The presence of multiple c-type cytochromes at the surface of the methanotrophic bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) is regulated by copper

Identification of surface proteins is essential to understand bacterial communication with its environment. Analysis of the surface-associated proteins of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) revealed a highly dynamic structure responding closely to the availability of copper in the medium in the range from approximately 0 to 10 microM. Several c-type cytochromes, including three novel multihaem proteins, are present at the cellular surface, a feature that is otherwise a peculiarity of dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria. At low copper concentrations, the cytochrome c(553o) and the cytochrome c(553o) family protein, encoded by the MCA0421 and MCA0423 genes, respectively, are major constituents of the surfaceome and show a fine-tuned copper-dependent regulation of expression. Two novel members of the cytochrome c(553o) family were identified: MCA0338 was abundant between 5 and 10 microM copper, while MCA2259 was detected only in the surface fraction obtained from approximately 0 microM copper cultures. The presence at the bacterial surface of several c-type cytochromes, generally involved in energy transduction, indicates strongly that redox processes take place at the bacterial surface. Due to the unique role of copper in the biology of M. capsulatus (Bath), it appears that c-type cytochromes have essential functions in copper homeostasis allowing the cells to adapt to varying copper exposure.     

The metal centers of particulate methane monooxygenase from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

Particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) is a membrane-bound metalloenzyme that oxidizes methane to methanol in methanotrophic bacteria. The nature of the pMMO active site and the overall metal content are controversial, with spectroscopic and crystallographic data suggesting the presence of a mononuclear copper center, a dinuclear copper center, a trinuclear center, and a diiron center or combinations thereof. Most studies have focused on pMMO from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath). pMMO from a second organism, Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, has been purified and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. Purified M. trichosporium OB3b pMMO contains approximately 2 copper ions per 100 kDa protomer. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic parameters indicate that type 2 Cu(II) is present as two distinct species. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data are best fit with oxygen/nitrogen ligands and reveal a Cu-Cu interaction at 2.52 A. Correspondingly, X-ray crystallography of M. trichosporium OB3b pMMO shows a dinuclear copper center, similar to that observed previously in the crystal structure of M. capsulatus (Bath) pMMO. There are, however, significant differences between the pMMO structures from the two organisms. A mononuclear copper center present in M. capsulatus (Bath) pMMO is absent in M. trichosporium OB3b pMMO, whereas a metal center occupied by zinc in the M. capsulatus (Bath) pMMO structure is occupied by copper in M. trichosporium OB3b pMMO. These findings extend previous work on pMMO from M. capsulatus (Bath) and provide new insight into the functional importance of the different metal centers.     

Identification of a copper-repressible C-type heme protein of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath). A member of a novel group of the bacterial di-heme cytochrome c peroxidase family of proteins

Genomic sequencing of the methanotrophic bacterium, Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath), revealed an open reading frame (MCA2590) immediately upstream of the previously described mopE gene (MCA2589). Sequence analyses of the deduced amino acid sequence demonstrated that the MCA2590-encoded protein shared significant, but restricted, sequence similarity to the bacterial di-heme cytochrome c peroxidase (BCCP) family of proteins. Two putative C-type heme-binding motifs were predicted, and confirmed by positive heme staining. Immunospecific recognition and biotinylation of whole cells combined with MS analyses confirmed expression of MCA2590 in M. capsulatus as a protein noncovalently associated with the cellular surface of the bacterium exposed to the cell exterior. Similar to MopE, expression of MCA2590 is regulated by the bioavailability of copper and is most abundant in M. capsulatus cultures grown under low copper conditions, thus indicating an important physiological role under these growth conditions. MCA2590 is distinguished from previously characterized members of the BCCP family by containing a much longer primary sequence that generates an increased distance between the two heme-binding motifs in its primary sequence. Furthermore, the surface localization of MCA2590 is in contrast to the periplasmic location of the reported BCCP members. Based on our experimental and bioinformatical analyses, we suggest that MCA2590 is a member of a novel group of bacterial di-heme cytochrome c peroxidases not previously characterized.     

Heat-tolerant methanotrophic bacteria from the hot water effluent of a natural gas field.

