Quinohaemoprotein alcohol dehydrogenase apoenzyme from Pseudomonas testosteroni.

Cell-free extracts of Pseudomonas testosteroni, grown on alcohols, contain quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenase apoenzyme, as was demonstrated by the detection of dye-linked alcohol dehydrogenase activity after the addition of PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone). The apoenzyme was purified to homogeneity, and the holoenzyme was characterized. Primary alcohols (except methanol), secondary alcohols and aldehydes were substrates, and a broad range of dyes functioned as artificial electron acceptor. Optimal activity was observed at pH 7.7, and the presence of Ca2+ in the assay appeared to be essential for activity. The apoenzyme was found to be a monomer (Mr 67,000 +/- 5000), with an absorption spectrum similar to that of oxidized cytochrome c. After reconstitution to the holoenzyme by the addition of PQQ, addition of substrate changed the absorption spectrum to that of reduced cytochrome c, indicating that the haem c group participated in the enzymic mechanism. The enzyme contained one haem c group, and full reconstitution was achieved with 1 mol of PQQ/mol. In view of the aberrant properties, it is proposed to distinguish the enzyme from the common quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases by using the name 'quinohaemoprotein alcohol dehydrogenase'. Incorporation of PQQ into the growth medium resulted in a significant shortening of lag time and increase in growth rate. Therefore PQQ appears to be a vitamin for this organism during growth on alcohols, reconstituting the apoenzyme to a functional holoenzyme.     

Engineering thermal stability and solvent tolerance of the soluble quinoprotein PedE from Pseudomonas putida KT2440 with a heterologous whole‐cell screening approach

Due to their ability for direct electron transfer to electrodes, the utilization of rare earth metals as cofactor, and their periplasmic localization, pyrroloquinoline quinone‐dependent alcohol dehydrogenases (PQQ‐ADHs) represent an interesting class of biocatalysts for various biotechnological applications. For most biocatalysts protein stability is crucial, either to increase the performance of the protein under a given process condition or to maximize robustness of the protein towards mutational manipulations, which are often needed to enhance or introduce a functionality of interest. In this study, we describe a whole‐cell screening assay, suitable for probing PQQ‐ADH activities in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells, and use this assay to screen smart mutant libraries for increased thermal stability of the PQQ‐ADH PedE (PP_2674) from Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Upon three consecutive rounds of screening, we identified three different amino acid positions, which significantly improve enzyme stability. The subsequent combination of the beneficial mutations finally results in the triple mutant R91D/E408P/N410K, which not only exhibits a 7°C increase in thermal stability but also a twofold increase in residual activity upon incubation with up to 50% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), while showing no significant difference in enzymatic efficiency (k_cat/K_M).     

Interaction between high-fat diet and alcohol dehydrogenase on ethanol-elicited cardiac depression in murine myocytes

Objective: Consumption of high‐fat diet and alcohol is associated with obesity, leading to enhanced morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to examine the interaction between high‐fat diet and the alcohol metabolizing enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) on ethanol‐induced cardiac depression. Research Methods and Procedures: Mechanical and intracellular Ca²⁺ properties were measured in cardiomyocytes from ADH transgenic and Friend Virus‐B type (FVB) mice fed a low‐ or high‐fat diet for 16 weeks. Expression of protein kinase B (Akt) and Foxo3a, two proteins essential for cardiac survival, was evaluated by Western blot. Cardiac damage was determined by carbonyl formation. Results: High fat but not ADH induced obesity without hyperglycemia or hypertension, prolonged time‐to‐90% relengthening (TR₉₀), and depressed peak shortening (PS) and maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (± dL/dt) without affecting intracellular Ca²⁺ properties. Ethanol suppressed PS and intracellular Ca²⁺ rise in low‐fat‐fed FVB mouse cardiomyocytes. ADH but not high‐fat diet shifted the threshold of ethanol‐induced inhibition of PS and ± dL/dt to lower levels. The amplitude of ethanol‐induced cardiac depression was greater in the high‐fat but not the ADH group without additive effects. Ethanol down‐ and up‐regulated Akt and Foxo3a expression, respectively, and depressed intracellular Ca²⁺ rise, the effects of which were exaggerated by ADH, high‐fat, or both. High‐fat diet, but not ADH, enhanced Foxo3a expression and carbonyl content in non‐ethanol‐treated mice. Ethanol challenge significantly enhanced protein carbonyl formation, with the response being augmented by ADH, high‐fat, or both. Discussion: Our data suggest that high‐fat diet and ADH transgene may exaggerate ethanol‐induced cardiac depression and protein damage in response to ethanol.     

