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Twists and turns: a tale of two shikimate-pathway enzymes.

We are studying two enzymes from the shikimate pathway, dehydroquinate synthase (DHQS) and 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). Both enzymes have been the subject of numerous studies to elucidate their reaction mechanisms. Crystal structures of DHQS and EPSPS in the presence and absence of substrates, cofactors and/or inhibitors are now available. These structures reveal movements of domains, rearrangements of loops and changes in side-chain positions necessary for the formation of a catalytically competent active site. The potential for using complementary small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies to confirm the presence of these structural differences in solution has also been explored. Comparative analysis of crystal structures, in the presence and absence of ligands, has revealed structural features critical for substrate-binding and catalysis. We have also analysed these structures by generating GRID energy maps to detect favourable binding sites. The combination of X-ray crystallography, SAXS and computational techniques provides an enhanced analysis of structural features important for the function of these complex enzymes.

3-Phosphoshikimate 1-Carboxyvinyltransferase↗

Experiences with the shikimate-pathway enzymes as targets for rational drug design.

The background and current context of work on the shikimate-pathway enzymes as potential targets for anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic drugs is reviewed. Recent work on the third enzyme of the pathway, dehydroquinase, which occurs in two structurally and mechanistically distinct forms, is used to illustrate the present state of studies into rational drug design.

Bacteria↗

Partial enzyme aggregates formed by pleiotropic mutants in the arom gene cluster of Neurospora crassa.

Molecular weights of enzymically active arom aggregates produced by pleiotropic and various arom-1 mutants of Neurospora crassa have been estimated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. In contrast to most single-gene mutants (which produce intact arom multienzyme aggregates of normal molecular weight- about 230,000), pleiotropic mutants that lack two or more of the five enzyme activities in the arom aggregate produce partial arom aggregates of molecular weights ranging from about 60,000 to about 85,000. In addition, certain arom-1 mutants are pleiotropic in producing arom aggregates of about half the normal molecular weight. Experiments with heterocaryons, as well as with mixtures of extracts from various mutants, have provided evidence concerning the presence or absence of interactions (as detectable molecular hybridization) between different arom aggregates. An evaluation has been made of the relation between the genetic location of particular mutants within the arom gene cluster and the size and enzymic content of the arom aggregates they produce. Interpretations concerning the molecular organization of the arom multienzyme aggregate in N. crassa are presented.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Studies with flavin analogs provide evidence that a protonated reduced FMN is the substrate-induced transient intermediate in the reaction of Escherichia coli chorismate synthase.

Chorismate synthase catalyzes the 1,4-elimination of phosphate and the C-(6-pro-R) hydrogen from 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate (EPSP) to generate chorismate. Although this reaction does not involve an overall change in redox state, the enzyme requires reduced FMN. To investigate the role of the flavin in catalysis we have employed chemically modified flavins: 1- and 5-deaza-, 2- and 4-thio-, 6-hydroxy-, 8-nor-6-methyl-, 8-methyl-sulfonyl-, 8-chloro-, 8-fluoro-, 8-nor-methyl-, 8-S-methyl-, 8-methoxy, 8-mercapto- and 8-amino-FMN. Photoreduction of 4-thio-FMN in the presence of chorismate synthase at pH 7.5 produced a reduced flavin species with an absorbance maximum at lambda = 410 nm indicative of monoanionic, reduced 4-thio-FMN. Binding of 8-mercapto- and 6-hydroxy-FMN to chorismate synthase in the presence of EPSP or (6R)-6-fluoro-EPSP resulted in an increase of the flavin analogs' pKa values by 4 and 1 pH units, respectively. On the basis of these findings it is concluded that chorismate synthase preferentially binds neutral flavin species, including the protonated reduced form, rather than anionic flavin species in the presence of EPSP or the 6-fluoro-substrate analog. Further support for this conclusion was obtained using 5-deaza- and 4-thio-FMN. Addition of EPSP to enzyme-bound, reduced 5-deaza-FMN produced spectral changes consistent with protonation of the flavin. Photoreduction of 4-thio-FMN in the presence of enzyme and the (6R)-6-fluoro-EPSP generated a reduced flavin species with absorbance properties of a neutral, reduced 4-thio-flavin. These results and their implications for the nature and kinetic properties of an observed flavin intermediate are discussed in the context of a possible role of reduced flavin as an electron donor to bound EPSP.

Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Re-evaluating the role of His-143 in the mechanism of type I dehydroquinase from Escherichia coli using two-dimensional 1H,13C NMR.

Type I dehydroquinase from the shikimate pathway of Escherichia coli dehydrates dehydroquinate to dehydroshikimate. pH/log Vmax profiles of the enzyme indicate the presence of a single ionizing group with a pKa of 6.2. Chemical modification experiments with diethyl pyrocarbonate have identified the conserved residue His-143 as essential for catalysis in this enzyme and the pKa for this modification is also 6.2, implying that this is the single ionizing residue in dehydroquinase that may be acting as a general base in the catalytic mechanism. Subsequent mutagenesis of this residue (Leech, A. P., James, R., Coggins, J. R., and Kleanthous, C. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 25827-25836) further suggested that His-143 may be involved in Schiff base formation/breakdown as well as being the proton abstracting general base. The importance of this residue was confirmed by recent x-ray crystallographic data showing His-143 to be at the center of a hydrogen-bonded triad, flanked by the essential Schiff base forming residue Lys-170 and Glu-86. In the present study, we have used mutagenesis and 1H and 13C NMR to assign the resonance of His-143 and probe its ionization state to define more precisely its role in the mechanism of type I dehydroquinase. Following isotopic enrichment of wild-type and H143A dehydroquinase enzymes with [2-13C]histidine, the resonance for His-143 was assigned by comparing their 1H,13C heteronuclear single quantum correlation NMR spectra. pH titrations revealed that whether in the liganded or unliganded state, His-143 does not ionize over the pH range 6-9.5 and so cannot possess a pKa of 6.2. The NMR data are consistent with this residue remaining unprotonated at pH values optimal for the activity of this enzyme (pH > 7). The role of His-143 is re-evaluated in light of these and the recent structural data, and an alternative candidate for the pKa of 6.2 is discussed.

Carbon Isotopes↗

Studies with substrate and cofactor analogues provide evidence for a radical mechanism in the chorismate synthase reaction.

Chorismate synthase catalyzes the conversion of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate (EPSP) to chorismate. The strict requirement for a reduced FMN cofactor and a trans-1,4-elimination are unusual. (6R)-6-Fluoro-EPSP was shown to be converted to chorismate stoichiometrically with enzyme-active sites in the presence of dithionite. This conversion was associated with the oxidation of FMN to give a stable flavin semiquinone. The IC(50) of the fluorinated substrate analogue was 0.5 and 250 microm with the Escherichia coli enzyme, depending on whether it was preincubated with the enzyme or not. The lack of dissociation of the flavin semiquinone and chorismate from the enzyme appears to be the basis of the essentially irreversible inhibition by this analogue. A dithionite-dependent transient formation of flavin semiquinone during turnover of (6S)-6-fluoro-EPSP has been observed. These reactions are best rationalized by radical chemistry that is strongly supportive of a radical mechanism occurring during normal turnover. The lack of activity with 5-deaza-FMN provides additional evidence for the role of flavin in catalysis by the E. coli enzyme.

Benzoquinones↗

Yeast "operons".

To achieve coordinate gene regulation, yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) appears to have exploited two distinct multifunction "operon" schemas: one, by concatenating originally separate functional domains into single polypeptides, and two, by linking opposite strand genes through common promoter elements. For example, distinct functions found in bacterial operons are often concatenated in yeast. A selective advantage, similar to that for bringing multiple related functions into a single peptide, may also explain the large numbers of yeast opposite-strand, ORF pairs sharing a common regulatory region.