Methanotrophic bacteria were isolated from a natural environment potentially favorable to heat-tolerant methanotrophs. An improved colony plate assay was developed and used to identify putative methanotrophic colonies with high confidence. Fourteen new isolates were purified and partially characterized. These new isolates exhibit a DNA sequence homology of up to 97% with the conserved regions in the mmoX and mmoC genes of the soluble methane monooxygenase (MMO)-coding gene cluster of Methylococcus capsulatus Bath. The copper regulation of soluble MMO expression in the same isolates, however, differs from that of M. capsulatus Bath, as the new isolates can tolerate up to 0.8 microM copper without loss of MMO activity while a drastic reduction of MMO activity occurs already at 0.1 microM copper in M. capsulatus Bath. The isolates can be cultivated and utilized at elevated temperatures, and their copper- and heat-tolerant MMO activity makes these bacteria ideal candidates for future biotechnological use.     

An oxidized tryptophan facilitates copper binding in Methylococcus capsulatus-secreted protein MopE

Proteins can coordinate metal ions with endogenous nitrogen and oxygen ligands through backbone amino and carbonyl groups, but the amino acid side chains coordinating metals do not include tryptophan. Here we show for the first time the involvement of the tryptophan metabolite kynurenine in a protein metal-binding site. The crystal structure to 1.35 angstroms of MopE* from the methane-oxidizing Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) provided detailed information about its structure and mononuclear copper-binding site. MopE* contains a novel protein fold of which only one-third of the structure displays similarities to other known folds. The geometry around the copper ion is distorted tetrahedral with one oxygen ligand from a water molecule, two histidine imidazoles (His-132 and His-203), and at the fourth distorted tetrahedral position, the N1 atom of the kynurenine, an oxidation product of Trp-130. Trp-130 was not oxidized to kynurenine in MopE* heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, nor did this protein bind copper. Our findings indicate that the modification of tryptophan to kynurenine and its involvement in copper binding is an innate property of M. capsulatus MopE*.     

Heterotrophic bacteria growing in association with Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) in a single cell protein production process

The methanotrophic bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) grows on pure methane. However, in a single cell protein production process using natural gas as methane source, a bacterial consortium is necessary to support growth over longer periods in continuous cultures. In different bioreactors of Norferm Danmark A/S, three bacteria consistently invaded M. capsulatus cultures growing under semi-sterile conditions in continuous culture. These bacteria have now been identified as a not yet described member of the Aneurinibacillus group, a Brevibacillus agri strain, and an acetate-oxidiser of the genus Ralstonia. The physiological roles of these bacteria in the bioreactor culture growing on natural, non-pure methane gas are discussed. The heterotrophic bacteria do not have the genetic capability to produce either the haemolytic enterotoxin complex HBL or non-haemolytic enterotoxin.     

The surface-associated and secreted MopE protein of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) responds to changes in the concentration of copper in the growth medium

Expression of surface-associated and secreted protein MopE of the methanotrophic bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) in response to the concentration of copper ions in the growth medium was investigated. The level of protein associated with the cells and secreted to the medium changed when the copper concentration in the medium varied and was highest in cells exposed to copper stress.     

Optimization of solubilization and purification procedures for the hydroxylase component of membrane-bound methane monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus strain M

The hydroxylase component of membrane-bound (particulate) methane monooxygenase (pMMO) from Methylococcus capsulatus strain M was isolated and purified to homogeneity. The pMMO molecule comprises three subunits of molecular masses 47, 26, and 23 kD and contains three copper atoms and one iron atom. In solution the protein exists as a stable oligomer of 660 kD with possible subunit composition (alpha beta gamma)6. Mass spectroscopy shows high homology of the purified protein with methane monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus strain Bath. Pilot screening of crystallization conditions has been carried out.     

Crystal structure and characterization of particulate methane monooxygenase from Methylocystis species strain M

Particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) is an integral membrane metalloenzyme that oxidizes methane to methanol in methanotrophic bacteria. Previous biochemical and structural studies of pMMO have focused on preparations from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. A pMMO from a third organism, Methylocystis species strain M, has been isolated and characterized. Both membrane-bound and solubilized Methylocystis sp. strain M pMMO contain ~2 copper ions per 100 kDa protomer and exhibit copper-dependent propylene epoxidation activity. Spectroscopic data indicate that Methylocystis sp. strain M pMMO contains a mixture of Cu(I) and Cu(II), of which the latter exhibits two distinct type 2 Cu(II) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data are best fit with a mixture of Cu-O/N and Cu-Cu ligand environments with a Cu-Cu interaction at 2.52-2.64 ?. The crystal structure of Methylocystis sp. strain M pMMO was determined to 2.68 ? resolution and is the best quality pMMO structure obtained to date. It provides a revised model for the pmoA and pmoC subunits and has led to an improved model of M. capsulatus (Bath) pMMO. In these new structures, the intramembrane zinc/copper binding site has a different coordination environment from that in previous models.     