Three distinct quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases are expressed when Pseudomonas putida is grown on different alcohols.

A bacterial strain that can utilize several kinds of alcohols as its sole carbon and energy sources was isolated from soil and tentatively identified as Pseudomonas putida HK5. Three distinct dye-linked alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs), each of which contained the prosthetic group pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), were formed in the soluble fractions of this strain grown on different alcohols. ADH I was formed most abundantly in the cells grown on ethanol and was similar to the quinoprotein ADH reported for P. putida (H. Görisch and M. Rupp, Antonie Leeuwenhoek 56:35-45, 1989) except for its isoelectric point. The other two ADHs, ADH IIB and ADH IIG, were formed separately in the cells grown on 1-butanol and 1,2-propanediol, respectively. Both of these enzymes contained heme c in addition to PQQ and functioned as quinohemoprotein dehydrogenases. Potassium ferricyanide was an available electron acceptor for ADHs IIB and IIG but not for ADH I. The molecular weights were estimated to be 69,000 for ADH IIB and 72,000 for ADH IIG, and both enzymes were shown to be monomers. Antibodies raised against each of the purified ADHs could distinguish the ADHs from one another. Immunoblot analysis showed that ADH I was detected in cells grown on each alcohol tested, but ethanol was the most effective inducer. ADH IIB was formed in the cells grown on alcohols of medium chain length and also on 1,3-butanediol. Induction of ADH IIG was restricted to 1,2-propanediol or glycerol, of which the former alcohol was more effective. These results from immunoblot analysis correlated well with the substrate specificities of the respective enzymes. Thus, three distinct quinoprotein ADHs were shown to be synthesized by a single bacterium under different growth conditions.     

Wiring of PQQ-dehydrogenases

The performance of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and two types of PQQ-glucose dehydrogenases in solution and when immobilized on the carbon paste electrodes modified with ferrocene derivatives is investigated. The immobilization of ADH consisting of PQQ and four hemes improves its stability up to 10 times. Both PQQ and heme moieties are involved in the electron transport from substrate to electrode. The ferrocene derivatives improve the electron transport 10-fold. Membrane-bound alcohol dehydrogenase from Gluconobacter sp. 33, intracellular soluble glucose dehydrogenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus L.M.D. 79.41 (s-GDH), and the membrane-bound enzyme (m-GDH) from Erwinia sp. 34-1 were purified and investigated. Soluble and membrane-bound PQQ-glucose dehydrogenases display different behavior during the immobilization on the modified carbon electrodes. The immobilization of s-GDH leads to a decrease in both stability and substrate specificity of the enzyme. This suggests that PQQ dissociates from the enzyme active center and operates as a free-diffusing mediator. The rate-limiting step of the process is likely the loading of PQQ onto the apo-enzyme. The immobilization of m-GDH leads to its substantial stabilization and improves the substrate specificity. The nature of m-GDH binding to the electrode surface is presumably similar to the binding to the cell membrane through its anchor-subunit. The enzyme operates as an enzyme and mediator complex.     

