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J LeGall

Publications and source records attributed to J LeGall.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Interconversion from 3Fe into 4Fe clusters in the presence of Desulfovibrio gigas cell extracts.

Desulfovibrio gigas ferredoxin II (FdII) contains a single 3Fe cluster [Huynh, B.H., Moura, J.J.G., Moura, I., Kent, T.A., LeGall, J., Xavier, A.V., and Münck, E. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 3242-3244]. In the oxidized state the protein exhibits an intense electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal at g = 2.02. Upon one-electron reduction the center becomes EPR silent. In the presence of D. gigas crude cell extracts, devoid of acidic electron carriers and supplemented with pyruvate and FdII, an EPR signal typical of reduced [4Fe-4S] centers is obtained. The appearance of this signal correlates with the beginning of stimulation of the phosphoroclastic reaction as judged by the production of H2. These results, supported by the occurrence of easy chemical conversion of the 3Fe cluster of D. gigas ferredoxin into 4Fe structures [Moura, J.J.G., Moura, I., Kent, T.A., Lipscomb, J.D., Huynh, B.H., LeGall, J., Xavier, A.V., and Münch, E. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 6259-6267], suggest that cluster conversion takes place in conditions close to the situation in vivo. This cluster interconversion is discussed in the context of some of the relevant metabolic pathways of Desulfovibrio spp.

Biotransformation↗

Molybdenum EXAFS of the Desulfovibrio gigas Mo(2Fe-2S) protein--structural similarity to "desulfo" xanthine dehydrogenase.

The molybdenum EXAFS of the Mo(2Fe-2S) protein from Desulfovibrio gigas has been examined using fluorescence detection and synchrotron radiation. In the oxidized form the molybdenum environment is found to contain two terminal oxo groups and two long (2.47 A) Mo-S bonds. Evidence was also found for an oxygen or nitrogen donor ligand at 1.90 A. Addition of dithionite to the oxidized enzyme results in loss of a terminal oxo group, perhaps due to protonation. In addition, a 0.1 A contraction in the Mo-S bond lengths is observed. The behavior of both oxidized and dithionite-treated forms is similar to that observed previously with "desulfo" xanthine oxidase.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Desulfovibrio vulgaris hydrogenase: a nonheme iron enzyme lacking nickel that exhibits anomalous EPR and Mössbauer spectra.

A purification procedure for the periplasmic hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris ( Hildenborough , National Collection of Industrial Bacteria 8303) is reported. The purified hydrogenase has a specific activity of 4800 units per mg of protein. Plasma emission studies reveal that this highly active hydrogenase is free of nickel and contains 11 (+/- 1) nonheme iron atoms per molecule. A combined EPR and Mössbauer study indicates that the majority of the iron atoms are bound in the form of iron- sulfur clusters. Two ferredoxin-type [4Fe-4S] clusters have been identified that exhibit normal EPR and Mössbauer parameters; however, no trace of 3Fe cluster is detected by the Mössbauer measurement. In the presence of oxidants, cytochrome c3, and CO, anomalous EPR and Mössbauer spectra indicative of atypical nonheme iron centers are observed.

Carbon Monoxide↗

Crystallographic study of rubredoxin from the bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain 27774.

Rubredoxin from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (strain 27774) has been isolated and crystallized. Preliminary amino acid and crystallographic analyses indicate that this rubredoxin is the smallest rubredoxin isolated so far. The amino acid analysis indicates that the molecule is composed of 45 to 48 residues and contains histidine, which is unusual for rubredoxins from anaerobic bacteria. The X-ray diffraction pattern from these crystals reveals they belong to space group P1 with cell parameters: a = 24.92 A, b = 17.79 A, c = 19.72 A, alpha = 101.0 degrees, beta = 83.4 degrees, gamma = 104.5 degrees. The unit cell volume of 8283 A3 indicates a molecule with molecular weight no greater than 5500 and is consistent with the smaller number of amino acids found in this rubredoxin. The solvent content of this rubredoxin crystal appears to be the lowest observed in crystalline proteins.

Amino Acids↗

Energy coupling to nitrite respiration in the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio gigas.

