Characterization of Cystathionine β-Synthase TtCbs1 and Cysteine Synthase TtCsa1 Involved in Cysteine Biosynthesis in Tetrahymena thermophila

Cysteine is implicated in important biological processes. It is synthesized through two different pathways. Cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase participate in the reverse transsulfuration pathway, while serine acetyltransferase and cysteine synthase function in the de novo pathway. Two evolutionarily related pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent enzymes, cystathionine β-synthase TtCBS1 (TTHERM_00558300) and cysteine synthase TtCSA1 (TTHERM_00239430), were identified from a freshwater protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. TtCbs1 contained the N-terminal heme binding domain, catalytic domain, and C-terminal regulatory domain, whereas TtCsa1 consisted of two α/β domains. The catalytic core of the two enzymes is similar. TtCBS1 and TtCSA1 showed high expression levels in the vegetative growth stage and decreased during the sexual developmental stage. TtCbs1 and TtCsa1 were localized in the cytoplasm throughout different developmental stages. His-TtCbs1 and His-TtCsa1 were expressed and purified in vitro. TtCbs1 catalyzed the canonical reaction with the highest velocity and possessed serine sulfhydrylase activity. TtCsa1 showed cysteine synthase activity with high K_m for O-acetylserine and low K_m for sulfide and also had serine sulfhydrylase activity toward serine. Both TtCbs1 and TtCsa1 catalyzed hydrogen sulfide producing. TtCBS1 knockdown and TtCSA1 knockout mutants affected cysteine and glutathione synthesis. TtCbs1 and TtCsa1 are involved in cysteine synthesis through two different pathways in T. thermophila.