Characterization of a group of pyrroloquinoline quinone‐dependent dehydrogenases that are involved in the conversion of L‐sorbose to 2‐Keto‐L‐gulonic acid in Ketogulonicigenium vulgare WSH‐001

Ketogulonicigenium vulgare WSH‐001 is an industrial strain used for vitamin C production. Based on genome sequencing and pathway analysis of the bacterium, some of its potential pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)‐dependent dehydrogenases were predicted, including KVU_pmdA_0245, KVU_2142, KVU_2159, KVU_1366, KVU_0203, KVU_0095, and KVU_pmdB_0115. BLAST and function domain searches showed that enzymes encoded by these genes may act as putative PQQ‐dependent L ‐sorbose dehydrogenases (SDH) or L ‐sorbosone dehydrogenases (SNDH). To validate whether these dehydrogenases are PQQ‐dependent or not, these seven putative dehyrogenases were overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and purified for characterization. Biochemical and kinetic characterization of the purified proteins have led to the identification of seven enzymes that possess the ability to oxidize L ‐sorbose or L ‐sorbosone to varying degrees. In addition, the dehydrogenation of sorbose in K. vulgare is validated to be PQQ dependent, identification of these PQQ‐dependent dehydrogenases expanded the PQQ‐dependent dehydrogenase family. Besides, the optimal combination of enzymes that could more efficiently catalyze the conversion of sorbose to gulonic acid was proposed. These are important in supporting the development of metabolic engineering strategies and engineering of efficient strains for one‐step production of vitamin C in the future. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1398–1404, 2013     

Quinoprotein ethanol dehydrogenase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis>: the unusual disulfide ring formed by adjacent cysteine residues is essential for efficient electron transfer to cytochrome <Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis><Subscript>550</Subscript>

All pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases contain an unusual disulfide ring formed between adjacent cysteine residues. A mutant enzyme that is lacking this structure was generated by replacing Cys105 and Cys106 with Ala in quinoprotein ethanol dehydrogenase (QEDH) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC17933. Heterologously expressed quinoprotein ethanol dehydrogenase in which Cys-105 and Cys-106 have been replaced by Ala (Cys105Ala/Cys106Ala apo-QEDH) was successfully converted to enzymatic active holo-enzyme by incorporation of its cofactor PQQ in the presence of Ca²⁺. The enzymatic activity of the mutant enzyme in the artificial dye test with N-methylphenazonium methyl sulfate (PMS) and 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP) at pH 9 did not depend on an activating amine which is essential for wild type activity under these conditions. The mutant enzyme showed increased Michaelis constants for primary alcohols, while the affinity for the secondary alcohol 2-propanol was unaltered. Surprisingly, for all substrates tested the specific activity of the mutant enzyme in the artificial dye test was higher than that found for wild type QEDH. On the contrary, in the ferricyanide test with the natural electron acceptor cytochrome c ₅₅₀ the activity of mutant Cys105Ala/Cys106Ala was 15-fold lower than that of wild type QEDH. We demonstrate for the first time unambiguously that the unusual disulfide ring is essential for efficient electron transfer at pH 7 from QEDH to its natural electron acceptor cytochrome c ₅₅₀.     

Structure of the pyrroloquinoline quinone radical in quinoprotein ethanol dehydrogenase

Quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases use the pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) cofactor to catalyze the oxidation of alcohols. The catalytic cycle is thought to involve a hydride transfer from the alcohol to the oxidized PQQ, resulting in the generation of aldehyde and reduced PQQ. Reoxidation of the cofactor by cytochrome proceeds in two sequential steps via the PQQ radical. We have used a combination of electron nuclear double resonance and density functional theory to show that the PQQ radical is not protonated at either O-4 or O-5, a result that is at variance with the general presumption of a singly protonated radical. The quantum mechanical calculations also show that reduced PQQ is unlikely to be protonated at O-5; rather, it is either singly protonated at O-4 or not protonated at either O-4 or O-5, a result that also challenges the common assumption of a reduced PQQ protonated at both O-4 and O-5. The reaction cycle of PQQ-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases is revised in light of these findings.     

