Analyses of pre-steady-state kinetics and isotope effects of the γ-elimination reaction catalyzed by Citrobacter freundii methionine γ-lyase.

Methionine γ-lyase (MGL) is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme catalyzing γ-elimination in l-methionine. Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes have unique spectral properties that allow to monitor sequential formation and decomposition of various intermediates via the detection of absorbance changes. The kinetic mechanism of the γ-elimination reaction catalyzed by Citrobacter freundii MGL was elucidated here by fast stopped-flow kinetic analysis. Single-wavelength detection of characteristic absorbance changes enabled us to compare transformations of intermediates in the course of the reaction with different substrates. The influence of various γ-substituents in the substrate on the formation of key intermediates was estimated. Kinetic isotope effects of α- and ß-protons were determined using deuterium-substituted l-methionine. Contributions of amino acid residues Tyr113 and Tyr58 located in the active site on the formation and decomposition of reaction intermediates were identified too. α-Aminocrotonate formation is the rate-limiting step of the enzymatic γ-elimination reaction. Kinetic isotope effects strongly support concerted reaction mechanisms of transformation between an external aldimine and a ketimine intermediate as well as a ketimine intermediate and an unsaturated ketimine.

Serine 51 residue of Citrobacter freundii tyrosine phenol-lyase assists in C-α-proton abstraction and transfer in the reaction with substrate.

In the spatial structure of tyrosine phenol-lyase, the Ser51 residue is located in the active site of the enzyme. The replacement of Ser51 with Ala by site-directed mutagenesis led to a decrease of the kcat/Km parameter for reactions with l-tyrosine and 3-fluoro-l-tyrosine by three orders of magnitude, compared to wild type enzyme. For the elimination reactions of S-alkylcysteines, the values of kcat/Km decreased by an average of two orders of magnitude. The results of spectral studies of the mutant enzyme gave evidence for a considerable change of the chiral properties of the active site as a result of the replacement. Fast kinetic studies for the complexes of the mutant form with competitive inhibitors allowed us to conclude that the Ser51 residue interacts with the side chain amino group of Lys257 at the stage of C-α-proton abstraction. This interaction ensures the correct orientation of the side chain of Lys257 accepting the C-α-proton of the external aldimine and stabilizes its ammonium form. Also, it is probable that Ser51 takes part in formation of a chain of hydrogen bonds which is necessary to perform the transfer of the C-α-proton to the C-4'-position of the leaving phenol group in the reaction with the natural substrate.

The role of active site tyrosine 58 in Citrobacter freundii methionine γ-lyase.

In the spatial structure of methionine γ-lyase (MGL, EC 4.4.1.11) from Citrobacter freundii, Tyr58 is located at H-bonding distance to the oxygen atom of the phosphate "handle" of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). It was replaced for phenylalanine by site-directed mutagenesis. The X-ray structure of the mutant enzyme was determined at 1.96Å resolution. Comparison of spatial structures and absorption spectra of wild-type and mutant holoenzymes demonstrated that the replacement did not result in essential changes of the conformation of the active site Tyr58Phe MGL. The Kd value of PLP for Tyr58Phe MGL proved to be comparable to the Kd value for the wild-type enzyme. The replacement led to a decrease of catalytic efficiencies in both γ- and ß-elimination reactions of about two orders of magnitude as compared to those for the wild-type enzyme. The rates of exchange of C-α- and C-ß- protons of inhibitors in D2O catalyzed by the mutant form are comparable with those for the wild-type enzyme. Spectral data on the complexes of the mutant form with the substrates and inhibitors showed that the replacement led to a change of rate the limiting step of the physiological reaction. The results allowed us to conclude that Tyr58 is involved in an optimal positioning of the active site Lys210 at some stages of γ- and ß-elimination reactions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cofactor-dependent proteins: evolution, chemical diversity and bio-applications.

Pre-steady-state kinetic and structural analysis of interaction of methionine γ-lyase from Citrobacter freundii with inhibitors.

Methionine γ-lyase (MGL) catalyzes the γ-elimination of l-methionine and its derivatives as well as the ß-elimination of l-cysteine and its analogs. These reactions yield α-keto acids and thiols. The mechanism of chemical conversion of amino acids includes numerous reaction intermediates. The detailed analysis of MGL interaction with glycine, l-alanine, l-norvaline, and l-cycloserine was performed by pre-steady-state stopped-flow kinetics. The structure of side chains of the amino acids is important both for their binding with enzyme and for the stability of the external aldimine and ketimine intermediates. X-ray structure of the MGL·l-cycloserine complex has been solved at 1.6 Å resolution. The structure models the ketimine intermediate of physiological reaction. The results elucidate the mechanisms of the intermediate interconversion at the stages of external aldimine and ketimine formation.

