Isolation and primary structural analysis of two conjugated polyketone reductases from Candida parapsilosis

Increasing catalytic efficiency of SceCPR by semi-rational engineering towards the asymmetric reduction of D-pantolactone

D-pantolactone (D-PL) is one of the important chiral intermediates in the synthesis of D-pantothenic acid. Our previous study has revealed that ketopantolactone (KPL) reductase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SceCPR) could asymmetrically reduce KPL to D-PL with a relatively weak activity. In this study, engineering of SceCPR was performed using a semi-rational design to enhance its catalytic activity. Based on the computer-aided design including phylogenetic analysis and molecular dynamics simulation, Ser158, Asn159, Gln180, Tyr208, Tyr298 and Trp299 were identified as the potential sites. Semi-saturation, single and combined-site mutagenesis was performed on all six residues, and several mutants with improved enzymatic activities were obtained. Among them, the mutant SceCPRS158A/Y298H exhibited the highest catalytic efficiency in which the kcat/Km value is 2466.22 s-1·mM-1, 18.5 times higher than that of SceCPR. The 3D structural analysis showed that the mutant SceCPRS158A/Y298H had an expanded and increased hydrophilicity catalytic pocket, and an enhanced π-π interaction which could contribute to faster conversion efficiency and higher catalytic rate. The whole cell system containing SceCPRS158A/Y298H and glucose dehydrogenase (GDH), under the optimized condition, could reduce 490.21 mM D-PL with e.e.≧ 99%, conversion rate = 98%, and the space-time yield = 382.80 g·L-1·d-1, which is the highest level reported so far.

Recombinant expression and molecular insights into the catalytic mechanism of an NADPH-dependent conjugated polyketone reductase for the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-pantolactone

(R)-pantolactone is a key chiral intermediate for synthesizing calcium (R)-pantothenate. The commercial synthesis of (R)-pantolactone is performed through the resolution of racemic pantolactone using lactonase-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis. The process needs highly toxic hydrogen cyanide and a tedious dynamic kinetic resolution. In this study, we investigated an alternative method to prepare (R)-pantolactone through asymmetric reduction of ketopantolactone (KPL). An NADPH-dependent conjugated polyketone reductase gene from Candida dubliniensis CD36 (CduCPR) was functionally overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Recombinant CduCPR belonged to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily, and showed high catalytic activity and stereoselectivity using KPL as the substrate. In a continuous feeding reaction, 200 mM ketopantolactone was reduced to (R)-pantolactone with 98% conversion and 99% enantiomeric excess (e.e.) within 2.0 h. The catalytic mechanism was further investigated. Tyr66 functions as a proton donor following hydrogen transfer from NADPH. Thr30 and His128 are critical residues to bind and orient KPL. Therefore, the recombinant CduCPR from C. dubliniensis exhibited potential application in the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-pantolactone.

Discovery of a new NADPH-dependent aldo-keto reductase from Candida orthopsilosis catalyzing the stereospecific synthesis of (R)-pantolactone by genome mining

(R)-Pantolactone (PL) is a key chiral intermediate for the synthesis of calcium (R)-pantothenate and (R)-panthenol used as food additives. The commercial production of (R)-pantothenate is performed by the resolution of racemic pantothenate, which is synthesized through an aldol condensation and a cyanation reaction. In this study, we investigated another synthetic method of (R)-pantothenate through the stereoselective reduction of ketopantoyl lactone (KPL) by aldo-keto reductase (AKR). A series of conjugated polyketone reductases (CPRs) were discovered from GenBank database by genome mining approach. The putative CPR gene from Candida orthopsilosis Co 90-125 (CorCPR) was cloned and functionally expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The optimum pH and temperature of recombinant CorCPR were 6.0-7.0 and 40 ℃, respectively. The K_m and v_max toward KPL were1.3 mM and 227.3 μmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The conserved sequences suggest that CorCPR belongs to AKR3C family of AKR superfamily. Furthermore, a catalytic tetrad was proposed, and the detailed mechanism was clarified by molecular docking. In a batch reaction, 50 mM KPL was reduced to (R)-PL with 99% conversion and > 99% enantiomeric excess within 5 h. The recombinant CorCPR from C. orthopsilosis shows potential application in the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-pantothenate preparation.

Crystal structure of conjugated polyketone reductase (CPR-C1) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708 complexed with NADPH

Conjugated polyketone reductase (CPR-C1) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708 is a member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily and reduces ketopantoyl lactone to d-pantoyl lactone in a NADPH-dependent and stereospecific manner. We determined the crystal structure of CPR-C1.NADPH complex at 2.20 Å resolution. CPR-C1 adopted a triose-phosphate isomerase (TIM) barrel fold at the core of the structure in which Thr25 and Lys26 of the GXGTX motif bind uniquely to the adenosine 2'-phosphate group of NADPH. This finding provides a novel structural basis for NADPH binding of the AKR superfamily.

