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Rubredoxin reductase of Pseudomonas oleovorans. Structural relationship to other flavoprotein oxidoreductases based on one NAD and two FAD fingerprints.

The oxidation of alkanes to alkanols by Pseudomonas oleovorans involves a three-component enzyme system: alkane hydroxylase, rubredoxin and rubredoxin reductase. Alkane hydroxylase and rubredoxin are encoded by the alkBFGHJKL operon, while previous studies indicated that rubredoxin reductase is most likely encoded on the second alk cluster: the alkST operon. In this study we show that alkT encodes the 41 x 10(3) Mr rubredoxin reductase, on the basis of a comparison of the expected amino acid composition of AlkT and the previously established amino acid composition of the purified rubredoxin reductase. The alkT sequence revealed significant similarities between AlkT and several NAD(P)H and FAD-containing reductases and dehydrogenases. All of these enzymes contain two ADP binding sites, which can be recognized by a common beta alpha beta-fold or fingerprint, derived from known structures of cofactor binding enzymes. By means of this amino acid fingerprint we were able to determine that one ADP binding site in rubredoxin reductase (AlkT) is located at the N terminus and is involved in FAD binding, while the second site is located in the middle of the sequence and is involved in the binding of NAD or NADP. In addition, we derived from the sequences of FAD binding reductases a second amino acid fingerprint for FAD binding, and we used this fingerprint to identify a third amino acid sequence in AlkT near the carboxy terminus for binding of the flavin moiety of FAD. On the basis of the known architecture and relative spatial orientations of the NAD and FAD binding sites in related dehydrogenases, a model for part of the tertiary structure of AlkT was developed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Potentiation of the antiviral activity of poly r(A-U) by riboflavin, FAD and FMN.

The role of riboflavin (RFN), FAD or FMN in modulating the antiviral activity of poly r(A-U) was examined by the human foreskin fibroblast-vesicular stomatitis virus bioassay in which the concentrations of poly r(A-U) was fixed at 0.1 mM or 0.2 mM while the riboflavin, FAD or FMN concentration was varied to produce variable RFN (or FAD or FMN)/ribonucleotide ratios ranging from 1/16 to 2/1. Riboflavin, FAD and FMN tested individually did not exhibit any antiviral activity, while poly r(A-U) alone exhibited antiviral activity. When poly r(A-U) was combined with riboflavin, FAD or FMN, the antiviral activity was potentiated seven- to twelve-fold at RFN (or FAD or FMN)/ribonucleotide ratios in the region of 1/4.

Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral↗

The crystal structure of phenol hydroxylase in complex with FAD and phenol provides evidence for a concerted conformational change in the enzyme and its cofactor during catalysis.

BACKGROUND: The synthesis of phenolic compounds as by-products of industrial reactions poses a serious threat to the environment. Understanding the enzymatic reactions involved in the degradation and detoxification of these compounds is therefore of much interest. Soil-living yeasts use flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-containing enzymes to hydroxylate phenols. This reaction initiates a metabolic sequence permitting utilisation of the aromatic compound as a source of carbon and energy. The phenol hydroxylase from Trichosporon cutaneum hydroxylates phenol to catechol. Phenol is the best substrate, but the enzyme also accepts simple hydroxyl-, amino-, halogen- or methyl-substituted phenols. RESULTS: The crystal structure of phenol hydroxylase in complex with FAD and phenol has been determined at 2.4 A resolution. The structure was solved by the MIRAS method. The protein model consists of two homodimers. The subunit consists of three domains, the first of which contains a beta sheet that binds FAD with a typical beta alpha beta nucleotide-binding motif and also a fingerprint motif for NADPH binding. The active site is located at the interface between the first and second domains; the second domain also binds the phenolic substrate. The third domain contains a thioredoxin-like fold and is involved in dimer contacts. The subunits within the dimer show substantial differences in structure and in FAD conformation. This conformational flexibility allows the substrate to gain access to the active site and excludes solvent during the hydroxylation reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Two of the domains of phenol hydroxylase are similar in structure to p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase. Thus, phenol hydroxylase is a member of a family of flavin-containing aromatic hydroxylases that share the same overall fold, in spite of large differences in amino acid sequences and chain length. The structure of phenol hydroxylase is consistent with a hydroxyl transfer mechanism via a peroxo-FAD intermediate. We propose that a movement of FAD takes place in concert with a large conformational change of residues 170-210 during catalysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Determination of the midpoint potential of the FAD and FMN flavin cofactors and of the 3Fe-4S cluster of glutamate synthase.