By use of a membrane fraction prepared from Desulfovibrio gigas grown in a lactate-sulfate medium, synthesis of ATP was demonstrated to be coupled to the oxidation of molecular hydrogen and reduction of either nitrite or hydroxylamine. This phosphorylation was uncoupled from electron transport by pentachlorophenol, methyl viologen, and gramicidin, but not by oligomycin. The extrusion of protons from the cells was shown to be coupled to the hydrogen-nitrite respiratory system, and, assuming the localization of nitrite reductase on the outer side of the plasma membrane, H+/2e- values of 2.0 +/- 0.3 were obtained. Energy coupling observed with this system appears to be due to electron transfer-coupled proton translocation rather than vectorial electron transfer associated with hydrogen oxidation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Comparison of cytochromes from anaerobically and aerobically grown cells of Pseudomonas perfectomarinus.

Pseudomonas perfectomarinus (ATCC 14405) is a facultative anaerobe capable of either oxygen respiration or anaerobic nitrate respiration, i.e., denitrification. A comparative study of the electron transfer components of cells revealed five c-type cytochromes and cytochrome cd in the soluble fraction from anaerobically grown cells and four c-type cytochromes in the soluble fraction from aerobically grown cells. Purification procedures yielded three c-type cytochromes (designated c-551, c-554, and acidic c-type) from both kinds of cells as indicated by similarities in absorption spectra, molecular weight, and electrophoretic mobility. Cytochrome cd, a diheme c-type cytochrome (cytochrome c-552), and a split-alpha c-type cytochrome were recovered only from anaerobically grown cells. A c-type cytochrome with a low ratio of alpha to beta absorption peak heights was uniquely present in the aerobically grown cells. Liquid N2 temperature absorption spectroscopy on the membrane fraction from anaerobically grown cells revealed residual cytochrome cd as well as differences in the relative amounts of c-type and b-type cytochromes in membranes prepared from cells grown under the two different conditions.

Aerobiosis↗

Evidence for nickel and a three-iron center in the hydrogenase of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans.

Hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (ATCC No. 27774) grown in unenriched and in enriched 61Ni and 57Fe media has been purified to apparent homogeneity. Two fractions of enzymes with hydrogenase activity were separated and were termed hydrogenase I and hydrogenase II. they were shown to have similar molecular weights (77,600 for hydrogenase I and 75,500 for hydrogenase II), to be composed of two polypeptide chains, and to contain Ni and non-heme iron. Because of its higher specific activity (152 versus 97) hydrogenase II was selected for EPR and Mössbauer studies. As isolated, hydrogenase II exhibits an "isotropic" EPR signal at g = 2.02 and a rhombic EPR signal at g = 2.3, 2.2, and 2.0. Isotopic substitution of 61Ni proves that the rhombic signal is due to Ni. Combining the Mössbauer and EPR data, the isotropic g = 2.02 EPR signal was shown to originate from a 3Fe cluster which may have oxygenous or nitrogenous ligands. In addition, the Mössbauer data also revealed two [4Fe-4S]2+ clusters iun each molecule of hydrogenase II. The EPR and Mössbauer data of hydrogenase I were found to be identical to those of hydrogenase II, indicating that both enzymes have common metallic centers.

Desulfovibrio↗

Amino acid sequence of a 3Fe:3S ferredoxin from the "archaebacterium" Methanosarcina barkeri (DSM 800).

The complete amino acid sequence for a 3Fe:3S ferredoxin from the "archaebacterium" Methanosarcina barkeri (DSM 800) was determined by repetitive Edman degradation on the whole protein and peptides derived from trypsin, thermolysin, and Staphylococcus aureus protease digestion. The protein has 59 residues of which 8 are cysteines. The latter have the same spacing and distribution as found for the clostridial-type 2 x 4Fe:4S ferredoxins. Also, the sequence had evidence of internal homology which is indicative of gene duplication prior to the divergence of the archaebacteria and the eubacteria. This is the first sequence to be reported for a methanogen ferredoxin and only the fourth for a 3Fe:3S ferredoxin from any source.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biochemistry of dissimilatory sulphate reduction.