Biochemical characterization of MmoS, a sensor protein involved in copper-dependent regulation of soluble methane monooxygenase

Methane monooxygenase (MMO) enzymes catalyze the oxidation of methane to methanol in methanotrophic bacteria. Several strains of methanotrophs, including Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath), express a membrane-bound or particulate MMO (pMMO) at high copper-to-biomass ratios and a soluble MMO (sMMO) form when copper is limited. The mechanism of this "copper switch" is not understood. The mmoS gene, located downstream of the sMMO operon, encodes a sensor protein that is part of a two-component signaling system and has been proposed to play a role in the copper switch. MmoS from M. capsulatus (Bath) has been cloned, expressed, and purified. The purified protein is a tetramer of molecular mass 480 kDa. Optical spectra indicate that MmoS contains a flavin cofactor, identified as flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) by fluorescence spectroscopy and chromatographic analysis. The redox potential of the MmoS-bound FAD, which binds within the N-terminal PAS-PAC domains, is -290 +/- 2 mV at pH 8.0 and 25 degrees C. Despite extensive efforts, MmoS could not be loaded with Cu(I) or Cu(II), indicating that MmoS does not sense copper directly. These data suggest that MmoS functions as a redox sensor and provide new insight into the copper-mediated regulation of sMMO expression.     

Model of the molecular basis for hydroxylamine oxidation and nitrous oxide production in methanotrophic bacteria

Many methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) have been shown to aerobically oxidize ammonia and hydroxylamine (NH(2)OH) to produce nitrite and nitrous oxide (N(2)O). Genome sequences of alphaproteobacterial, gammaproteobacterial, and verrucomicrobial methanotrophs revealed the presence of haoAB, cytL, cytS, nirS or nirK, and norCB genes that may be responsible for N(2)O production, and additional haoAB genes were sequenced from two strains of Methylomicrobium album. The haoAB genes of M. album ATCC 33003 were inducible by ammonia and NH(2)OH, similar to haoAB induction by ammonia in Methylococcus capsulatus Bath. Increased expression of genes encoding nitric oxide reductase (cNOR; norCB) was measured upon exposure of M. capsulatus Bath to NaNO(2) and NO-releasing sodium nitroprusside. Only incubations of M. capsulatus Bath with methane, ammonia, and nitrite produced N(2)O. The data suggest a possible pathway of nitrite reduction to NO by reversely operating NH(2)OH oxidoreductase and NO reduction to N(2)O by cNOR independently or in conjunction with ammonia-induced enzymes (i.e. HAO or cytochrome c'-β). Results of this study show that MOB likely have diverse mechanisms for nitrogen oxide metabolism and detoxification of NH(2)OH that involve conventional and unconventional enzymes.     

Novel Rhodobacter capsulatus genes required for the biogenesis of various c-type cytochromes

Following chemical mutagenesis and screening for the inability to grow by photosynthesis and the absence of cyt cbb3 oxidase activity, two c-type cytochrome (cyt)-deficient mutants, 771 and K2, of Rhodobacter capsulatus were isolated. Both mutants were completely deficient in all known c-type cyts, and could not be complemented by the previously known cyt c biogenesis genes of R. capsulatus. Complementation of 771 and K2 with a wild-type chromosomal library led to the identification of two novel genes, cycJ and ccdA respectively. The cycJ is highly homologous to ccmE/cycJ, encountered in various Gram-negative species. Unlike in other species, where cycJ is a part of an operon essential for cyt c biogenesis, in R. capsulatus, it is located immediately downstream from argC, involved in arginine biosynthesis. Mutation of its universally conserved histidine residue, which is critical for its proposed haem chaperoning role, to an alanine led to loss of its function. All R. capsulatus cycJ mutants studied so far excrete copious amounts of coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin when grown on enriched media, suggesting that its product is also a component of the haem delivery branch of cyt c biogenesis in this species. In contrast, the R. capsulatus ccdA was homologous to the cyt c biogenesis gene ccdA, found in the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, and to the central region of dipZ, encoding a protein disulphide reductase required for cyt c biogenesis in Escherichia coli. Membrane topology of CcdA was established in R. capsulatus using ccdA:phoA and ccdA :lacZ gene fusions. The deduced topology revealed that the two conserved cysteine residues of CcdA are, as predicted, membrane embedded. Mutagenesis of these cysteines showed that both are required for the function of CcdA in cyt c biogenesis. This study demonstrated for the first time that CcdA homologues are also required for cyt c biogenesis in some gram-negative bacteria such as R. capsulatus.     

