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C Dale Poulter

Publications and source records attributed to C Dale Poulter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Farnesyl diphosphate synthase: the art of compromise between substrate selectivity and stereoselectivity.

Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase catalyzes the consecutive head-to-tail condensations of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP, C5) with dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP, C5) and geranyl diphosphate (GPP, C10) to give (E,E)-FPP (C15). The enzyme belongs to a genetically distinct family of chain elongation enzymes that install E-double bonds during each addition of a five-carbon isoprene unit. Analysis of the C10 and C15 products from incubations with avian FPP synthase reveals that small amounts of neryl diphosphate (Z-C10) and (Z,E)-FPP are formed along with the E-isomers during the C5 --> C10 and C10 --> C15 reactions. Similar results were obtained for FPP synthase from Escherichia coli, Artemisia tridentata (sage brush), Pyrococcus furiosus, and Methanobacter thermautotrophicus and for GPP and FPP synthesized in vivo by E. coli FPP synthase. When (R)-[2-2H]IPP was a substrate for chain elongation, no deuterium was found in the chain elongation products. In contrast, the deuterium in (S)-[2-2H]IPP was incorporated into all of the products. Thus, the pro-R hydrogen at C2 of IPP is lost when the E- and Z-double bond isomers are formed. The synthesis of Z-double bond isomers by FPP synthase during chain elongation is unexpected for a highly evolved enzyme and probably reflects a compromise between optimizing double bond stereoselectivity and the need to exclude DMAPP from the IPP binding site.

Artemisia↗

Escherichia coli type I isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase: structural and catalytic roles for divalent metals.

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI) catalyzes the essential conversion of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) to dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) in the mevalonate entry into the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. Two convergently evolved forms of IDI are known. Type I IDI, which is found in Eukarya and many Bacteria, catalyzes the isomerization of IPP and DMAPP by a protonation-deprotonation mechanism. The enzyme requires two divalent metal ions for activity. An X-ray structure of type I IDI from crystals soaked with (N,N-dimethylamino)-1-ethyl diphosphate (NIPP), a potent transition-state analogue for the carbocationic intermediate in the isomerization reaction, shows one of the metals in a His(3)Glu(2) hexacoordinate binding site, while the other forms a bridge between the diphosphate moiety of the substrate and the enzyme (Wouters, J.; et al. J. Biol. Chem. 2003, 278, 11903). Reconstitution of metal-free recombinant Escherichia coli type I IDI with several divalent metals-Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), and Cd(2+)-generated active enzyme. Freshly purified IDI contained substoichiometric levels of a single metal ion, presumably bound in the hexacoordinate site. When NIPP was added to the disruption and purification buffers of enzyme, the purified protein contained 0.72 equiv of Mg(2+), 0.92 equiv of Zn(2+), and 0.10 equiv of Mn(2+). These results are consistent with a structure in which Mg(2+) facilitates diphosphate binding and Zn(2+) or Mn(2+) occupies the hexacoordinate site.

Buffers↗

Regio- and chemoselective covalent immobilization of proteins through unnatural amino acids.

A general approach was developed for the regio- and chemoselective covalent immobilization of soluble proteins on glass surfaces through an unnatural amino acid created by post-translationally modifying the cysteine residue in a CaaX recognition motif with functional groups suitable for "click" chemistry or a Staudinger ligation. Farnesyl diphosphate analogues bearing omega-azide or omega-alkyne moieties were attached to the cysteine residue in Cys-Val-Ile-Ala motifs at the C-termini of engineered versions of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) by protein farnesyltransferase. The derivatized proteins were attached to glass slides bearing linkers containing azide ("click" chemistry) or phosphine (Staudinger ligation) groups. "Click"-immobilized proteins were detected by fluorescently labeled antibodies and remained attached to the slide through two cycles of stripping under stringent conditions at 80 degrees C. GFP immobilized by a Staudinger ligation was detected by directly imagining the GFP fluorophore over a period of 6 days. These methods for covalent immobilization of proteins should be generally applicable. CaaX recognition motifs can easily be appended to the C-terminus of a cloned protein by a simple modification of the corresponding gene, and virtually any soluble protein or peptide bearing a CaaX motif is a substrate for protein farnesyltransferase.

Amino Acids↗

Synthesis of deuterium-labeled derivatives of dimethylallyl diphosphate.