The role of magnesium and calcium ions in the glucose dehydrogenase activity of Klebsiella pneumoniae NCTC 418

Magnesium-limited chemostat cultures of Klebsiella pneumoniae NCTC 418 with 20 M CaCl₂ in the medium showed a low rate of gluconate plus 2-ketogluconate production relative to potassium- or phosphate-limited cultures. However, when the medium concentration of CaCl₂ was increased to 1 mM, the glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) activities also increased and became similar to those observed in potassium- or phosphate limited cultures. It is concluded that this is due to Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions being involved in the binding of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) to the GDH apoenzyme. There seems to be an absolute requirement of divalent cations for proper enzyme functioning and in this respect Ca²⁺ ions could replace Mg²⁺ ions. The high GDH activity which has been found in cells grown under Mg^2–-limited conditions in the presence of higher concentrations of Ca²⁺ ions, is compatible with the earlier proposal that GDH functions as an auxiliary energy generating system involved in the maintenance of high transmembrane ion gradients.Abbreviations PQQ pyrroloquinoline quinone - GDH glucose dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.17) - GaDH gluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.3) - CAP chloramphenicol - WB Wurster's Blue [1,4-bis-(dimethylamino)-benzene perchlorate]     

Development of the active site model for calcium-containing quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases

A new PQQ model compound [dimethyl 7-(1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13-azacyclopentadec-13-yl)carbonyl-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-f]quinoline-2,9-dicarboxylate, 1], in which a 1-aza-15-crown-5 group is attached through an amide linkage at the 7-position, has been synthesized in order to develop an efficient model system of calcium-containing quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases. It has been found that Ca²⁺ binds to the quinone most strongly among the alkaline earth metal ions examined (Ca²⁺+>Sr²⁺+≫Ba²⁺+≫Mg²⁺) and the binding constant (K_M) for Ca²⁺ is as large as 2.1×10⁵ M⁻¹. Formation of the C-5 hemiacetal derivatives with ethanol is also investigated spectrophotometrically to show that the alcohol-addition to the quinone is enhanced in the presence of the metal ions. In this case, Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺ show a similar efficiency that is several times larger than that of Ba²⁺. Addition of a strong base such as DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene) into a MeCN solution containing the metal ion complex of 1 and ethanol leads to redox reactions to give the Ca²⁺ complex of 1H₂ (quinol form) and acetaldehyde. Kinetic studies on the redox reactions have been performed to gain insight into the mechanism of the alcohol-oxidation reaction catalyzed by the metal complexes of coenzyme PQQ.     

Structural studies of mutant forms of the PQQ‐forming enzyme PqqC in the presence of product and substrate

Pyrroloquinoline quinone [4,5‐dihydro‐4,5‐dioxo‐1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐f]quinoline‐2,7,9‐tricarboxylic acid (PQQ)] is a bacterial cofactor in numerous alcohol dehydrogenases including methanol dehydrogenase and glucose dehydrogenase. Its biosynthesis in Klebsiella pneumoniae is facilitated by six genes, pqqABCDEF and proceeds by an unknown pathway. PqqC is one of two metal free oxidases of known structure and catalyzes the last step of PQQ biogenesis which involves a ring closure and an eight‐electron oxidation of the substrate [3a‐(2‐amino‐2‐carboxyethyl)‐4,5‐dioxo‐4,5,6,7,8,9‐hexahydroquinoline‐7,9‐dicarboxylic acid (AHQQ)]. PqqC has 14 conserved active site residues, which have previously been shown to be in close contact with bound PQQ. Herein, we describe the structures of three PqqC active site variants, H154S, Y175F, and the double mutant R179S/Y175S. The H154S crystal structure shows that, even with PQQ bound, the enzyme is still in the “open” conformation with helices α5b and α6 unfolded and the active site solvent accessible. The Y175F PQQ complex crystal structure reveals the closed conformation indicating that Y175 is not required for the conformational change. The R179S/Y175S AHQQ complex crystal structure is the most mechanistically informative, indicating an open conformation with a reaction intermediate trapped in the active site. The intermediate seen in R179S/Y175S is tricyclic but nonplanar, implying that it has not undergone oxidation. These studies implicate a stepwise process in which substrate binding leads to the generation of the closed protein conformation, with the latter playing a critical role in O₂ binding and catalysis. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Structure and activity of the NAD(P)+‐dependent succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase YneI from Salmonella typhimurium