Escherichia coli↗

Redox regulation of Arabidopsis 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase.

The cDNA for 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase of Arabidopsis encodes a polypeptide with an amino-terminal signal sequence for plastid import. A cDNA fragment encoding the processed form of the enzyme was expressed in Escherichia coli. The resulting protein was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. The enzyme requires Mn(2+) and reduced thioredoxin (TRX) for activity. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) TRX f has an apparent dissociation constant for the enzyme of about 0.2 microM. The corresponding constant for TRX m is orders of magnitude higher. In the absence of TRX, dithiothreitol partially activates the enzyme. Upon alkylation of the enzyme with iodoacetamide, the dependence on a reducing agent is lost. These results indicate that the first enzyme in the shikimate pathway of Arabidopsis appears to be regulated by the ferredoxin/TRX redox control of the chloroplast.

3-Deoxy-7-Phosphoheptulonate Synthase↗

Engineering plant shikimate pathway for production of tocotrienol and improving herbicide resistance.

Tocochromanols (tocopherols and tocotrienols), collectively known as vitamin E, are essential antioxidant components of both human and animal diets. Because of their potential health benefits, there is a considerable interest in plants with increased or customized vitamin E content. Here, we have explored a new strategy to reach this goal. In plants, phenylalanine is the precursor of a myriad of secondary compounds termed phenylpropanoids. In contrast, much less carbon is incorporated into tyrosine that provides p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate and homogentisate, the aromatic precursors of vitamin E. Therefore, we intended to increase the flux of these two compounds by deriving their synthesis directly at the level of prephenate. This was achieved by the expression of the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) prephenate dehydrogenase gene in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants that already overexpress the Arabidopsis p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase coding sequence. A massive accumulation of tocotrienols was observed in leaves. These molecules, which were undetectable in wild-type leaves, became the major forms of vitamin E in the leaves of the transgenic lines. An increased resistance of the transgenic plants toward the herbicidal p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor diketonitril was also observed. This work demonstrates that the synthesis of p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate is a limiting step for the accumulation of vitamin E in plants.

4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase↗

Effects of the magnesium and chloride ions and shikimate on the structure of shikimate kinase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Bacteria, fungi and plants can convert carbohydrate and phosphoenolpyruvate into chorismate, which is the precursor of various aromatic compounds. The seven enzymes of the shikimate pathway are responsible for this conversion. Shikimate kinase (SK) is the fifth enzyme in this pathway and converts shikimate to shikimate-3-phosphate. In this work, the conformational changes that occur on binding of shikimate, magnesium and chloride ions to SK from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtSK) are described. It was observed that both ions and shikimate influence the conformation of residues of the active site of MtSK. Magnesium influences the conformation of the shikimate hydroxyl groups and the position of the side chains of some of the residues of the active site. Chloride seems to influence the affinity of ADP and its position in the active site and the opening length of the LID domain. Shikimate binding causes a closing of the LID domain and also seems to influence the crystallographic packing of SK. The results shown here could be useful for understanding the catalytic mechanism of SK and the role of ions in the activity of this protein.

Binding Sites↗

Use of logic relationships to decipher protein network organization.

A major focus of genome research is to decipher the networks of molecular interactions that underlie cellular function. We describe a computational approach for identifying detailed relationships between proteins on the basis of genomic data. Logic analysis of phylogenetic profiles identifies triplets of proteins whose presence or absence obey certain logic relationships. For example, protein C may be present in a genome only if proteins A and B are both present. The method reveals many previously unidentified higher order relationships. These relationships illustrate the complexities that arise in cellular networks because of branching and alternate pathways, and they also facilitate assignment of cellular functions to uncharacterized proteins.

Bacterial Physiological Phenomena↗