Soluble methane monooxygenase component B gene probe for identification of methanotrophs that rapidly degrade trichloroethylene.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms, Western blot (immunoblot) analysis, and fluorescence-labelled signature probes were used for the characterization of methanotrophic bacteria as well as for the identification of methanotrophs which contained the soluble methane monooxygenase (MMO) gene and were able to degrade trichloroethylene (TCE). The gene encoding a soluble MMO component B protein from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b was cloned. It contained a 2.2-kb EcoRI fragment. With this cloned component B gene as probe, methanotroph types I, II, and X and environmental and bioreactor samples were screened for the presence of the gene encoding soluble MMO. Fragments produced by digestion of DNA with rare cutting restriction endonucleases were separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and transferred to Zeta-Probe membrane (Bio-Rad) for Southern blot analysis. Samples were also analyzed for the presence of soluble MMO by Western blot analysis and the ability to degrade TCE. The physiological groups of methanotrophs in each sample were determined by hybridizing cells with fluorescence-labelled signature probes. Among twelve pure or mixed cultures, DNA fragments of seven methanotrophs hybridized with the soluble MMO B gene probe. When grown in media with limited copper, all of these bacteria degraded TCE. All of them are type II methanotrophs. The soluble MMO component B gene of the type X methanotroph, Methylococcus capsulatus Bath, did not hybridize to the M. trichosporium OB3b soluble MMO component B gene probe, although M. capsulatus Bath also produces a soluble MMO.     

Soluble methane monooxygenase component B gene probe for identification of methanotrophs that rapidly degrade trichloroethylene.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms, Western blot (immunoblot) analysis, and fluorescence-labelled signature probes were used for the characterization of methanotrophic bacteria as well as for the identification of methanotrophs which contained the soluble methane monooxygenase (MMO) gene and were able to degrade trichloroethylene (TCE). The gene encoding a soluble MMO component B protein from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b was cloned. It contained a 2.2-kb EcoRI fragment. With this cloned component B gene as probe, methanotroph types I, II, and X and environmental and bioreactor samples were screened for the presence of the gene encoding soluble MMO. Fragments produced by digestion of DNA with rare cutting restriction endonucleases were separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and transferred to Zeta-Probe membrane (Bio-Rad) for Southern blot analysis. Samples were also analyzed for the presence of soluble MMO by Western blot analysis and the ability to degrade TCE. The physiological groups of methanotrophs in each sample were determined by hybridizing cells with fluorescence-labelled signature probes. Among twelve pure or mixed cultures, DNA fragments of seven methanotrophs hybridized with the soluble MMO B gene probe. When grown in media with limited copper, all of these bacteria degraded TCE. All of them are type II methanotrophs. The soluble MMO component B gene of the type X methanotroph, Methylococcus capsulatus Bath, did not hybridize to the M. trichosporium OB3b soluble MMO component B gene probe, although M. capsulatus Bath also produces a soluble MMO.     

Copper ions as inhibitors of protein C of soluble methane monooxygenase of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

Copper(I), copper(II) and silver ions have been shown to be potent inhibitors of purified soluble methane monooxygenase (MMO) of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath). A weaker inhibition has been observed with zinc and cadmium ions. Proteins A and B of soluble MMO are unaffected by copper but protein C is rapidly and irreversibly inhibited. The site of copper inhibition has been shown to be primarily at the iron-sulphur centre of protein C with a secondary effect at the FAD centre when the copper(II):protein C ratio is high. Copper appears to bring about the inhibition of soluble MMO by interacting with protein C to disrupt the protein structure causing, firstly, the loss of the iron-sulphur centre, preventing the transfer of electrons from protein C to protein A, and secondly, the loss of FAD preventing the protein from accepting electrons from NADH. Inhibition and spectral data are provided to support this thesis. The inactivation of protein C is associated with the tight binding of four Cu atoms to each protein C molecule. These data extend our knowledge of how copper, which is known to have a key role in the cellular location of MMO, interacts with and rapidly and irreversibly inactivates the soluble form of this enzyme.     