Aldehyde dehydrogenases are found in all organisms and play an important role in the metabolic conversion and detoxification of endogenous and exogenous aldehydes. Genomes of many organisms including Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium encode two succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenases with low sequence similarity and different cofactor preference (YneI and GabD). Here, we present the crystal structure and biochemical characterization of the NAD(P)⁺‐dependent succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase YneI from S. typhimurium. This enzyme shows high activity and affinity toward succinate semialdehyde and exhibits substrate inhibition at concentrations of SSA higher than 0.1 mM. YneI can use both NAD⁺ and NADP⁺ as cofactors, although affinity to NAD⁺ is 10 times higher. High resolution crystal structures of YneI were solved in a free state (1.85 Å) and in complex with NAD⁺ (1.90 Å) revealing a two domain protein with the active site located in the interdomain interface. The NAD⁺ molecule is bound in the long channel with its nicotinamide ring positioned close to the side chain of the catalytic Cys268. Site‐directed mutagenesis demonstrated that this residue, as well as the conserved Trp136, Glu365, and Asp426 are important for activity of YneI, and that the conserved Lys160 contributes to the enzyme preference to NAD⁺. Our work has provided further insight into the molecular mechanisms of substrate selectivity and activity of succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenases. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Structure of an acetylating aldehyde dehydrogenase from the thermophilic ethanologen Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius

Acetylating aldehyde dehydrogenases (AcAldDH) catalyse the acetylation of Coenzyme‐A (CoA), or in reverse generate acetaldehyde from Acetyl‐CoA using NADH as a co‐factor. This article reports the expression, purification, enzyme assay, and X‐ray crystal structures of an AcAldDH from Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius (GtAcAldDH) to 2.1Å and in complex with CoA and NAD⁺ to 4.0Å. In the structure, the AcAldDH forms a close‐knit dimer, similar to that seen in other Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) structures. In GtAcAldDH, these dimers associate via their N‐termini to form weakly interacting tetramers. This mode of tetrameric association is also seen in an unpublished AcAldDH deposited in the PDB, but is in contrast to all other ADH structures, (including the one other published AcAldDH found in a bacterial microcompartment), in which the dimers bury a large surface area including the C‐termini. This novel mode of association sequesters the active sites and potentially reactive acyl‐enzyme intermediates in the center of the tetramer. In other respects, the structure is very similar to the other AcAldDH, binding the cofactors in a corresponding fashion. This similarity enabled the identification of a shortened substrate cavity in G. thermoglucosidasius AcAldDH, explaining the limitations on the length of substrate accepted by the enzyme.     

Use of the anti-Prelog stereospecific alcohol dehydrogenase from Leifsonia and Pseudomonas for producing chiral alcohols

The asymmetric reduction of ketones is one of the most promising processes for producing chiral alcohols. However, dehydrogenases or reductases that can catalyze the reduction of ketones to give anti-Prelog chiral alcohols have been limited to some NADP⁺/NADPH-dependent enzymes. Recently, we reported a novel NAD⁺/NADH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from Leifsonia sp. and Pseudomonas ADH homologs from soil metagenomes. Moreover, we have established an efficient hydrogen-transfer bioreduction process with 2-propanol as a hydrogen donor using Leifsonia ADH. This review focuses on the recent development of novel ADHs for producing industrially useful anti-Prelog chiral alcohols from various ketones.     

