (MOX) consisting of a series of electron-transfer proteins encoded by the mox operon. One of the key enzymes in the pathway is methanol dehydrogenase (MDH), which contains the prosthetic group pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and converts methanol to formaldehyde in the periplasm by transferring two electrons from the oxidation of one methanol molecule to the electron acceptor cytochrome c(L). In order to obtain molecular insights into the oxidation mechanism, a native heterotetrameric α(2)β(2) MDH complex was directly purified from M. aminisulfidivorans MP(T) grown in the presence of methanol and crystallized. The crystal diffracted to 1.7 Å resolution and belonged to the monoclinic space group P2(1) (unit-cell parameters a = 63.9, b = 109.5, c = 95.6 Å, β = 100.5°). The asymmetric unit of the crystal contained one heterotetrameric complex, with a calculated Matthews coefficient of 2.24 Å(3) Da(-1) and a solvent content of 45.0%.

Functional investigation of methanol dehydrogenase-like protein XoxF in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1

Methanol dehydrogenase-like protein XoxF of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 exhibits a sequence identity of 50 % to the catalytic subunit MxaF of periplasmic methanol dehydrogenase in the same organism. The latter has been characterized in detail, identified as a pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent protein, and shown to be essential for growth in the presence of methanol in this methylotrophic model bacterium. In contrast, the function of XoxF in M. extorquens AM1 has not yet been elucidated, and a phenotype remained to be described for a xoxF mutant. Here, we found that a xoxF mutant is less competitive than the wild-type during colonization of the phyllosphere of Arabidopsis thaliana, indicating a function for XoxF during plant colonization. A comparison of the growth parameters of the M. extorquens AM1 xoxF mutant with those of the wild-type during exponential growth revealed a reduced methanol uptake rate and a reduced growth rate for the xoxF mutant of about 30 %. Experiments with cells starved for carbon revealed that methanol oxidation in the xoxF mutant occurs less rapidly compared with the wild-type, especially in the first minutes after methanol addition. A distinct phenotype for the xoxF mutant was also observed when formate and CO2 production were measured after the addition of methanol or formaldehyde to starved cells. The wild-type, but not the xoxF mutant, accumulated formate upon substrate addition and had a 1 h lag in CO2 production under the experimental conditions. Determination of the kinetic properties of the purified enzyme showed a conversion capacity for both formaldehyde and methanol. The results suggest that XoxF is involved in one-carbon metabolism in M. extorquens AM1.

Methylobacterium genome sequences: a reference blueprint to investigate microbial metabolism of C1 compounds from natural and industrial sources

Background

Methylotrophy describes the ability of organisms to grow on reduced organic compounds without carbon-carbon bonds. The genomes of two pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria of the Alpha-proteobacterial genus Methylobacterium, the reference species Methylobacterium extorquens strain AM1 and the dichloromethane-degrading strain DM4, were compared.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The 6.88 Mb genome of strain AM1 comprises a 5.51 Mb chromosome, a 1.26 Mb megaplasmid and three plasmids, while the 6.12 Mb genome of strain DM4 features a 5.94 Mb chromosome and two plasmids. The chromosomes are highly syntenic and share a large majority of genes, while plasmids are mostly strain-specific, with the exception of a 130 kb region of the strain AM1 megaplasmid which is syntenic to a chromosomal region of strain DM4. Both genomes contain large sets of insertion elements, many of them strain-specific, suggesting an important potential for genomic plasticity. Most of the genomic determinants associated with methylotrophy are nearly identical, with two exceptions that illustrate the metabolic and genomic versatility of Methylobacterium. A 126 kb dichloromethane utilization (dcm) gene cluster is essential for the ability of strain DM4 to use DCM as the sole carbon and energy source for growth and is unique to strain DM4. The methylamine utilization (mau) gene cluster is only found in strain AM1, indicating that strain DM4 employs an alternative system for growth with methylamine. The dcm and mau clusters represent two of the chromosomal genomic islands (AM1: 28; DM4: 17) that were defined. The mau cluster is flanked by mobile elements, but the dcm cluster disrupts a gene annotated as chelatase and for which we propose the name “island integration determinant” (iid).

Conclusion/Significance

These two genome sequences provide a platform for intra- and interspecies genomic comparisons in the genus Methylobacterium, and for investigations of the adaptive mechanisms which allow bacterial lineages to acquire methylotrophic lifestyles.