Properties of bacterial and archaeal branched-chain amino acid aminotransferases

Branched-chain amino acid aminotransferases (BCATs) catalyze reversible stereoselective transamination of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine. BCATs are the key enzymes of BCAA metab- olism in all organisms. The catalysis proceeds through the ping-pong mechanism with the assistance of the cofactor pyri- doxal 5′-phosphate (PLP). BCATs differ from other (S)-selective transaminases (TAs) in 3D-structure and organization of the PLP-binding domain. Unlike other (S)-selective TAs, BCATs belong to the PLP fold type IV and are characterized by the proton transfer on the re-face of PLP, in contrast to the si-specificity of proton transfer in fold type I (S)-selective TAs. Moreover, BCATs are the only (S)-selective enzymes within fold type IV TAs. Dual substrate recognition in BCATs is imple- mented via the “lock and key” mechanism without side-chain rearrangements of the active site residues. Another feature of the active site organization in BCATs is the binding of the substrate α-COOH group on the P-side of the active site near the PLP phosphate group. Close localization of two charged groups seems to increase the effectiveness of external aldimine for- mation in BCAT catalysis. In this review, the structure-function features and the substrate specificity of bacterial and archaeal BCATs are analyzed. These BCATs differ from eukaryotic ones in the wide substrate specificity, optimal tempera- ture, and reactivity toward pyruvate as the second substrate. The prospects of biotechnological application of BCATs in stereoselective synthesis are discussed.     

A novel transaminase, (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-amine:pyruvate aminotransferase,from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrobacter</Emphasis> sp. KNK168 (FERM BP-5228): purification,characterization, and gene cloning

A novel (R)-amine transaminase, which catalyzed (R)-enantioselective transamination of chiral amine, was purified to homogeneity from Arthrobacter sp. KNK168 (FERM BP-5228). The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 148 kDa by gel filtration and 37 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, suggesting a homotetrameric structure. The enzyme catalyzed transamination between amines and pyruvate stereo-specifically. The reaction on 1-methylbenzylamine was (R)-enantioselective. Pyruvate was the best amino acceptor, but the enzyme showed broad amino acceptor specificity for various ketone and aldehyde compounds. The apparent K _ms for (R)-1-methylbenzylamine and pyruvate were 2.62 and 2.29 mM, respectively. The cloned gene of the enzyme consists of an open reading frame (ORF) of 993 bp encoding a protein of 330 amino acids, with a calculated molecular weight of 36,288. The deduced amino acid sequence was found to be homologous to those of the aminotransferases belonging to fold class IV of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate-dependent enzymes, such as branched-chain amino acid aminotransferases.     

First structure of archaeal branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermoproteus uzoniensis</Emphasis> specific for <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-amino acids and <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>-amines

The gene TUZN1299 from the genome of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermoproteus uzoniensis encoding a new 32.8 kDa branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase (BCAT) was expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein TUZN1299 was purified to homogeneity in the PLP-bound form. TUZN1299 was active towards branched-chain amino acids (l-Val, l-Leu, l-Ile) and showed low but detectable activity toward (R)-alpha-methylbenzylamine. The enzyme exhibits high-temperature optimum, thermal stability, and tolerance to organic solvents. The structure of an archaeal BCAT called TUZN1299 was solved for the first time (at 2.0 Å resolution). TUZN1299 has a typical BCAT type IV fold, and the organization of its active site is similar to that of bacterial BCATs. However, there are some differences in the amino acid composition of the active site.     

Uncovering the role of branched-chain amino acid transaminases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae isobutanol biosynthesis

Isobutanol and other branched-chain higher alcohols (BCHAs) are promising advanced biofuels derived from the degradation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a particularly attractive host for the production of BCHAs due to its high tolerance to alcohols and prevalent use in the bioethanol industry. Degradation of BCAAs begins with transamination reactions, catalyzed by branched-chain amino acid transaminases (BCATs) located in the mitochondria (Bat1p) and cytosol (Bat2p). However, the roles that these transaminases play in isobutanol production remain poorly understood and obscured by conflicting reports in the literature. In this work, we elucidate the influence of BCATs on isobutanol production in two genetic backgrounds (CEN.PK2-1C and BY4741). In the process, we uncover and characterize two competing isobutanol pathways, which can be manipulated by overexpressing or deleting BAT1 or BAT2, and adding or removing valine from the fermentation media. We show that deletion of BAT1 alone increases isobutanol production by 14.2-fold over wild type strains in media lacking valine, and examine how interactions between valine and the regulatory protein Ilv6p affect isobutanol production. Compartmentalizing the five-gene isobutanol biosynthetic pathway in mitochondria of BAT1 deletion strains results in an additional 2.1-fold increase in isobutanol production in the absence of valine. While valine inhibits isobutanol production, it boosts 2-methyl-1-butanol production. This work clarifies the role of transamination activity in BCHA biosynthesis, and develops valuable strategies and strains for future optimization of isobutanol production.     