Gene Cloning and Biochemical Characterization of an Alcohol Dehydrogenase from Euglena gracilis1

ABSTRACT. Euglena gracilis is a freshwater free‐living organism able to grow with ethanol as carbon source; to facilitate this metabolism several alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activities have been detected. We report the gene cloning, over‐expression, and biochemical characterization of a medium‐chain NAD⁺‐dependent ADH from E. gracilis (EgADH). The enzyme's amino acid sequence displayed the highest percentages of similarity and identity with ADHs of bacteria and fungi. In the predicted three‐dimensional model, all the residues involved in Zn²⁺, cofactor, and substrate binding were conserved. A conventional signal peptide for import into mitochondria could not be clearly identified. The protein of 37 kDa was over‐expressed, purified to homogeneity, and kinetically characterized. The enzyme's optimal pH was 7.0 for ethanol oxidation displaying a V_m of 11.7±3.6 U/mg protein and a K_m of 3.2±0.7 mM for this substrate. Isopropanol and isopentanol were also utilized, although with less efficiency. It showed specificity for NAD⁺ with a K_m value of 0.39±0.1 mM and Mg²⁺ or Zn²⁺ were essential for activity. The recombinant EgADH reported here may help to elucidate the roles that different ADHs have on the metabolism of short‐ and long‐chain alcohols in this microorganism.     

The quinohaemoprotein alcohol dehydrogenase from Gluconacetobacter xylinus: molecular and catalytic properties

Gluconacetobacter xylinus possesses a constitutive membrane-bound oxidase system for the use of ethanol. Its alcohol dehydrogenase complex (ADH) was purified to homogeneity and characterized. It is a 119-kDa heterodimer (68 and 41 kDa subunits). The peroxidase reaction confirmed the presence of haem C in both subunits. Four cytochromes c per enzyme were determined by pyridine hemochrome spectroscopy. Redox titrations of the purified ADH revealed the presence of four haem c redox centers, with apparent mid-point potential values (Em₇) of −33, +55, +132 and +310 mV, respectively. The ADH complex contains one mol of pyrroloquinoline quinone as determined by HPLC. The enzyme was purified in full reduced state; oxidation was induced by potassium ferricyanide and substrate restores full reduction. Activity responses to pH were sharp, showing two distinct optimal pH values (i.e. pH 5.5 and 6.5) depending on the electron acceptor used. Purified ADH oxidizes primary alcohols (C2–C6) but not methanol. Noteworthy, aliphatic aldehydes (C1–C4) were also good substrates. Myxothiazol and antymicin A were powerful inhibitors of the purified ADH complex, most likely acting at the ubiquinone acceptor site in subunit II.     

Purification and properties of benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase from a denitrifying Thauera sp.

Toluene and related aromatic compounds are anaerobically degraded by the denitrifying bacterium Thauera sp. strain K172 via oxidation to benzoyl-CoA. The postulated initial step is methylhydroxylation of toluene to benzyl alcohol, which is either a free or enzyme-bound intermediate. Cells grown with toluene or benzyl alcohol contained benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase, which is possibly the second enzyme in the proposed pathway. The enzyme was purified from benzyl-alcohol-grown cells and characterized. It has many properties in common with benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase from Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas species. The enzyme was active as a homotetramer of 160kDa, with subunits of 40kDa. It was NAD⁺-specific, had an alkaline pH optimum, and was inhibited by thiol-blocking agents. No evidence for a bound cofactor was obtained. Various benzyl alcohol analogues served as substrates, whereas non-aromatic alcohols were not oxidized. The N-terminal amino acid sequence indicates that the enzyme belongs to the class of long-chain Zn²⁺-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases, although it appears not to contain a metal ion that can be removed by complexing agents.Dedicated to Prof. Achim Trebst     

Cloning,expression, and characterization of an (R)-specific alcohol dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus kefir