Extensive information is available on the enzymology of respiratory sulphate reduction and the structure of electron transfer proteins isolated from the sulphate-reducing bacteria; however, it has not yet been possible to delineate satisfactorily the function of these electron transfer proteins in terms of the enzymes involved in respiratory sulphate reduction. New information about differences in pyrophosphate metabolism by Desulfovibrio and Desulfotomaculum, cellular localizations of electron transfer proteins and enzymes, and the concepts of vectorial electron transfer plus hydrogen cycling suggest that previous data on the function of electron transfer proteins must be re-evaluated and new experimental approaches designed before the problem is resolved. New information on the enzymology of lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, adenylyl sulphate reductase, bisulphite reductase and hydrogenase is presented and discussed in the context of enzyme localization and specifically for electron transfer proteins. The function of cytochrome c3 (Mr = 13000) in the mechanism of the periplasmic hydrogenase and the role of the new [3Fe-3S] non-haem iron centres in electron transfer is emphasized.

Cell Membrane↗

Role of vitamin B12 in methyl transfer for methane biosynthesis by Methanosarcina barkeri.

When Methanosarcina barkeri is grown on methanol as the sole carbon source, a B12-containing protein is synthesized by this organism. This B12 protein contains bound aquocobalamin, and when this cofactor is reduced and methylated with [14C]methyl iodide, the resultant [14C]methyl B12 protein is extremely active in the biosynthesis of 14C-labeled methane. These findings indicate that a B12-dependent system is operative in the biological formation of methane in addition to other systems that are B12-independent.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Ferredoxin from Methanosarcina barkeri: evidence for the presence of a three-iron center.

Methanosarcina barkeri ferredoxin was purified and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The purification procedure included chromatographic steps on DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration. The isolated protein is unstable under aerobic conditions. The ferredoxin exhibits charge transfer bands at 283 nm and 405 nm with an absorption ratio A405/A283 = 0.73. Its molecular weight has been estimated to be 20000-22000 by gel filtration chromatography. The native ferredoxin exhibits an intense EPR signal at g = 2.02 and only a very weak g = 1.94 signal develops upon reduction with dithionite. The Mössbauer spectra of the reduced protein are characteristic of a [3Fe-3S] center. The combined EPR and Mössbauer studies show that M. barkeri ferredoxin contains only [3Fe-3S] clusters, similar to Azotobacter vinelandii Fd[Emptage, M.H., Kent, T.A., Huynh, B.H., Rawlings, J., Orme-Johnson, W.H. & Münck, M. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 1793-1796], Desulfovibrio gigas FdII [Huynh, B.H., Moura, J.J.G., Moura, I., Kent, T.A., LeGall, J., Xavier, A.V. & Münck, E. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 3242-3244] and mitochondrial beef heart aconitase [Kent, T.A., Dreyer, J.-L., Kennedy, M.C., Huynh, B.H., Emptage, M.H., Beinert, H. & Münck, E. (1982) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 79, 1096-1100].

Chemical Phenomena↗

NMR redox studies of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Cytochrome c3. Electron transfer mechanisms.

The 300-MHz proton NMR spectra of the tetrahaem cytochrome c3 from Desulfovibrio vulgaris were examined while varying the pH and the redox potential. The analysis of the complete NMR reoxidation pattern was done taking into account all the 16 redox states that can be present in the redox titration of a tetra-redox-center molecule. A network of saturation transfer experiments performed at different oxidation stages, between the fully reduced and the fully oxidized states, allowed the observation of different resonances for some of the haem methyl groups. In the present experimental conditions, some of the haems show a fast intramolecular electron exchange rate, but the intermolecular electron exchange is always slow. In intermediate reoxidation stages, large shifts of the resonances of some haem methyl groups were observed upon changing the pH. These shifts are discussed in terms of a pH dependence of the haem midpoint redox potentials. The physiological relevance of this pH dependence is discussed.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Resonance Raman spectra of three-iron centers in ferredoxins from Desulfovibrio gigas.

The resonance Raman spectra of ferredoxins (Fd) I and II from Desulfovibrio gigas are reported using 4579 A Ar+ laser excitation. The (3Fe-3S) center in Fd II has a characteristic resonance Raman spectrum, readily distinguishable from those of (2Fe-2S) or (4Fe-4S) clusters. Reduction of Fd II produces a marked alteration in the resonance Raman spectrum. Fd I is shown to contain both (3Fe-3S) and (4Fe-4S) Fd-type clusters. The results illustrate the potential of resonance Raman spectroscopy in Fe-S cluster identification, even in cases where more than one cluster type is present.

Binding Sites↗