Crystal Structure of an (R)-Selective ω-Transaminase from Aspergillus terreus

Chiral amines are important building blocks for the synthesis of pharmaceutical products, fine chemicals, and agrochemicals. ω-Transaminases are able to directly synthesize enantiopure chiral amines by catalysing the transfer of an amino group from a primary amino donor to a carbonyl acceptor with pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) as cofactor. In nature, (S)-selective amine transaminases are more abundant than the (R)-selective enzymes, and therefore more information concerning their structures is available. Here, we present the crystal structure of an (R)-ω-transaminase from Aspergillus terreus determined by X-ray crystallography at a resolution of 1.6 Å. The structure of the protein is a homodimer that displays the typical class IV fold of PLP-dependent aminotransferases. The PLP-cofactor observed in the structure is present in two states (i) covalently bound to the active site lysine (the internal aldimine form) and (ii) as substrate/product adduct (the external aldimine form) and free lysine. Docking studies revealed that (R)-transaminases follow a dual binding mode, in which the large binding pocket can harbour the bulky substituent of the amine or ketone substrate and the α-carboxylate of pyruvate or amino acids, and the small binding pocket accommodates the smaller substituent.     

Crystal structures of aminotransferases Aro8 and Aro9 from Candida albicans and structural insights into their properties

Aminotransferases catalyze reversibly the transamination reaction by a ping-pong bi-bi mechanism with pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) as a cofactor. Various aminotransferases acting on a range of substrates have been reported. Aromatic transaminases are able to catalyze the transamination reaction with both aromatic and acidic substrates. Two aminotransferases from C. albicans, Aro8p and Aro9p, have been identified recently, exhibiting different catalytic properties. To elucidate the multiple substrate recognition of the two enzymes we determined the crystal structures of an unliganded CaAro8p, a complex of CaAro8p with the PLP cofactor bound to a substrate, forming an external aldimine, CaAro9p with PLP in the form of internal aldimine, and CaAro9p with a mixture of ligands that have been interpreted as results of the enzymatic reaction. The crystal structures of both enzymes contains in the asymmetric unit a biologically relevant dimer of 55?kDa for CaAro8 and 59?kDa for CaAro9p protein subunits. The ability of the enzymes to process multiple substrates could be related to a feature of their architecture in which the active site resides on one subunit while the substrate-binding site is formed by a long loop extending from the other subunit of the dimeric molecule. The separation of the two functions to different chemical entities could facilitate the evolution of the substrate-binding part and allow it to be flexible without destabilizing the conservative catalytic mechanism.     

Synthesis of pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate using an MBA:pyruvate transaminase as biocatalyst

Transaminases (TAs) have useful applications as biocatalysts because of their capability of introducing amino groups into ketones and keto acids with high enantioselectivity, regioselectivity and broad substrate specificity. In this study we have shown that purified His-tagged omega-TA CV2025 from Chromobacterium violaceum is capable of complete conversion of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) to pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate (PMP) in the presence of (S)-α-methylbenzylamine (MBA) as the amine donor. Conversions of 5 mM PLP with at least 0.8 mg/ml CV2025 TA (5.8 U/ml) were complete within 24 h. The fastest completion was achieved with an enzyme concentration of 3 mg/ml (22 U/ml): Within 4 h 5 mM PLP/MBA were converted to 100% and 10 mM PLP/MBA to 70%. PLP amination was only partially inhibited in the presence of 0.5 mM gabaculine, whereas the MBA:pyruvate transamination was shown to be inhibited completely. PMP formation of comparable efficiency could not be achieved with equivalent units of porcine α-TA. This represents the first example of a PLP-converting TA with an attributed gene and the first demonstration of quantitative biocatalytic PMP synthesis.     

Crystal structures of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase in complex with aminoethoxyvinylglycine and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate provide new insight into catalytic mechanisms.