Glutamate synthase is a complex iron-sulfur flavoprotein that catalyzes the reductive transfer of the L-glutamine amide group to C(2) of 2-oxoglutarate, forming two molecules of L-glutamate. The bacterial enzyme is an alphabeta protomer, which contains one FAD (on the beta subunit, approximately 50 kDa), one FMN (on the alpha subunit, approximately 150 kDa), and three different Fe-S clusters (one 3Fe-4S center on the alpha subunit and two 4Fe-4S clusters at an unknown location). To address the problem of the intramolecular electron pathway, we have measured the midpoint potential values of the flavin cofactors and of the 3Fe-4S cluster of glutamate synthase in the isolated alpha and beta subunits and in the alphabeta holoenzyme. No detectable amounts of flavin semiquinones were observed during reductive titrations of the enzyme, indicating that the midpoint potential value of each flavin(ox)/flavin(sq) couple is, in all cases, significantly more negative than that of the corresponding flavin(sq)/flavin(hq) couple. Association of the two subunits to form the alphabeta protomer does not alter significantly the midpoint potential value of the FMN cofactor and of the 3Fe-4S cluster (approximately -240 and -270 mV, respectively), but it makes that of FAD some 40 mV less negative (approximately -340 mV for the beta subunit and -300 mV for FAD bound to the holoenzyme). Binding of the nonreducible NADP(+) analogue, 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotide phosphate, made the measured midpoint potential value of the FAD cofactor approximately 30-40 mV less negative in the isolated beta subunit, but had no effect on the redox properties of the alphabeta holoenzyme. This result correlates with the formation of a stable charge-transfer complex between the reduced flavin and the oxidized pyridine nucleotide in the isolated beta subunit, but not in the alphabeta holoenzyme. Binding of L-methionine sulfone, a glutamine analogue, had no significant effect on the redox properties of the enzyme cofactors. On the contrary, 2-oxoglutarate made the measured midpoint potential value of the 3Fe-4S cluster approximately 20 mV more negative in the isolated alpha subunit, but up to 100 mV less negative in the alphabeta holoenzyme as compared to the values of the corresponding free enzyme forms. These findings are consistent with electron transfer from the entry site (FAD) to the exit site (FMN) through the 3Fe-4S center of the enzyme and the involvement of at least one of the two low-potential 4Fe-4S centers, which are present in the glutamate synthase holoenzyme, but not in the isolated subunits. Furthermore, the data demonstrate a specific role of 2-oxoglutarate in promoting electron transfer from FAD to the 3Fe-4S cluster of the glutamate synthase holoenzyme. The modulatory role of 2-oxoglutarate is indeed consistent with the recently determined three-dimensional structure of the glutamate synthase alpha subunit, in which several polypeptide stretches are suitably positioned to mediate communication between substrate binding sites and the enzyme redox centers (FMN and the 3Fe-4S cluster) to tightly control and coordinate the individual reaction steps [Binda, C., et al. (2000) Structure 8, 1299-1308].

Azospirillum brasilense↗

Flavin recognition by an RNA aptamer targeted toward FAD.

Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is one of the primary cofactors in biological redox reactions. Designing cofactor-dependent redox ribozymes could benefit from studies of new RNA-cofactor complexes, as would our understanding of ribozyme evolution during an RNA World. We have therefore used the SELEX method to identify RNA aptamers that recognize FAD. Functional analysis of mutant aptamers, S1 nuclease probing, and comparative sequence analysis identified a simple, 45 nt helical structure with several internal bulges as the core-binding element. These aptamers recognize with high specificity the isoalloxazine nucleus of FAD but do not distinguish FAD from FADH(2), nor are they removed from an FAD resin with UMP (which shares a pattern of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors along one face). Thus, these aptamers are structurally and functionally distinct from previously identified FMN and riboflavin aptamers. Circular dichroism data suggest a conformational change in the RNA upon FAD binding. These aptamers require magnesium and are active across a wide pH range (4.5-8.9). Since general acid-base catalysis plays a role in some flavin-dependent redox reaction mechanisms, these aptamers may be particularly well-suited to the design of new redox ribozymes.

Base Sequence↗

Role of Asp1393 in catalysis, flavin reduction, NADP(H) binding, FAD thermodynamics, and regulation of the nNOS flavoprotein.

Nitric oxide synthases (NOS) are flavoheme enzymes with important roles in biology. The reductase domain of neuronal NOS (nNOSr) contains a widely conserved acidic residue (Asp(1393)) that is thought to facilitate hydride transfer between NADPH and FAD. Previously we found that the D1393V and D1393N mutations lowered the NO synthesis activity and the rates of heme and flavin reduction in full-length nNOS. To examine the mechanisms for these results in greater detail, we incorporated D1393V and D1393N substitutions into nNOSr along with a truncated NADPH-FAD domain construct (FNR) and characterized the mutants. D1393V nNOSr had markedly lower (<or=1000x) cytochrome c reductase, ferricyanide reductase, and NADPH oxidase activities than the wild type. D1393N nNOSr also had lower reductase activities (<or=10x) but had greater NADPH oxidase activity than that of the wild type, as did its FNR fragment. Both mutants had an altered interaction between FAD and the nicotinamide ring of NADP(+), slower flavin reduction by NADPH, altered FAD midpoint potentials, a normal CaM response, and, in one case (D1393N), faster flavin oxidation by O(2) and a lack of FMN shielding in response to NADPH binding. The results suggest that the two mutants have compromised catalysis for two different reasons. In D1393V nNOSr, hydride transfer from NADPH to FAD is so slow that it compromises all downstream electron-transfer events. In D1393N nNOSr, the increased oxidation of reduced flavins by O(2) and thermodynamic destabilization of the FAD semiquinone uncouples or limits electron transfer to an extent that it inhibits downstream catalysis. These effects are due in part to the mutations eliminating (D1393V) or altering (D1393N) the native side-chain hydrogen-bonding properties of Asp(1393) as well as removing its negative charge.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Biochemical and physical characterization of the active FAD-containing form of nitroalkane oxidase from Fusarium oxysporum.

Nitroalkane oxidase from Fusarium oxysporum catalyzes the oxidation of nitroalkanes to aldehydes with production of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 47 955 +/- 39, as determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry; under nondenaturing conditions, the aggregation state of the enzyme is best described by a tetramer-dimer self-associating model, with an association constant of (8.5 +/- 4.4) x 10(6) M-1 (pH 7.0 and 4 degreesC). The amino acid composition and the N-terminal amino acid sequence do not match any known protein or open reading frame. The inactive 5-nitrobutyl-1,5-dihydroflavin found in the enzyme as purified was converted to FAD, allowing characterization of the active FAD-containing enzyme. With nitroethane as substrate, the Vmax and Km values are 655 +/- 45 min-1 and 2.9 +/- 0.5 mM at pH 8.0 and 30 degreesC, respectively. One mole of FAD per mole of monomer enzyme is required for catalysis. No activity can be detected with amino acids or alpha-hydroxy acids as substrates. Reversible removal of the FAD cofactor yields inactive enzyme. The properties of the FAD cofactor in nitroalkane oxidase are within the range described for other oxidases. The UV-visible absorbance spectrum of the active enzyme shows maxima at 446, 384, and 274 nm; the extinction coefficient at 446 nm is 11.7 mM-1 cm-1. The neutral form of the flavin semiquinone, with maxima at 536 and 342 nm, is kinetically stabilized. The UV-visible absorbance spectrum of the reduced enzyme is typical of the anionic form of a flavin, with a peak centered at 335 nm. The affinity of the enzyme for sulfite is low (Kd value of 13.8 +/- 0.9 mM at pH 7.0 and 25 degreesC); this result, along with the stabilization of the neutral flavin semiquinone, suggests the presence of a weak positive charge near the N(1)-C(2)=O of FAD. The reduction potential of the enzyme is -367 mV. Benzoate and phenylacetic acid are competitive inhibitors, with Kis values of 5.1 +/- 0.6 and 13.1 +/- 2.3 mM, respectively. Binding of benzoate to nitroalkane oxidase results in spectral changes similar to those observed with d-amino acid oxidase. The absorbance spectrum of the flavin bound to nitroalkane oxidase is pH-dependent, with a pKa value of 8.4.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Specific stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with acute myocarditis by peptide-bound flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), a naturally occurring autologous hapten.