Short practical syntheses for five deuterium-labeled derivatives of dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) useful for enzymological studies are reported. These include the preparation of the C1-labeled derivatives (R)-[1-2H]3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate ((R)-[1-2H]1-OPP) and (S)-[1-2H]3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate ((S)-[1-2H]1-OPP), the C2-labeled derivative [2-2H]3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate ([2-2H]1-OPP), and the methyl-labeled derivatives (E)-[4,4,4-2H3]3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate ((E)-[4,4,4-2H3]1-OPP) and (Z)-[4,4,4-2H3]3-methyl-but-2-enyl diphosphate ((Z)-[4,4,4-2H3]1-OPP).

Deuterium↗

Lethal mutations in the isoprenoid pathway of Salmonella enterica.

Essential isoprenoid compounds are synthesized using the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway in many gram-negative bacteria, some gram-positive bacteria, some apicomplexan parasites, and plant chloroplasts. The alternative mevalonate pathway is found in archaea and eukaryotes, including cytosolic biosynthesis in plants. The existence of orthogonal essential pathways in eukaryotes and bacteria makes the MEP pathway an attractive target for the development of antimicrobial agents. A system is described for identifying mutations in the MEP pathway of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Using this system, point mutations induced by diethyl sulfate were found in the all genes of the essential MEP pathway and also in genes involved in uptake of methylerythritol. Curiously, none of the MEP pathway genes could be identified in the same parent strain by transposon mutagenesis, despite extensive searches. The results complement the biochemical and bioinformatic approaches to the elucidation of the genes involved in the MEP pathway and also identify key residues for activity in the enzymes of the pathway.

Erythritol↗

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase. Mechanism-based inhibition by diene analogues of isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate.

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI) catalyzes the interconversion of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). This is an essential step in the mevalonate entry into the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. The isomerization catalyzed by type I IDI involves protonation of the carbon-carbon double bond in IPP or DMAPP to form a tertiary carbocation, followed by deprotonation. Diene analogues for DMAPP (E-2-OPP and Z-2-OPP) and IPP (4-OPP) were synthesized and found to be potent active-site-directed irreversible inhibitors of the enzyme. X-ray analysis of the E.I complex between Escherichia coli IDI and 4-OPP reveals the presence of two isomers that differ in the stereochemistry of the newly formed C3-C4 double bond in the hydrocarbon chain of the inhibitor. In both adducts C5 of the inhibitor is joined to the sulfur of C67. In these structures the methyl group formed upon protonation of the diene moiety in 4-OPP is located near E116, implicating that residue in the protonation step.

Carbon-Carbon Double Bond Isomerases↗

Synthesis and evaluation of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate analogues as chelation-based inhibitors of methylerythritol phosphate synthase.

[structures: see text] A series of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) analogues were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of E. coli methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) synthase. In analogues 1-4, the methyl group in DXP was replaced by hydroxyl, hydroxylamino, methoxy, and amino moieties, respectively. In analogues 5 and 6, the acetyl moiety in DXP was replaced by hydroxymethyl and aminomethyl groups. These compounds were designed to coordinate to the active site divalent metal in MEP synthase. The carboxylate (1), methyl ester (3), amide (4), and alcohol (5) analogues were inhibitors with IC50's ranging from 0.25 to 1.0 mM. The hydroxamic acid (2) and amino (6) analogues did not inhibit the enzyme.

Aldose-Ketose Isomerases↗

Structure of Thermus thermophilus type 2 isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase inferred from crystallography and molecular dynamics.

Crystal structures of Thermus thermophilus and Bacillus subtilis type 2 IPP isomerases were combined to generate an almost complete model of the FMN-bound structure of the enzyme. In contrast to previous studies, positions of flexible loops were obtained and carefully analyzed by molecular dynamics. Docking simulations find a unique putative binding site for the IPP substrate.

Carbon-Carbon Double Bond Isomerases↗

Cloning and expression of IspDF from Mesorhizobium loti. Characterization of a bifunctional protein that catalyzes non-consecutive steps in the methylerythritol phosphate pathway.