The structures of tomato 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS) in complex with either cofactor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) or both PLP and inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine have been determined by x-ray crystallography. The structures showed good conservation of the catalytic residues, suggesting a similar catalytic mechanism for ACS and other PLP-dependent enzymes. However, the proximity of Tyr152 to the C-gamma-S bond of model substrate S-adenosylmethionine implies its critical role in the catalysis. The concerted accomplishment of catalysis by cofactor PLP and a protein residue, as proposed on the basis of the ACS structures in this paper, may represent a general scheme for the diversity of PLP-dependent catalyses. PLP-dependent enzymes have been categorized into four types of folds. A structural comparison revealed that a core fragment of ACS in fold type I is superimposable over tryptophan synthase beta subunit in fold type II and mouse ornithine decarboxylase in fold type III, thus suggesting a divergent evolution of PLP-dependent enzymes.     

Crystal Structures of Complexes of the Branched-Chain Aminotransferase from Deinococcus radiodurans with α-Ketoisocaproate and l-Glutamate Suggest the Radiation Resistance of This Enzyme for Catalysis

Branched-chain aminotransferases (BCAT), which utilize pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) as a cofactor, reversibly catalyze the transfer of the α-amino groups of three of the most hydrophobic branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), leucine, isoleucine, and valine, to α-ketoglutarate to form the respective branched-chain α-keto acids and glutamate. The BCAT from Deinococcus radiodurans (DrBCAT), an extremophile, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli for structure and functional studies. The crystal structures of the native DrBCAT with PLP and its complexes with l-glutamate and α-ketoisocaproate (KIC), respectively, have been determined. The DrBCAT monomer, comprising 358 amino acids, contains large and small domains connected with an interdomain loop. The cofactor PLP is located at the bottom of the active site pocket between two domains and near the dimer interface. The substrate (l-glutamate or KIC) is bound with key residues through interactions of the hydrogen bond and the salt bridge near PLP inside the active site pocket. Mutations of some interaction residues, such as Tyr71, Arg145, and Lys202, result in loss of the specific activity of the enzymes. In the interdomain loop, a dynamic loop (Gly173 to Gly179) clearly exhibits open and close conformations in structures of DrBCAT without and with substrates, respectively. DrBCAT shows the highest specific activity both in nature and under ionizing radiation, but with lower thermal stability above 60°C, than either BCAT from Escherichia coli (eBCAT) or from Thermus thermophilus (HB8BCAT). The dimeric molecular packing and the distribution of cysteine residues at the active site and the molecular surface might explain the resistance to radiation but small thermal stability of DrBCAT.     

Regulation of valine catabolism in Pseudomonas putida

The activities of six enzymes which take part in the oxidation of valine by Pseudomonas putida were measured under various conditions of growth. The formation of four of the six enzymes was induced by growth on d- or l-valine: d-amino acid dehydrogenase, branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase, 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase, and methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase. Branched-chain amino acid transaminase and isobutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase were synthesized constitutively. d-Amino acid dehydrogenase and branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase were induced during growth on valine, leucine, and isoleucine, and these enzymes were assumed to be common to the metabolism of all three branched-chain amino acids. The segment of the pathway required for oxidation of isobutyrate was induced by growth on isobutyrate or 3-hydroxyisobutyrate without formation of the preceding enzymes. d-Amino acid dehydrogenase was induced by growth on l-alanine without formation of other enzymes required for the catabolism of valine. d-Valine was a more effective inducer of d-amino acid dehydrogenase than was l-valine. Therefore, the valine catabolic pathway was induced in three separate segments: (i) d-amino acid dehydrogenase, (ii) branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase, and (iii) 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase plus methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase. In a study of the kinetics of formation of the inducible enzymes, it was found that 3-hydroxyisobutyrate and methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenases were coordinately induced. Induction of enzymes of the valine catabolic pathway was studied in a mutant that had lost the ability to grow on all three branched-chain amino acids. Strain PpM2106 had lowered levels of branched-chain amino acid transaminase and completely lacked branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase when grown in medium which contained valine. Addition of 2-ketoisovalerate, 2-ketoisocaproate, or 2-keto-3-methylvalerate to the growth medium of strain PpM2106 resulted in induction of normal levels of branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase; therefore, the branched-chain keto acids were the actual inducers of branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase.     