The tryptic FAD-peptide carrying the flavin in 8alpha-(N3)histidyl linkage as natural hapten was isolated by HPLC from the bacterial enzyme 6-hydroxy-d-nicotine oxidase. The same flavin protein linkage is found in the mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein subunit, the predominant flavoprotein with covalently bound FAD in mitochondria of cardiomyocytes. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from four patients with acute myocarditis, seven patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and from four healthy control individuals. The response of PBMC to the FAD-peptide was evaluated by measuring proliferation ([3H]-dThd incorporation) and cytokine secretion [interferon (IFN)-gamma]. PBMC from all patients with acute myocarditis showed positive responses to the FAD-peptide, in contrast to PBMC from patients with DCM or control individuals. Following the recovery of the patients from the acute inflammation of the heart, PBMC no longer exhibited a proliferation response to the FAD-peptide. A chemically synthesized FAD-free peptide with identical amino acid sequence induced no response of PBMC. The results are consistent with a recall response by activated T cells, specific for the normally cryptic mitochondrial flavin-hapten, which may be liberated following cardiomyocyte destruction during the inflammation of the heart.

Acute Disease↗

Covalent attachment of FAD derivatives to a fusion protein consisting of 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine oxidase and a mitochondrial presequence. Folding, enzyme activity, and import of the modified protein into yeast mitochondria.

Autoflavinylation of 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine oxidase (6-HDNO) was successfully employed to modify the protein covalently with FAD derivatives. The model compounds N6-(2-aminoethyl)-FAD and N6-(6-carboxyhexyl)-FAD were spontaneously bound to a fusion protein consisting of the mitochondrial targeting sequence of Neurospora crassa F0-ATPase subunit 9 (Su9) attached to 6-HDNO. When translated in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate, Su9-6-HDNO was in the trypsin-sensitive apoenzyme form; when translated in the presence of flavins it adopted a trypsin-resistant conformation characteristic of the 6-HDNO holoenzyme. With flavin derivatives, Su9-6-HDNO exhibited approximately 50% of the 6-HDNO activity observed with FAD. The covalently modified Su9-6-HDNO was imported into Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria with an efficiency equal to that of the apoenzyme. Apparently the increase in size and charge of the FAD moiety did not hamper translocation across the mitochondrial membranes. Yeast mutant ssc1-2 mitochondria deficient in mtHsp70 unfoldase activity imported the flavinylated Su9-6-HDNO protein. In mutant ssc1-3 mitochondria deficient in both mtHsp70 unfoldase and translocase activity Su9-6-HDNO was trapped as translocation intermediate; the Su9 presequence was passed to the matrix where it was proteolytically cleaved by the mitochondrial processing peptidase; (MPP); the translocation-arrested 6-HDNO moiety adopted a trypsin-sensitive conformation. Our results indicate that unfolding of the FAD-stabilized flavin-binding domain of 6-HDNO in passage through the mitochondrial general insertion pore does not require the activity of mtHsp70.

Animals↗

Covalent attachment of FAD to the yeast succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein requires import into mitochondria, presequence removal, and folding.