Gram-negative bacteria, plant chloroplasts, green algae and some Gram-positive bacteria utilize the 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids. IspD, ispE, and ispF encode the enzymes required to convert MEP to 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate (cMEDP) during the biosynthesis of isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate in the MEP pathway. Upon analysis of the Mesorhizobium loti genome, ORF mll0395 showed homology to both ispD and ispF and appeared to encode a fusion protein. M. loti ispE was located elsewhere on the chromosome. Purified recombinant IspDF protein was mostly a homodimer, MW approximately 46 kDa/subunit. Incubation of IspDF with MEP, CTP, and ATP gave 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-d-erythritol (CDP-ME) as the only product. When Escherichia coli IspE protein was added to the incubation mixture, cMEDP was formed. In addition, M. loti ORF mll0395 complements lethal disruptions in both ispD and ispF in Salmonella typhimurium. These results indicate that IspDF is a bifunctional protein, which catalyzes the first and third steps in the conversion of MEP to cMEDP.

Alphaproteobacteria↗

Synthesis and evaluation of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphoric acid analogues as alternate substrates for methylerythritol phosphate synthase.

[structure: see text] Four deoxyxylulose phosphate (DXP) analogues were synthesized and evaluated as substrates/inhibitors for methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) synthase. In analogues CF(3)-DXP (1), CF(2)-DXP (2), and CF-DXP (3), the three methyl hydrogens at C1 of DXP were sequentially replaced by fluorine. In the fourth analogue, Et-DXP (4), the methyl group in DXP was replaced by an ethyl moiety. Analogues 1, 2, and 4 were not substrates for MEP synthase under normal catalytic conditions and were instead modest inhibitors with IC(50) values of 2.0, 3.4, and 6.2 mM, respectively. In contrast, 3 was a good substrate (k(cat) = 38 s(-)(1), K(m) = 227 muM) with a turnover rate similar to that of the natural substrate. These results are consistent with a retro-aldol/aldol mechanism rather than an alpha-ketol rearrangement for the enzyme-catalyzed conversion of DXP to MEP.

Aldose-Ketose Isomerases↗

Proton exchange in type II isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase.

[reaction: see text] Type II isopentenyl diphosphate:dimethylallyl diphosphate (IPP:DMAPP) isomerase from Synechocystis PCC 6803 catalyzes the interconversion of IPP and DMAPP. Upon incubation of the enzyme with IPP or DMAPP in 2H2O, one deuterium is incorporated into the C2 methylene of IPP, two deuteriums are incorporated at C4, and three deuteriums are incorporated into the (E)-methyl of DMAPP.

Carbon-Carbon Double Bond Isomerases↗

Synthesis and biological activity of isopentenyl diphosphate analogues.

A series of analogues of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) having a dicarboxylate moiety in place of the diphosphate were synthesized and investigated as inhibitors of undecaprenyl diphosphate (UPP) synthase and protein farnesyltransferase (PFTase). PFTase is involved in control of cell proliferation and is known to be inhibited by certain maleic acid derivatives bearing long alkyl substituents (> or =12 carbons, e.g., chaetomellic acid). UPP synthase is a potential target for antimicrobial agents and utilizes isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) as a substrate. A number of dicarboxylate-containing IPP analogues were prepared in 2-5 steps from commercially available starting materials with good overall yield (20-78%). These syntheses involved the conjugate addition of an organocuprate to dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) followed by basic ester hydrolysis. The E-pentenylbutanedioic acid 32 showed inhibition of UPP synthase with an IC(50) of 135 microM. Compound 30 displays competitive inhibition of PFTase with a K(i) of 287 microM.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Three-dimensional structure of the mini-M conotoxin mr3a.

Conotoxin mr3a from the venom of Conus marmoreus, a novel peptide that induces rolling seizures in mice, has the peptide sequence GCCGSFACRFGCVOCCV, where O is trans-4-hydroxyproline, and the chain is cross-linked with disulfide bonds between Cys-2 and Cys-16, Cys-3 and Cys-12, and Cys-8 and Cys-15. The tertiary structure of mr3a was determined by 2D 1H NMR in combination with a standard distance-geometry algorithm. The final set of 22 structures for the peptide had a mean global backbone RMS deviation of 0.53 +/- 0.22 A based on 51 NOE, 6 hydrogen bond, 6 phi dihedral angle, and 3 disulfide bond constraints. Conotoxin mr3a is the first example of the new mini-M branch of conopeptides in the M superfamily. Members of the maxi-M branch, whose structures are known, include the mu- and psi-conotoxins, both of which share a common disulfide bond connectivity. Although mr3a has the same arrangement of Cys residues as the mu- and psi-conotoxins, its disulfide connectivity is different. This gives mr3a a distinctive "triple-turn" backbone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The sorbitol phosphotransferase system is responsible for transport of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol into Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium.

