Crystal structures of lysine-preferred racemases, the non-antibiotic selectable markers for transgenic plants.

Lysine racemase, a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent amino acid racemase that catalyzes the interconversion of lysine enantiomers, is valuable to serve as a novel non-antibiotic selectable marker in the generation of transgenic plants. Here, we have determined the first crystal structure of a lysine racemase (Lyr) from Proteus mirabilis BCRC10725, which shows the highest activity toward lysine and weaker activity towards arginine. In addition, we establish the first broad-specificity amino acid racemase (Bar) structure from Pseudomonas putida DSM84, which presents not only the highest activity toward lysine but also remarkably broad substrate specificity. A complex structure of Bar-lysine is also established here. These structures demonstrate the similar fold of alanine racemase, which is a head-to-tail homodimer with each protomer containing an N-terminal (α/ß)(8) barrel and a C-terminal ß-stranded domain. The active-site residues are located at the protomer interface that is a funnel-like cavity with two catalytic bases, one from each protomer, and the PLP binding site is at the bottom of this cavity. Structural comparisons, site-directed mutagenesis, kinetic, and modeling studies identify a conserved arginine and an adjacent conserved asparagine that fix the orientation of the PLP O3 atom in both structures and assist in the enzyme activity. Furthermore, side chains of two residues in α-helix 10 have been discovered to point toward the cavity and define the substrate specificity. Our results provide a structural foundation for the design of racemases with pre-determined substrate specificity and for the development of the non-antibiotic selection system in transgenic plants.

Characterization and identification of essential residues of the glycoside hydrolase family 64 laminaripentaose-producing-ß-1, 3-glucanase.

Laminaripentaose-producing ß-1,3-glucanase (LPHase) from Streptomyces matensis DIC-108 uniquely catalyzes the hydrolysis of ß-1,3-glucan to release laminaripentaose as the predominant product. For studying this novel enzyme, the gene of LPHase was reconstructed with polymerase chain reaction and over-expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant wild-type enzyme and various mutants were further purified to >90% homogeneity on an ion-exchange chromatograph. The catalysis of the recombinant LPHase is confirmed to follow a one-step single-displacement mechanism with (1)H-NMR spectrometry. To determine the amino-acid residues essential for the catalysis, more than ten residues, including five highly conserved residues--Asp(143), Glu(154), Asp(170), Asp(376) and Asp(377), were mutated. Among the mutants, E154Q, E154G, D174N and D174G significantly lost catalytic activity. Further investigation with chemical rescue using sodium azide on E154G and D174G confirmed that Glu(154) functions as the general acid whereas Asp(170) serves as the general base in a catalytic turnover. This work is the first report that provides direct information for the identification of the essential residues of GH-64 through kinetic examination.

Structure, mechanistic action, and essential residues of a GH-64 enzyme, laminaripentaose-producing beta-1,3-glucanase.

Laminaripentaose-producing beta-1,3-glucanase (LPHase), a member of glycoside hydrolase family 64, cleaves a long-chain polysaccharide beta-1,3-glucan into specific pentasaccharide oligomers. The crystal structure of LPHase from Streptomyces matensis DIC-108 was solved to 1.62 A resolution using multiple-wavelength anomalous dispersion methods. The LPHase structure reveals a novel crescent-like fold; it consists of a barrel domain and a mixed (alpha/beta) domain, forming a wide-open groove between the two domains. The liganded crystal structure was also solved to 1.80 A, showing limited conformational changes. Within the wide groove, a laminaritetraose molecule is found to sit in an electronegatively charged central region and is proximal to several conserved residues including two carboxylates (Glu(154) and Asp(170)) and four other sugar-binding residues (Thr(156), Asn(158), Trp(163), and Thr(167)). Molecular modeling using a laminarihexaose as a substrate suggests roles for Glu(154) and Asp(170) as acid and base catalysts, respectively, whereas the side chains of Thr(156), Asn(158), and Trp(163) demarcate subsite +5. Site-directed mutagenesis of Glu(154) and Asp(170) confirms that both carboxylates are essential for catalysis. Together, our results suggest that LPHase uses a direct displacement mechanism involving Glu(154) and Asp(170) to cleave a beta-1,3-glucan into specific alpha-pentasaccharide oligomers.

The central cavity from the (alpha/alpha)6 barrel structure of Anabaena sp. CH1 N-acetyl-D-glucosamine 2-epimerase contains two key histidine residues for reversible conversion.

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine 2-epimerase (GlcNAc 2-epimerase) catalyzes the reversible epimerization between N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and N-acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc). We report here the 2.0 A resolution crystal structure of the GlcNAc 2-epimerase from Anabaena sp. CH1. The structure demonstrates an (alpha/alpha)(6) barrel fold, which shows structural homology with porcine GlcNAc 2-epimerase as well as a number of glycoside hydrolase enzymes and other sugar-metabolizing enzymes. One side of the barrel structure consists of short loops involved in dimer interactions. The other side of the barrel structure is comprised of long loops containing six short beta-sheets, which enclose a putative central active-site pocket. Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved residues near the N-terminal region of the inner alpha helices shows that R57, H239, E308, and H372 are strictly required for activity. E242 and R375 are also essential in catalysis. Based on the structure and kinetic analysis, H239 and H372 may serve as the key active site acid/base catalysts. These results suggest that the (alpha/alpha)(6) barrel represents a steady fold for presenting active-site residues in a cleft at the N-terminal ends of the inner alpha helices, thus forming a fine-tuned catalytic site in GlcNAc 2-epimerase.