Succinate dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.1) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme that utilizes the cofactor, FAD, to catalyze the oxidation of succinate and the reduction of ubiqinone. The succinate dehydrogenase enzyme is a heterotetramer composed of a flavoprotein, an iron-sulfur protein, and two hydrophobic subunits. The FAD is covalently attached to a histidine residue near the amino terminus of the flavoprotein. In this study, we have investigated the attachment of the FAD cofactor with the use of an antiserum that specifically recognizes FAD and hence, can discriminate between apo- and holoflavoproteins. Cofactor attachment, both in vivo and in vitro, occurs within the mitochondrial matrix once the presequence has been cleaved. FAD attachment is stimulated by, but not dependent upon, the presence of the iron-sulfur subunit and citric acid cycle intermediates such as succinate, malate, or fumarate. Furthermore, this modification does not occur with C-terminally truncated flavoprotein subunits that are fully competent for import. Taken together, these data suggest that cofactor addition occurs to an imported protein that has folded sufficiently to recognize both FAD and its substrate.

Citric Acid Cycle↗

Activation of thiamin diphosphate and FAD in the phosphatedependent pyruvate oxidase from Lactobacillus plantarum.

The phosphate- and oxygen-dependent pyruvate oxidase from Lactobacillus plantarum is a homotetrameric enzyme that binds 1 FAD and 1 thiamine diphosphate per subunit. A kinetic analysis of the partial reactions in the overall oxidative conversion of pyruvate to acetyl phosphate and CO2 shows an indirect activation of the thiamine diphosphate by FAD that is mediated by the protein moiety. The rate constant of the initial step, the deprotonation of C2-H of thiamine diphosphate, increases 10-fold in the binary apoenzyme-thiamine diphosphate complex to 10(-2) s-1. Acceleration of this step beyond the observed overall catalytic rate constant to 20 s-1 requires enzyme-bound FAD. FAD appears to bind in a two-step mechanism. The primarily bound form allows formation of hydroxyethylthiamine diphosphate but not the transfer of electrons from this intermediate to O2. This intermediate form can be mimicked using 5-deaza-FAD, which is inactive toward O2 but active in an assay using 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol as electron acceptor. This analogue also promotes the rate constant of C2-H dissociation of thiamine diphosphate in pyruvate oxidase beyond the overall enzyme turnover. Formation of the catalytically competent FAD-thiamine-pyruvate oxidase ternary complex requires a second step, which was detected at low temperature.

Catalysis↗

Catalytic and FAD-binding residues of mitochondrial very long chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase.

Very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) is one of four flavoproteins which catalyze the initial step of the mitochondrial beta-oxidation spiral. By sequence comparison with other acyl-CoA dehydrogenases, Glu-422 of VLCAD has been presumed to be the catalytic residue that abstracts the alpha-proton in the alphabeta-dehydrogenation reaction. Replacing Glu-422 with glutamine (E422Q) caused a loss of enzyme activity by preventing the formation of a charge transfer complex between VLCAD and palmitoyl-CoA. This result provides further evidence for Glu-422 being part of the active site of VLCAD. F418L is a disease-causing mutation in human VLCAD deficiency. Unlike wild-type VLCAD, F418L and F418V contained no bound FAD when expressed at extremely high levels in the baculovirus expression system. Although F418T and F418Y bound FAD at a level similar to that of wild-type VLCAD, both showed reduced Vmax values toward palmitoyl-CoA, most likely due to a decrease in the rate of enzyme-bound FAD reduction. These data suggest that Phe-418 is involved in the binding and subsequent reduction of FAD. FAD-deficient VLCADs (F418L, F418V, and apo-VLCAD) showed increased sensitivity to trypsinization. Loss of FAD may change the folding of VLCAD subunit.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase, Long-Chain↗

The function of the [4Fe-4S] clusters and FAD in bacterial and archaeal adenylylsulfate reductases. Evidence for flavin-catalyzed reduction of adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate.

