Functional expression of nitrogenase-like protochlorophyllide reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus in Escherichia coli

Dark-operative protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (DPOR) is a nitrogenase-like enzyme catalyzing D-ring reduction of protochlorophyllide in chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll biosynthesis. DPOR consists of two components, L-protein and NB-protein, which are structurally related to nitrogenase Fe-protein and MoFe-protein, respectively. Neither Fe-protein nor MoFe-protein is expressed as an active form in Escherichia coli due to the requirement of many Nif proteins for the assembly of the metallocenter and the maturation specific for diazotrophs. Here we report the functional expression of DPOR components from Rhodobacter capsulatus in Escherichia coli. Two overexpression plasmids for L-protein and NB-protein were constructed. L-protein and NB-protein purified from E. coli showed spectroscopic properties similar to those purified from R. capsulatus. L-protein and NB-protein activities were evaluated using a crude extract of E. coli overexpressing NB-protein and L-protein, respectively. Specific activities of the purified L-protein and NB-protein were 219+/-38 and 52.8+/-5.5 nmolChlorophyllide min(-1) mg(-1), respectively, which were even higher than those of L-protein and NB-protein purified from R. capsulatus. These E. coli strains provide a promising system for structural and kinetic analyses of the nitrogenase-like enzymes.