Biomedical subjects

Arwen R Pearson

Publications and source records attributed to Arwen R Pearson.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Tracking X-ray-derived redox changes in crystals of a methylamine dehydrogenase/amicyanin complex using single-crystal UV/Vis microspectrophotometry.

X-ray exposure during crystallographic data collection can result in unintended redox changes in proteins containing functionally important redox centers. In order to directly monitor X-ray-derived redox changes in trapped oxidative half-reaction intermediates of Paracoccus denitrificans methylamine dehydrogenase, a commercially available single-crystal UV/Vis microspectrophotometer was installed on-line at the BioCARS beamline 14-BM-C at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne, USA. Monitoring the redox state of the intermediates during X-ray exposure permitted the creation of a general multi-crystal data collection strategy to generate true structures of each redox intermediate.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2006

Mechanistic possibilities in MauG-dependent tryptophan tryptophylquinone biosynthesis.

Tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ), the prosthetic group of methylamine dehydrogenase, is formed by post-translational modifications of two tryptophan residues that result in the incorporation of two oxygens into one tryptophan side chain and the covalent cross-linking of that side chain to a second tryptophan residue. MauG is a novel 42 kDa di-heme protein, which is required for the biosynthesis of TTQ. An experimental system has been developed that allows the direct continuous monitoring of MauG-dependent TTQ biosynthesis in vitro. Four diverse electron donors, ascorbate, dithiothreitol, reduced glutathione, and NADH, were each able to provide reducing equivalents for MauG-dependent TTQ biosynthesis under aerobic conditions. The reaction with NADH was mediated by an NADH-dependent oxidoreductase. Under anaerobic conditions in the absence of an electron donor, H(2)O(2) could serve as a substrate for MauG-dependent TTQ biosynthesis. During the reaction with H(2)O(2), a discrete reaction intermediate was observed, which is likely the reduced quinol form of TTQ that then is oxidized to the quinone. These results suggest that not only the incorporation of oxygen into the monohydroxylated biosynthetic intermediate but also the subsequent oxidation of quinol MADH during TTQ biosynthesis is a MauG-dependent process. The implications of these results in elucidating the mechanism of MauG-dependent TTQ biosynthesis and identifying potential physiologic electron and oxygen donors for TTQ biosynthesis in vivo are discussed.

Electrons↗

PubMed2006

Isotope labeling studies reveal the order of oxygen incorporation into the tryptophan tryptophylquinone cofactor of methylamine dehydrogenase.

The bacterial enzyme methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) contains the protein-derived cofactor tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ). TTQ is generated by the posttranslational modification of two endogenous MADH tryptophans, betaW57 and betaW108. Two oxygens are inserted sequentially into betaW57 to generate the quinone moiety, after which it is cross-linked to betaW108. We have previously shown that the second oxygenation and cross-link formation are catalyzed by the novel di-heme cytochrome MauG. Here we show, using isotopically labeled oxygen and water, that the first addition of oxygen occurs specifically at the C7 position of betaW57 and that MauG then inserts the second oxygen at position C6.

Catalysis↗

PubMed2006

Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction of a novel Nitrosomonas europaea cytochrome, cytochrome P460.

Cytochrome P460 from Nitrosomonas europaea, a novel mono-heme protein containing an unusual cross-link between a conserved lysine and the porphyrin ring, has been recombinantly expressed and purified from Escherichia coli. The protein crystallizes readily and diffraction to 1.7 angstroms has been obtained in-house. The crystals belong to the trigonal space group P3(1/2)21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 53.3, c = 127.1 angstroms, and contain one monomer in the asymmetric unit.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2005

MauG-dependent in vitro biosynthesis of tryptophan tryptophylquinone in methylamine dehydrogenase.

Tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) is the prosthetic group of methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) and is synthesized through post-translational modification of two endogenous tryptophan residues. This modification involves two oxygenation reactions and one cross-linking reaction. It is clearly shown that the incorporation of the second oxygen into betaTrp57 and the covalent cross-linking of betaTrp57 to betaTrp108 are MauG-dependent processes. These reaction steps are severely compromised in vivo when mauG is mutated or deleted. These steps may then be catalyzed in vitro upon addition of MauG to the isolated biosynthetic intermediates. These results also show that TTQ formation is linked to proper assembly of subunits during MADH biosynthesis. Last, these results demonstrate a novel function for the c-type heme protein, MauG, which is consistent with its atypical physical properties. These results are the first description of an enzyme-mediated biosynthesis of a protein-derived cofactor in vitro.

Hemeproteins↗

PubMed2005

Active site aspartate residues are critical for tryptophan tryptophylquinone biogenesis in methylamine dehydrogenase.