Lactobacillus kefir DSM 20587 produces an (R)-specific NADP-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) with a broad substrate specificity. The gene of this ADH was isolated and the complete nucleotide sequence determined. The adh gene comprises 759?bp and encodes a protein of 252 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 26 781?Da. The deduced amino acid sequence indicated a high degree of similarity to short-chain dehydrogenases. After cloning and expression in Escherichia coli the enzyme was purified and characterized. For the reduction of acetophenone the specific activity of the homogeneous recombinant ADH was 558?U?mg^?1. The enzyme shows its maximum activity at 50°C while the pH optimum was at pH?7.0. In order to demonstrate its preparative application, purified ADH was used for the stereoselective reduction of several aliphatic and aromatic ketones as well as β-keto esters. Glucose dehydrogenase was added for the regeneration of NADPH. All prochiral ketones were stereoselectively reduced to the corresponding alcohols with >99% ee and in the case of diketones >99% de.     

Quinohemoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases: structure, function, and physiology

Quino(hemo)protein alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) that have pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) as the prosthetic group are classified into 3 groups, types I, II, and III. Type I ADH is a simple quinoprotein having PQQ as the only prosthetic group, while type II and type III ADHs are quinohemoprotein having heme c as well as PQQ in the catalytic polypeptide. Type II ADH is a soluble periplasmic enzyme and is widely distributed in Proteobacteria such as Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, Comamonas, etc. In contrast, type III ADH is a membrane-bound enzyme working on the periplasmic surface solely in acetic acid bacteria. It consists of three subunits that comprise a quinohemoprotein catalytic subunit, a triheme cytochrome c subunit, and a third subunit of unknown function. The catalytic subunits of all the quino(hemo)protein ADHs have a common structural motif, a quinoprotein-specific superbarrel domain, where PQQ is deeply embedded in the center. In addition, in the type II and type III ADHs this subunit contains a unique heme c domain. Various type II ADHs each have a unique substrate specificity, accepting a wide variety of alcohols, as is discussed on the basis of recent X-ray crystallographic analyses. Electron transfer within both type II and III ADHs is discussed in terms of the intramolecular reaction from PQQ to heme c and also from heme to heme, and in terms of the intermolecular reaction with azurin and ubiquinone, respectively. Unique physiological functions of both types of quinohemoprotein ADHs are also discussed.     

Characterization of alcohol dehydrogenase 1 and 3 from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neurospora crassa</Emphasis> FGSC2489

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is a key enzyme in the production and utilization of alcohols. Some also catalyze the formation of carboxylate esters from alcohols and aldehydes. The ADH1 and ADH3 genes of Neurospora crassa FGSC2489 were cloned and expressed in recombinant Escherichia coli to investigate their alcohol dehydrogenation and carboxylate ester formation abilities. Homology analysis and sequence alignment of amino acid sequence indicated that ADH1 and ADH3 of N. crassa contained a zinc-binding consensus sequence and a NAD⁺-binding motif and showed 54–75% identity with fungi ADHs. N. crassa ADH1 was expressed in E. coli to give a specific activity of 289 ± 9 mU/mg using ethanol and NAD⁺ as substrate and cofactor, respectively. Corresponding experiments on the expression and activity of ADH3 gave 4 mU/mg of specific activity. N. crassa ADH1 preferred primary alcohols containing C3–C8 carbons to secondary alcohols such as 2-propanol and 2-butanol. N. crassa ADH1 possessed 5.3 mU/mg of specific carboxylate ester-forming activity accumulating 0.4 mM of ethyl acetate in 18 h. Substrate specificity of various linear alcohols and aldehydes indicated that short chain-length alcohols and aldehydes were good substrates for carboxylate ester production. N. crassa ADH1 was a primary alcohol dehydrogenase using cofactor NAD⁺ preferably and possessed carboxylate ester-forming activity with short chain alcohols and aldehydes.