A straightforward kinetic evidence for coexistence of "induced fit" and "selected fit" in the reaction mechanism of a mutant tryptophan indole lyase Y72F from Proteus vulgaris.

The interaction of the mutant tryptophan indole-lyase (TIL) from Proteus vulgaris Y72F with the transition state analogue, oxindolyl-l-alanine (OIA), with the natural substrate, l-tryptophan, and with a substrate S-ethyl-l-cysteine was examined. In the case of wild-type enzyme these reactions are described by the same kinetic scheme where binding of holoenzyme with an amino acid, leading to reversible formation of an external aldimine, proceeds very fast, while following transformations, leading finally to reversible formation of a quinonoid intermediate proceed with measureable rates. Principally the same scheme ("induced fit") is realized in the case of mutant Y72F enzyme reaction with OIA. For the reaction of mutant enzyme with l-Trp at lower concentrations of the latter a principally different kinetic scheme is observed. This scheme suggests that binding of the substrate and formation of the quinonoid intermediate are at fast equilibrium, while preceding conformational changes of the holoenzyme proceed with measureable rates ("selected fit"). For the reaction with S-ethyl-l-cysteine the observed concentration dependence of kobs agrees with the realization of both kinetic schemes, the "selected fit" becoming predominant at lower concentrations of substrate, the "induced fit"- at higher ones. In the reaction with S-ethyl-l-cysteine the formation of the quinonoid intermediate proceeds slower than does catalytic α,ß-elimination of ethylthiol from S-ethyl-l-cysteine, and consequently does not play a considerable role in the catalysis, which may be effected by a concerted E2 mechanism.

The role of substrate strain in the mechanism of the carbon-carbon lyases.

The carbon-carbon lyases, tryptophan indole lyase (TIL) and tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL) are bacterial enzymes which catalyze the reversible elimination of indole and phenol from l-tryptophan and l-tyrosine, respectively. These PLP-dependent enzymes show high sequence homology (∼40% identity) and both form homotetrameric structures. Steady state kinetic studies with both enzymes show that an active site base is essential for activity, and α-deuterated substrates exhibit modest primary isotope effects on kcat and kcat/Km, suggesting that substrate deprotonation is partially rate-limiting. Pre-steady state kinetics with TPL and TIL show rapid formation of external aldimine intermediates, followed by deprotonation to give quinonoid intermediates absorbing at about 500nm. In the presence of phenol and indole analogues, 4-hydroxypyridine and benzimidazole, the quinonoid intermediates of TPL and TIL decay to aminoacrylate intermediates, with λmax at about 340nm. Surprisingly, there are significant kinetic isotope effects on both formation and subsequent decay of the quinonoid intermediates when α-deuterated substrates are used. The crystal structure of TPL with a bound competitive inhibitor, 4-hydroxyphenylpropionate, identified several essential catalytic residues: Tyr-71, Thr-124, Arg-381, and Phe-448. The active sites of TIL and TPL are highly conserved with the exceptions of these residues: Arg-381(TPL)/Ile-396 (TIL); Thr-124 (TPL)/Asp-137 (TIL), and Phe-448 (TPL)/His-463 (TIL). Mutagenesis of these residues results in dramatic decreases in catalytic activity without changing substrate specificity. The conserved tyrosine, Tyr-71 (TPL)/Tyr-74 (TIL) is essential for elimination activity with both enzymes, and likely plays a role as a proton donor to the leaving group. Mutation of Arg-381 and Thr-124 of TPL to alanine results in very low but measurable catalytic activity. Crystallography of Y71F and F448H TPL with 3-fluoro-l-tyrosine bound demonstrated that there are two quinonoid structures, relaxed and tense. In the relaxed structure, the substrate aromatic ring is in plane with the Cß-Cγ bond, but in the tense structure, the substrate aromatic ring is about 20° out of plane with the Cß-Cγ bond. In the tense structure, hydrogen bonds are formed between the substrate OH and the guanidinium of Arg-381 and the OH of Thr-124, and the phenyl rings of Phe-448 and 449 provide steric strain. Based on the effects of mutagenesis, the substrate strain is estimated to contribute about 10(8) to TPL catalysis. Thus, the mechanisms of TPL and TIL require both substrate strain and acid/base catalysis, and substrate strain is probably responsible for the very high substrate specificity of TPL and TIL.

Crystal structure of the external aldimine of Citrobacter freundii methionine γ-lyase with glycine provides insight in mechanisms of two stages of physiological reaction and isotope exchange of α- and ß-protons of competitive inhibitors.