The biosynthesis of methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) requires formation of six intrasubunit disulfide bonds, incorporation of two oxygens into residue betaTrp57 and covalent cross-linking of betaTrp57 to betaTrp108 to form the protein-derived cofactor tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ). Residues betaAsp76 and betaAsp32 are located in close proximity to the quinone oxygens of TTQ in the enzyme active site. These residues are structurally conserved in quinohemoprotein amine dehydrogenase, which possesses a cysteine tryptophylquinone cofactor. Relatively conservative betaD76N and betaD32N mutations resulted in very low levels of MADH expression. Analysis of the isolated proteins by mass spectrometry revealed that each mutation affected TTQ biogenesis. betaD76N MADH possessed the six disulfides but had no oxygen incorporated into betaTrp57 and was completely inactive. The betaD32N MADH preparation contained a major species with six disulfides but no oxygen incorporated into betaTrp57 and a minor species with both oxygens incorporated, which was active. The steady-state kinetic parameters for the betaD32N mutant were significantly altered by the mutation and exhibited a 1000-fold increase in the Km value for methylamine. These results have allowed us to more clearly define the sequence of events that lead to TTQ biogenesis and to define novel roles for aspartate residues in the biogenesis of a protein-derived cofactor.

Aspartic Acid↗

PubMed2004

Further insights into quinone cofactor biogenesis: probing the role of mauG in methylamine dehydrogenase tryptophan tryptophylquinone formation.

Paracoccus denitrificans methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) is an enzyme containing a quinone cofactor tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) derived from two tryptophan residues (betaTrp(57) and betaTrp(108)) within the polypeptide chain. During cofactor formation, the two tryptophan residues become covalently linked, and two carbonyl oxygens are added to the indole ring of betaTrp(57). Expression of active MADH from P. denitrificans requires four other genes in addition to those that encode the polypeptides of the MADH alpha(2)beta(2) heterotetramer. One of these, mauG, has been shown to be involved in TTQ biogenesis. It contains two covalently attached c-type hemes but exhibits unusual properties compared to c-type cytochromes and diheme cytochrome c peroxidases, to which it has some sequence similarity. To test the role that MauG may play in TTQ maturation, the predicted proximal histidine to each heme (His(35) and His(205)) has each been mutated to valine, and wild-type MADH was expressed in the background of these two mauG mutants. The resultant MADH has been characterized by mass spectrometry and electrophoretic and kinetic analyses. The majority species is a TTQ biogenesis intermediate containing a monohydroxylated betaTrp(57), suggesting that this is the natural substrate for MauG. Previous work has shown that MADH mutated at the betaTrp(108) position (the non-oxygenated TTQ partner) is predominantly also this intermediate, and work on these mutants is extended and compared to the MADH expressed in the background of the histidine to valine mauG mutations. In this study, it is unequivocally demonstrated that MauG is required to initiate the formation of the TTQ cross-link, the conversion of a single hydroxyl located on betaTrp(57) to a carbonyl, and the incorporation of the second oxygen into the TTQ ring to complete TTQ biogenesis. The properties of MauG, which are atypical of c-type cytochromes, are discussed in the context of these final stages of TTQ biogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Microspectrophotometry for structural enzymology.

For several decades, single-crystal microspectrophotometry has contributed to structural enzymology as a very useful complement to X-ray crystallography. In its most recent applications, it is the ideal tool to track chemistry as structure evolves in the course of time-resolved experiments, to identify freeze-trapped catalytic intermediates and to assess radiation-induced effects on enzyme crystals. To these goals, instruments have been developed to record optical spectra 'on-line' in the course of X-ray data collection, whereas more rigorous polarized absorption studies 'off-line' play an essential role in describing what protein function is retained in the crystalline state and correlating it with the observed structures.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

MauG, a novel diheme protein required for tryptophan tryptophylquinone biogenesis.

The biosynthesis of methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) from Paracoccus denitrificans requires four genes in addition to those that encode the two structural protein subunits. None of these gene products have been previously isolated. One of these, mauG, exhibits sequence similarity to diheme cytochrome c peroxidases and is required for the synthesis of the tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) prosthetic group of MADH. A system was developed for the homologous expression of MauG in P. denitrificans. Its signal sequence was correctly processed, and it was purified from the periplasmic cell fraction. The protein contains two covalent c-type hemes, as predicted from the deduced sequence. EPR spectroscopy reveals that the protein as isolated possesses about equal amounts of one high-spin heme with axial symmetry and one low-spin heme with rhombic symmetry. The low-spin heme contains a major and minor component suggesting a small degree of heme heterogeneity. The high-spin heme and the major low-spin heme component each exhibit resonances that are atypical of c-type hemes and dissimilar to those reported for diheme cytochrome c peroxidases. MauG exhibited only very weak peroxidase activity when assayed with either c-type cytochromes or o-dianisidine as an electron donor. Fully reduced MauG was shown to bind carbon monoxide and could be reoxidized by oxygen. The relevance of these unusual properties of MauG is discussed in the context of its role in TTQ biogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Catching catalysis in the act: using single crystal kinetics to trap methylamine dehydrogenase reaction intermediates.

Methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) is produced by a range of gram-negative methylotrophic and autotrophic bacteria, and allows the organisms to utilise methylamine as the sole source of carbon. The enzyme catalyses the oxidation of methylamine to formaldehyde and ammonia, leaving it in a two-electron reduced state. To complete the catalytic cycle, MADH is reoxidised via an electron transfer (ET) chain. The redox center in the enzyme is the organic cofactor tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) derived from the posttranslational modification of two Trp residues in the protein. This cofactor has spectral features in the visible region, which change during catalytic turnover, defining spectrally distinct reaction intermediates that reflect the electronic state of the TTQ. In the case of the Paracoccus denitrificans enzyme the physiologic ET chain involves the protein redox partner amicyanin (a blue copper protein). A stable binary (MADH/amicyanin) complex can be formed, and its crystal structure has been solved to 2.5 A resolution by Chen et al. [Biochemistry 21 (1992) 4959]. These crystals were shown to be competent for catalysis and ET by Merli et al. [J. Biol. Chem. 271 (1996) 9177] using single crystal polarised absorption spectroscopy. Through a novel combination of single crystal visible microspectrophotometry, X-ray crystallography and freeze-trapping, we have trapped reaction intermediates of the enzyme in complex with its physiological redox partner amicyanin in the crystalline state. We will present data confirming that catalysis and ET in the binary complex crystals can be tracked by single crystal visible microspectrophotometry. We will also show that the reaction pathway is unperturbed by the presence of cryoprotectant solution, enabling direct freeze-trapping of reaction intermediates within the crystal. We will present new data demonstrating that the binary complex crystals are also capable of exhibiting UV light-dependent oxidase activity, as observed in solution [Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1364 (1998) 297].

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Understanding quinone cofactor biogenesis in methylamine dehydrogenase through novel cofactor generation.

Cofactors made from constitutive amino acids in proteins are now known to be relatively common. A number of these involve the generation of quinone cofactors, such as topaquinone in the copper-containing amine oxidases, and lysine tyrosylquinone in lysyl oxidase. The biogenesis of the quinone cofactor tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) in methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) involves the post-translational modification of two constitutive Trp residues (Trp(beta)(57) and Trp(beta)(108) in Paracoccus denitrificans MADH). The modifications for generating TTQ are the addition of two oxygens to the indole ring of Trp(beta)(57) and the formation of a covalent cross-link between Cepsilon3 of Trp(beta)(57) and Cdelta1 of Trp(beta)(108). The order in which these events occur is unknown. To investigate the role Trp(beta)(108) may play in this process, this residue was mutated to both a His (betaW108H) and a Cys (betaW108C) residue. For each mutant, the majority of the protein that was isolated was inactive and exhibited weaker subunit-subunit interactions than native MADH. Analysis by mass spectrometry suggested that the inactive protein was a biosynthetic intermediate with only one oxygen atom incorporated into Trp(beta)(57) and no cross-link with residue beta108. However, in each mutant preparation, a small percentage of the mutant enzyme was active and appears to possess a functional tryptophylquinone cofactor. In the case of betaW108C, this cofactor may be identical to cysteine tryptophylquinone, recently described in the bacterial quinohemoprotein amine dehydrogenase. In betaW108H, the active cofactor is presumably a histidine tryptophylquinone, which has not been previously described, and represents the synthesis of a novel quinone protein cofactor.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Cryocrystallography of metalloprotein reaction intermediates.

Freeze-trapping reaction intermediates in macromolecular crystals is now a proven technique for obtaining their high-resolution structures by X-ray crystallography. The structural study of metalloprotein mechanisms has spearheaded this work, mainly because of the increased availability of single-crystal UV/visible spectrophotometry that enables reaction monitoring in the crystalline state. In particular, through formation of the frozen glass state, the stabilization of intermediates involving dissolved gases has yielded some of the most spectacular results. Metalloprotein systems still dominate this field, and the most recent successes, along with the accompanying advances in methodology, are presented.

Cold Temperature↗