Common Enzymes of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Catabolism in Pseudomonas putida

Two types of Pseudomonas putida PpG2 mutants which were unable to degrade branched-chain amino acids were isolated after mutagenesis and selection for ability to grow on succinate, but not valine, as a sole source of carbon. These isolates were characterized by growth on the three branched-chain amino acids (valine, isoleucine, and leucine), on the corresponding branched-chain keto acids (2-ketoisovalerate, 2-keto-3-methylvalerate, and 2-ketoisocaproate), and on other selected intermediates as carbon sources, and by their enzymatic composition. One group of mutants lost 2-ketoisovalerate-inducible branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase that was active on all three keto acids. There was also a concomitant loss of ability to grow on all three branched-chain amino acids as well as on all three corresponding keto acids, but there was retention of ability to use subsequent intermediates in the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids. Another type of mutant showed a marked reduction in branched-chain amino acid transaminase activity and grew poorly at the expense of all three amino acids, but it utilized subsequent intermediates as carbon sources. Both the transaminase and branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase mutants retained the ability to degrade camphor. These findings are consistent with the view that branched-chain amino acid transaminase and branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase are common enzymes in the catabolism of valine, isoleucine, and leucine.     

Chlorsulfuron modifies biosynthesis of acyl Acid substituents of sucrose esters secreted by tobacco trichomes

Sucrose esters and duvatrienediol diterpenes are principal constituents formed in and secreted outside head cells of trichomes occurring on surfaces of Nicotiana tabacum. Using trichome-bearing epidermal peels prepared from midveins of N. tabacum cv T.I. 1068 leaves, we found that chlorsulfuron reduced and modified radiolabeling of sucrose ester acyl acids derived from branched-chain amino acid metabolism. The herbicide did not effect formation and exudation of diterpenes which are products of isoprenoid metabolism. Treatment with 1.0 micromolar chlorsulfuron affected 8.5- and 6.3-fold reductions in radiolabeling of methylvaleryl and methylbutyryl groups of sucrose esters, respectively, and concomitant increases of 9- and 9.8-fold in radiolabeling of straight chain valeryl and butyryl groups, respectively. These results and others indicate that inhibition of acetolactate synthase causes an accumulation of 2-oxo-butyric acid that is utilized by enzymes common to Leu biosynthesis to form 2-oxo-valeric acid. Coenzyme A (CoA) activation of this keto acid gives rise to butyryl CoA, which is utilized to form butyryl containing sucrose esters. Alternatively, reutilization of 2-oxo-valeric acid by the same enzymes followed by CoA activation leads to valeryl containing sucrose esters. We propose that in trichome secretory cells synthase, isomerase and dehydrogenase enzymes which catalyze Leu synthesis/degredation in most tissues, convert iso-branched, anteiso-branched and straight-chain keto acids in the formation of sucrose ester acyl groups.     

Absolute configuration of the isomer of fluorocitrate that inhibits aconitase

The absolute configuration of the isomer of fluorocitrate that is a strong inhibitor and activator of aconitase has been determined to be 2R, 3R, as shown in the Fischer and perspective diagrams below.

Fischer diagram Perspective diagramThis is the isomer described by Dummel and Kun (1969, J. Biol. Chem.244, 2966) and defined as (?)-erythro-fluorocitrate by them. We report here structural studies of the mirror image (enantiomer) of this isomer. Crystals of the complex of the diethyl ester of (+)-erythro-fluorocitrate with (?)-methylbenzylamine were studied by X-ray diffraction techniques. Since the absolute configuration of (?)-methylbenzylamine has already been determined experimentally, the absolute configuration of the (+)-erythro isomer of fluorocitrate is thereby established. This isomer is shown to be noninhibitory with the enzyme aconitase, while its racemate is a powerful inhibitor. Thus it is proved that the absolute configuration of the isomer of fluorocitrate that is formed from fluoroacetyl-CoA by the enzyme citrate synthase, and that inhibits aconitase, is the 2R, 3R, isomer.     

Crystal Structures of Lysine-Preferred Racemases,the Non-Antibiotic Selectable Markers for Transgenic Plants

Lysine racemase, a pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent amino acid racemase that catalyzes the interconversion of lysine enantiomers, is valuable to serve as a novel non-antibiotic selectable marker in the generation of transgenic plants. Here, we have determined the first crystal structure of a lysine racemase (Lyr) from Proteus mirabilis BCRC10725, which shows the highest activity toward lysine and weaker activity towards arginine. In addition, we establish the first broad-specificity amino acid racemase (Bar) structure from Pseudomonas putida DSM84, which presents not only the highest activity toward lysine but also remarkably broad substrate specificity. A complex structure of Bar-lysine is also established here. These structures demonstrate the similar fold of alanine racemase, which is a head-to-tail homodimer with each protomer containing an N-terminal (α/β)₈ barrel and a C-terminal β-stranded domain. The active-site residues are located at the protomer interface that is a funnel-like cavity with two catalytic bases, one from each protomer, and the PLP binding site is at the bottom of this cavity. Structural comparisons, site-directed mutagenesis, kinetic, and modeling studies identify a conserved arginine and an adjacent conserved asparagine that fix the orientation of the PLP O3 atom in both structures and assist in the enzyme activity. Furthermore, side chains of two residues in α-helix 10 have been discovered to point toward the cavity and define the substrate specificity. Our results provide a structural foundation for the design of racemases with pre-determined substrate specificity and for the development of the non-antibiotic selection system in transgenic plants.     