2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate is the first committed intermediate in the biosynthesis of the isoprenoid precursors isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate. Supplementation of the growth medium with 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol has been shown to complement disruptions in the Escherichia coli gene for 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase, the enzyme that synthesizes the immediate precursor of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate. In order to be utilized in isoprenoid biosynthesis, 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol must be phosphorylated. We describe the construction of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain RMC26, in which the essential gene encoding 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase has been disrupted by insertion of a synthetic mevalonate operon consisting of the yeast ERG8, ERG12, and ERG19 genes, responsible for converting mevalonate to isopentenyl diphosphate under the control of an arabinose-inducible promoter. Random mutagenesis of RMC26 produced defects in the sorbitol phosphotransferase system that prevented the transport of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol into the cell. RMC26 and mutant strains of RMC26 unable to grow on 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol were incubated in buffer containing mevalonate and deuterium-labeled 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol. Ubiquinone-8 was isolated from these cells and analyzed for deuterium content. Efficient incorporation of deuterium was observed for RMC26. However, there was no evidence of deuterium incorporation into the isoprenoid side chain of ubiquinone Q8 in the RMC26 mutants.

Base Sequence↗

Type II isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase from Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803.

Open reading frame sll1556 in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain 6803 encodes a putative type II isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) isomerase. The His(6)-tagged protein was produced in Escherichia coli and purified by Ni(2+) chromatography. The homotetrameric enzyme required NADPH, flavin mononucleotide, and Mg(2+) for activity; K(m)(IPP) was 52 microM, and k(cat)(IPP) was 0.23 s(-1).

Carbon-Carbon Double Bond Isomerases↗

Identification of an Archaeal type II isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase in methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus.

Isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP):dimethylallyl diphosphate isomerase catalyzes the interconversion of the fundamental five-carbon homoallylic and allylic diphosphate building blocks required for biosynthesis of isoprenoid compounds. Two different isomerases have been reported. The type I enzyme, first characterized in the late 1950s, is widely distributed in eukaryota and eubacteria. The type II enzyme was recently discovered in Streptomyces sp. strain CL190. Open reading frame 48 (ORF48) in the archaeon Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus encodes a putative type II IPP isomerase. A plasmid-encoded copy of the ORF complemented IPP isomerase activity in vivo in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain RMC29, which contains chromosomal knockouts in the genes for type I IPP isomerase (idi) and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (dxs). The dxs gene was interrupted with a synthetic operon containing the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes erg8, erg12, and erg19 allowing for the conversion of mevalonic acid to IPP by the mevalonate pathway. His6-tagged M. thermautotrophicus type II IPP isomerase was produced in Escherichia coli and purified by Ni2+ chromatography. The purified protein was characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. The enzyme has optimal activity at 70 degrees C and pH 6.5. NADPH, flavin mononucleotide, and Mg2+ are required cofactors. The steady-state kinetic constants for the archaeal type II IPP isomerase from M. thermautotrophicus are as follows: K(m), 64 microM; specific activity, 0.476 micromol mg(-1) min(-1); and k(cat), 1.6 s(-1).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Zinc is an essential cofactor for type I isopentenyl diphosphate:dimethylallyl diphosphate isomerase.

Isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) isomerase catalyzes the interconversion of IPP and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). This is an essential reaction in the mevalonate pathway for biosynthesis of isoprenoid compounds. A crystal structure of Escherichia coli type I IPP isomerase shows a his3glu2 octahedral metal binding site (Durbecq, V. et al. EMBO, 2001, 20, 1530-1537). A metal ion analysis of recombinant E. coli type I IPP isomerase purified from metal-free buffer or buffer containing 10 muM ZnCl2 and 10 muM MnCl2 indicated that the protein contained one atom of Zn2+ per molecule. The metal content and the activity of the enzyme did not change when dialyzed for 6 h against metal-free buffer but rapidly decreased upon dialysis against buffer containing o-phenanthroline. Structural and catalytic roles for Zn2+ are discussed.

Binding Sites↗