Genomic Insights into Methanotrophy: The Complete Genome Sequence of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

Methanotrophs are ubiquitous bacteria that can use the greenhouse gas methane as a sole carbon and energy source for growth, thus playing major roles in global carbon cycles, and in particular, substantially reducing emissions of biologically generated methane to the atmosphere. Despite their importance, and in contrast to organisms that play roles in other major parts of the carbon cycle such as photosynthesis, no genome-level studies have been published on the biology of methanotrophs. We report the first complete genome sequence to our knowledge from an obligate methanotroph, Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath), obtained by the shotgun sequencing approach. Analysis revealed a 3.3-Mb genome highly specialized for a methanotrophic lifestyle, including redundant pathways predicted to be involved in methanotrophy and duplicated genes for essential enzymes such as the methane monooxygenases. We used phylogenomic analysis, gene order information, and comparative analysis with the partially sequenced methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens to detect genes of unknown function likely to be involved in methanotrophy and methylotrophy. Genome analysis suggests the ability of M. capsulatus to scavenge copper (including a previously unreported nonribosomal peptide synthetase) and to use copper in regulation of methanotrophy, but the exact regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. One of the most surprising outcomes of the project is evidence suggesting the existence of previously unsuspected metabolic flexibility in M. capsulatus, including an ability to grow on sugars, oxidize chemolithotrophic hydrogen and sulfur, and live under reduced oxygen tension, all of which have implications for methanotroph ecology. The availability of the complete genome of M. capsulatus (Bath) deepens our understanding of methanotroph biology and its relationship to global carbon cycles. We have gained evidence for greater metabolic flexibility than was previously known, and for genetic components that may have biotechnological potential.     

Characterization of a prokaryotic haemerythrin from the methanotrophic bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

For a long time, the haemerythrin family of proteins was considered to be restricted to only a few phyla of marine invertebrates. When analysing differential protein expression in the methane-oxidizing bacterium, Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath), grown at a high and low copper-to-biomass ratio, respectively, we identified a putative prokaryotic haemerythrin expressed in high-copper cultures. Haemerythrins are recognized by a conserved sequence motif that provides five histidines and two carboxylate ligands which coordinate two iron atoms. The diiron site is located in a hydrophobic pocket and is capable of binding O(2). We cloned the M. capsulatus haemerythrin gene and expressed it in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with NusA. The haemerythrin protein was purified to homogeneity cleaved from its fusion partner. Recombinant M. capsulatus haemerythrin (McHr) was found to fold into a stable protein. Sequence similarity analysis identified all the candidate residues involved in the binding of diiron (His22, His58, Glu62, His77, His81, His117, Asp122) and the amino acids forming the hydrophobic pocket in which O(2) may bind (Ile25, Phe59, Trp113, Leu114, Ile118). We were also able to model a three-dimensional structure of McHr maintaining the correct positioning of these residues. Furthermore, UV/vis spectrophotometric analysis demonstrated the presence of conjugated diiron atoms in McHr. A comprehensive genomic database search revealed 21 different prokaryotes containing the haemerythrin signature (PROSITE 00550), indicating that these putative haemerythrins may be a conserved prokaryotic subfamily.     

The ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase gene cluster of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

The genes encoding the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) were localised to an 8.3-kb EcoRI fragment of the genome. Genes encoding the large subunit ( cbbL), small subunit ( cbbS) and putative regulatory gene ( cbbQ) were shown to be located on one cluster. Surprisingly, cbbO, a second putative regulatory gene, was not located in the remaining 1.2-kb downstream (3') of cbbQ. However, probing of the M. capsulatus (Bath) genome with cbbO from Nitrosomonas europaea demonstrated that a cbbO homologue was contained within a separate 3.0-kb EcoRI fragment. Instead of a cbbR ORF being located upstream (5') of cbbL, there was a moxR-like ORF that was transcribed in the opposite direction to cbbL. There were three additional ORFs within the large 8.3-kb EcoRI fragment: a pyrE-like ORF, an rnr-like ORF and an incomplete ORF with no sequence similarity to any known protein. Phylogenetic analysis of cbbL from M. capsulatus (Bath) placed it within clade A of the green-type Form 1 Rubisco. cbbL was expressed in M. capsulatus (Bath) when grown with methane as a sole carbon and energy source under both copper-replete and copper-limited conditions. M. capsulatus (Bath) was capable of autotrophic growth on solid medium but not in liquid medium. Preliminarily investigations suggested that other methanotrophs may also be capable of autotrophic growth. Rubisco genes were also identified, by PCR, in Methylococcus-like strains and Methylocaldum species; however, no Rubisco genes were found in Methylomicrobium album BG8, Methylomonas methanica S1, Methylomonas rubra, Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b or Methylocystis parvus OBBP.