Mechanistic aspects of the transamination reactions catalyzed by D-amino acid transaminase from Haliscomenobacter hydrossis

Pyridoxal-5′-phosphate-(PLP-) dependent D-amino acid transaminases (DAATs) catalyze stereoselective reversible transfer of the amino group between D-amino acids and keto acids. In vivo DAATs are commonly known to synthesize D-glutamate for cell wall peptidoglycans. Today DAATs meet increasing attention for application in the synthesis of D-amino acids, whereas little is known about the mechanism of substrate recognition and catalytic steps of the D-amino acids conversion by DAATs. In this work, the pre-steady-state kinetics of the half-reactions of DAAT from Haliscomenobacter hydrossis with D-glutamate, D-alanine, D-leucine, and D-phenylalanine was examined at two wavelengths, 416 and 330 nm, using a stopped-flow technique. Monophasic kinetics was observed with specific substrates D-glutamate and D-alanine, whereas half-reactions with D-leucine and D-phenylalanine exhibited biphasic kinetics. All half-reactions proceeded until the complete conversion of PLP due to the release of the pyridoxamine-5′-phosphate form of cofactor from the holoenzyme . Comparison of kinetic parameters of half-reactions and the overall transamination reactions for D-leucine, D-phenylalanine revealed the increase in the rates of deamination of these substrates in the overall reaction with α-ketoglutarate. In the overall transamination reaction, the catalytic turnover rates for D-leucine and D-phenylalanine increased by 260 and 60 times, correspondingly, comparing with the slowest step rate constants in the half-reactions. We suggested the activating effect by a specific substrate α-ketoglutarate in the overall transamination reaction. The study of half-reactions helped to quantify the specificity of DAAT from H. hydrossis for D-amino acids with different properties. The results obtained are the first detailed analysis of half-reactions catalyzed by DAAT.     

Novel nucleosides as potent influenza viral inhibitors

Influenza virus infection constitutes a significant health problem in need of more effective therapies. We have recently identified ((2R,3S,4R,5R)-3-acetoxy-5-(4-benzamido-2-oxopyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)-4-fluoro-3,4-dimethyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl) methyl benzoate (18c) as a potent influenza virus inhibitor. We now here report the synthesis and evaluation of a series of C-3′ modified ribose nucleosides. These novel compounds were prepared, primarily by taking known ((2R,3R,4R)-3-benzoyloxy-4-fluoro-4-methyl-5-oxo-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl benzoate (1) and converting it in to C-3 keto sugar (7), reacting C-3 keto group with methyl magnesium bromide, followed by coupling these sugars with purine and pyrimidine bases. Anti influenza viral activity was determined by screening against both A and B viral strains.     

Three Different Classes of Aminotransferases Evolved Prephenate Aminotransferase Functionality in Arogenate-competent Microorganisms

The aromatic amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine represent essential sources of high value natural aromatic compounds for human health and industry. Depending on the organism, alternative routes exist for their synthesis. Phenylalanine and tyrosine are synthesized either via phenylpyruvate/4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate or via arogenate. In arogenate-competent microorganisms, an aminotransferase is required for the transamination of prephenate into arogenate, but the identity of the genes is still unknown. We present here the first identification of prephenate aminotransferases (PATs) in seven arogenate-competent microorganisms and the discovery that PAT activity is provided by three different classes of aminotransferase, which belong to two different fold types of pyridoxal phosphate enzymes: an aspartate aminotransferase subgroup 1β in tested α- and β-proteobacteria, a branched-chain aminotransferase in tested cyanobacteria, and an N-succinyldiaminopimelate aminotransferase in tested actinobacteria and in the β-proteobacterium Nitrosomonas europaea. Recombinant PAT enzymes exhibit high activity toward prephenate, indicating that the corresponding genes encode bona fide PAT. PAT functionality was acquired without other modification of substrate specificity and is not a general catalytic property of the three classes of aminotransferases.