The iron-sulfur flavoenzyme adenylylsulfate (adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate, APS) reductase catalyzes reversibly the 2-electron reduction of APS to sulfite and AMP, a key step in the biological sulfur cycle. APS reductase from one archaea and three different bacteria has been purified, and the molecular and catalytic properties have been characterized. The EPR parameters and redox potentials (-60 and -520 mV versus NHE) have been assigned to the two [4Fe-4S] clusters I and II observed in the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme from Archaeoglobus fulgidus (Fritz, G., Roth, A., Schiffer, A., Büchert, T., Bourenkov, G., Bartunik, H. D., Huber, H., Stetter, K. O., Kroneck, P. M. H., and Ermler, U. (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 99, 1836-1841). Sulfite binds to FAD to form a covalent FAD N(5)-sulfite adduct with characteristic UV/visible spectra, in accordance with the three-dimensional structure of crystalline enzyme soaked with APS. UV/visible monitored titrations reveal that the substrates AMP and APS dock closely to the FAD cofactor. These results clearly document that FAD is the site of the 2-electron reduction of APS to sulfite and AMP. Reaction of APS reductase enzyme with sulfite and AMP leads to partial reduction of the [4Fe-4S] centers and formation of the anionic FAD semiquinone. Thus, both [4Fe-4S] clusters function in electron transfer and guide two single electrons from the protein surface to the FAD catalytic site.

Adenosine Phosphosulfate↗

NMR study of repair mechanism of DNA photolyase by FAD-induced paramagnetic relaxation enhancement.

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) photolyases, which contain FAD as a cofactor, use light to repair CPDs. We performed structural analyses of the catalytic site of the Thermus thermophilus CPD photolyase-DNA complex, using FAD-induced paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE). The distances between the tryptophan residues and the FAD calculated from the PRE agree well with those observed in the x-ray structure (with an error of <3 A). Subsequently, a single-stranded DNA containing 13C-labeled CPD was prepared, and the FAD-induced PRE of the NMR resonances from the CPD lesion in complex with the CPD photolyase was investigated. The distance between the FAD and the CPD calculated from the PRE is 16 +/- 3 A. The FAD-induced PRE was also observed in the CPD photolyase-double-stranded DNA complex. Based on these results, a model of the CPD photolyase-DNA complex was constructed, and the roles of Arg-201, Lys-240, Trp-247, and Trp-353 in the CPD-repair reaction are discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Similarities and differences between cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer photolyase and (6-4) photolyase as revealed by resonance Raman spectroscopy: Electron transfer from the FAD cofactor to ultraviolet-damaged DNA.

The cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) and (6-4) photoproduct, two major types of DNA damage caused by UV light, are repaired under illumination with near UV-visible light by CPD and (6-4) photolyases, respectively. To understand the mechanism of DNA repair, we examined the resonance Raman spectra of complexes between damaged DNA and the neutral semiquinoid and oxidized forms of (6-4) and CPD photolyases. The marker band for a neutral semiquinoid flavin and band I of the oxidized flavin, which are derived from the vibrations of the benzene ring of FAD, were shifted to lower frequencies upon binding of damaged DNA by CPD photolyase but not by (6-4) photolyase, indicating that CPD interacts with the benzene ring of FAD directly but that the (6-4) photoproduct does not. Bands II and VII of the oxidized flavin and the 1398/1391 cm(-1) bands of the neutral semiquinoid flavin, which may reflect the bending of U-shaped FAD, were altered upon substrate binding, suggesting that CPD and the (6-4) photoproduct interact with the adenine ring of FAD. When substrate was bound, there was an upshifted 1528 cm(-1) band of the neutral semiquinoid flavin in CPD photolyase, indicating a weakened hydrogen bond at N5-H of FAD, and band X seemed to be downshifted in (6-4) photolyase, indicating a weakened hydrogen bond at N3-H of FAD. These Raman spectra led us to conclude that the two photolyases have different electron transfer mechanisms as well as different hydrogen bonding environments, which account for the higher redox potential of CPD photolyase.

Arabidopsis↗

Diminished FAD binding in the Y459H and V492E Antley-Bixler syndrome mutants of human cytochrome P450 reductase.