Structure of conjugated polyketone reductase from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708 reveals conformational changes for substrate recognition upon NADPH binding

Conjugated polyketone reductase C2 (CPR-C2) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708, identified as a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent ketopantoyl lactone reductase, belongs to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily. This enzyme reduces ketopantoyl lactone to D-pantoyl lactone in a strictly stereospecific manner. To elucidate the structural basis of the substrate specificity, we determined the crystal structures of the apo CPR-C2 and CPR-C2/NADPH complex at 1.70 and 1.80 Å resolutions, respectively. CPR-C2 adopted a triose-phosphate isomerase barrel fold at the core of the structure. Binding with the cofactor NADPH induced conformational changes in which Thr27 and Lys28 moved 15 and 5.0 Å, respectively, in the close vicinity of the adenosine 2'-phosphate group of NADPH to form hydrogen bonds. Based on the comparison of the CPR-C2/NADPH structure with 3-α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and mutation analyses, we constructed substrate binding models with ketopantoyl lactone, which provided insight into the substrate specificity by the cofactor-induced structure. The results will be useful for the rational design of CPR-C2 mutants targeted for use in the industrial manufacture of ketopantoyl lactone.

Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of conjugated polyketone reductase C2 (CPR-C2) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708

Conjugated polyketone reductase C2 (CPR-C2) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708 is a member of the NADPH-dependent aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily and catalyzes the stereospecific reduction of ketopantoyl lactone to d-pantoyl lactone. A diffraction-quality crystal of recombinant CPR-C2 was obtained by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method using PEG 3350 as the precipitant. The crystal diffracted X-rays to 1.7 angstrom resolution on beamline NW12A of the Photon Factory-Advanced Ring (Tsukuba, Japan). The crystal belonged to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 55.02, b = 68.30, c = 68.93 angstrom. The Matthews coefficient (V(M) = 1.76 angstrom(3) Da(-1)) indicated that the crystal contained one CPR-C2 molecule per asymmetric unit.

A novel NADH-dependent carbonyl reductase with unusual stereoselectivity for (R)-specific reduction from an (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol-producing micro-organism: purification and characterization

AIMS

To purify and characterize the (R)-specific carbonyl reductase from Candida parapsilosis; to compare the enzyme with other stereospecific oxidoreductases; and to develop an available procedure producing optically active (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol (PED).

METHODS AND RESULTS

An (R)-specific carbonyl reductase was found and purified from C. parapsilosis through four steps, including blue-sepharose affinity chromatography. The relative molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 35 kDa on gel-filtration chromatography and 37.5 kDa on Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme catalysed the reduction of various ketones, including alkyl and aromatic ketones, and was specific to short-chain and medium-chain alkyl ketones. The enzyme activity was inhibited by divalent ion of CuSO(4) and FeSO(4), whereas zincum ion stimulated its activity. For catalysing reduction, the enzyme performed maximum activity at pH 6.0 and the optimum temperature was 45 degrees C. The carbonyl reductase catalysed asymmetric reduction of beta-hydroxyacetophenone to the corresponding (R)-PED with the optical purity of 100% enantiomeric excess (e.e.). By analysing its partial amino acid sequences, the enzyme was proposed to be a novel stereospecific carbonyl reductase.

CONCLUSIONS

The purified carbonyl reductase showed unusual stereospecificity and catalysed the NADH-dependent reduction of beta-hydroxyacetophenone to (R)-PED. The enzyme was different from other stereoselective oxidoreductases in catalytic properties.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The discovery of (R)-specific oxidoreductase exhibiting unusual stereospecificity towards hydroxyl ketone is valuable for the synthesis of both enantiomers of useful chiral alcohols, and provides research basis for the achievement of profound knowledge on the relationship between structure and catalytic function of (R)-specific enzymes, which is meaningful for the alteration of stereospecificity by molecular methods to obtain the enzymes with desired stereospecificity.

Gene cloning and overexpression of two conjugated polyketone reductases, novel aldo-keto reductase family enzymes, of Candida parapsilosis

The genes encoding two conjugated polyketone reductases (CPR-C1, CPR-C2) of Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708 were cloned and sequenced. The genes encoded a total of 304 and 307 amino acid residues for CPR-C1 and CPR-C2, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences of the two enzymes showed high similarity to each other and to several proteins of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. However, several amino acid residues in putative active sites of AKRs were not conserved in CPR-C1 and CPR-C2. The two CPR genes were overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The E. coli transformant bearing the CPR-C2 gene almost stoichiometrically reduced 30 mg ketopantoyl lactone/ml to D-pantoyl lactone.