Numerous mutations/polymorphisms of the POR gene, encoding NADPH:cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CYPOR), have been described in patients with Antley-Bixler syndrome (ABS), presenting with craniofacial dysmorphogenesis, and/or disordered steroidogenesis, exhibiting ambiguous genitalia. CYPOR is the obligate electron donor to 51 microsomal cytochromes P450 that catalyze critical steroidogenic and xenobiotic reactions, and to two heme oxygenase isoforms, among other redox partners. To address the molecular basis of CYPOR dysfunction in ABS patients, the soluble catalytic domain of human CYPOR was bacterially expressed. WT enzyme was green, due to air-stable FMN semiquinone (blue) and oxidized FAD (yellow). The ABS mutant V492E was blue-gray. Flavin analysis indicated that WT had a protein:FAD:FMN ratio of approximately 1:1:1, whereas approximately 1:0.1:0.9 was observed for V492E, which retained 9% of the WT k(cat)/K(m) in NADPH:cytochrome c reductase assays. V492E was reconstituted upon addition of FAD, post-purification, as shown by flavin analysis, activity assay, and near UV-visible CD. Both Y459H and V492E were expressed as membrane anchor-containing proteins, which also exhibited FAD deficiency. CYP4A4-catalyzed omega-hydroxylation of prostaglandin E1 was supported by WT CYPOR but not by either of the ABS mutants. Hydroxylation activity was rescued for both Y459H and V492E upon addition of FAD to the reaction. Based on these findings, decreased FAD-binding affinity is proposed as the basis of the observed loss of CYPOR function in the Y459H and V492E POR mutations in ABS.

Catalysis↗

A quantitative comparison of some FADS methods in renal dynamic studies using simulated and phantom data.

Simulated and phantom data were used to determine if factor analysis of dynamic structures (FADS) methods can be used quantitatively. FADS methods tested included variants of apex seeking, the intersection method, cluster analysis and spatial constraints. These were compared with a region-of-interest (ROI) approach. Simulated renal studies were prepared using from three to six homogeneous structures. These corresponded to two blood background structures; two structures (one pathological) for parenchyma; and two structures (one pathological) for the collecting system. Time-activity curves for background, parenchyma and collecting system were obtained for each method and compared with the true curve. A kidney phantom was modelled using a tunnelled vessel filled with chelating material A variable flow was controlled by a peristaltic pump representing the renal filtration of fluid. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using FADS and ROI-based methods and compared with the values measured experimentally. Most FADS methods perform well in the absence of pathology, but less well than the ROI-based method when pathology is present. Some FADS methods perform better than the ROI-based method when background estimation is a problem as in the GFR experiment. For quantitative analysis, the success of FADS depends on the validity of the underlying assumptions and on the appropriate nature of the constraints.

Computer Simulation↗

Characterization of rat monoamine oxidase A with noncovalently-bound FAD expressed in yeast cells.

The FAD-binding cysteine of rat liver monoamine oxidase A (MAO A), Cys406, was converted to an alanine by site-directed mutagenesis of the cDNA. The wild-type and mutated enzymes were expressed in yeast cells and catalytic activities were assayed, using as substrates serotonin, tyramine, and kynuramine. Specific activities of the Ala-mutant for these substrates, calculated as the activities per pargyline-sensitive molecule, were about half of those of the wild-type enzyme. The Km values of the mutant enzyme for the substrates were similar to those of the wild-type enzyme. An adduct between FAD and pargyline, a mechanism-based inhibitor, was attached to the apoprotein in the wild-type enzyme, while in the Ala-mutant it was detached from the apoprotein, thereby indicating the presence of noncovalently bound FAD in the mutant enzyme. The Ala-mutant rapidly lost activity during incubation, whereas the wild-type enzyme retained the initial activity. Partial protection from inactivation occurred in the presence of FAD, but not of FMN. Recovery of the enzyme activity was nil when FAD was added after the inactivation. Thus, while the covalent attachment of FAD in MAO A is not required for the catalytic activity, it may function as a structural core for the active conformation in the membrane.

Alanine↗