The three-dimensional structure of the external aldimine of Citrobacter freundii methionine γ-lyase with competitive inhibitor glycine has been determined at 2.45 Å resolution. It revealed subtle conformational changes providing effective binding of the inhibitor and facilitating labilization of Cα-protons of the external aldimine. The structure shows that 1, 3-prototropic shift of Cα-proton to C4'-atom of the cofactor may proceed with participation of active site Lys210 residue whose location is favorable for performing this transformation by a concerted mechanism. The observed stereoselectivity of isotopic exchange of enantiotopic Cα-protons of glycine may be explained on the basis of external aldimine structure. The exchange of Cα-pro-(R)-proton of the external aldimine might proceed in the course of the concerted transfer of the proton from Cα-atom of glycine to C4'-atom of the cofactor. The exchange of Cα-pro-(S)-proton may be performed with participation of Tyr113 residue which should be present in its basic form. The isotopic exchange of ß-protons, which is observed for amino acids bearing longer side groups, may be effected by two catalytic groups: Lys210 in its basic form, and Tyr113 acting as a general acid.

Crystallographic snapshots of tyrosine phenol-lyase show that substrate strain plays a role in C-C bond cleavage.

The key step in the enzymatic reaction catalyzed by tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL) is reversible cleavage of the Cß-Cγ bond of L-tyrosine. Here, we present X-ray structures for two enzymatic states that form just before and after the cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond. As for most other pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes, the first state, a quinonoid intermediate, is central for the catalysis. We captured this relatively unstable intermediate in the crystalline state by introducing substitutions Y71F or F448H in Citrobacter freundii TPL and briefly soaking crystals of the mutant enzymes with a substrate 3-fluoro-L-tyrosine followed by flash-cooling. The X-ray structures, determined at ~2.0 Å resolution, reveal two quinonoid geometries: "relaxed" in the open and "tense" in the closed state of the active site. The "tense" state is characterized by changes in enzyme contacts made with the substrate's phenolic moiety, which result in significantly strained conformation at Cß and Cγ positions. We also captured, at 2.25 Å resolution, the X-ray structure for the state just after the substrate's Cß-Cγ bond cleavage by preparing the ternary complex between TPL, alanine quinonoid and pyridine N-oxide, which mimics the α-aminoacrylate intermediate with bound phenol. In this state, the enzyme-ligand contacts remain almost exactly the same as in the "tense" quinonoid, indicating that the strain induced by the closure of the active site facilitates elimination of phenol. Taken together, structural observations demonstrate that the enzyme serves not only to stabilize the transition state but also to destabilize the ground state.

Stereospecificity of isotopic exchange of C-α-protons of glycine catalyzed by three PLP-dependent lyases: the unusual case of tyrosine phenol-lyase.

A comparative study of the kinetics and stereospecificity of isotopic exchange of the pro-2R- and pro-2S protons of glycine in (2)H(2)O under the action of tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL), tryptophan indole-lyase (TIL) and methionine γ-lyase (MGL) was undertaken. The kinetics of exchange was monitored using both (1)H- and (13)C-NMR. In the three compared lyases the stereospecificities of the main reactions with natural substrates dictate orthogonal orientation of the pro-2R proton of glycine with respect to the cofactor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) plane. Consequently, according to Dunathan's postulate with all the three enzymes pro-2R proton should exchange faster than does the pro-2S one. In fact the found ratios of 2R:2S reactivities are 1:20 for TPL, 108:1 for TIL, and 1,440:1 for MGL. Thus, TPL displays an unprecedented inversion of stereospecificity. A probable mechanism of the observed phenomenon is suggested, which is based on the X-ray data for the quinonoid intermediate, formed in the reaction of TPL with L-alanine. The mechanism implies different conformational changes in the active site upon binding of glycine and alanine. These changes can lead to relative stabilization of either the neutral amino group, accepting the α-proton, or the respective ammonium group, which is formed after the proton abstraction.

Methionine gamma-lyase: mechanistic deductions from the kinetic pH-effects. The role of the ionic state of a substrate in the enzymatic activity.

We have studied and compared the pH-dependencies of the main kinetic parameters for the alpha,gamma-elimination reactions of methionine gamma-lyase (MGL) of Citrobacter intermedius with natural substrate, l-methionine, with its phosphinic analogue, and for alpha,beta-elimination reaction with S-methyl-l-cysteine. From the pH-dependency of k(cat)/K(m) for the reaction with l-methionine we have concluded that MGL is selective with respect to the zwitterionic form of its natural substrate. For the reaction of MGL with 1-amino-3-methylthiopropylphosphinic acid the pK(a) of the substrate's amino group, equal to 7.55, is not reflected in the pH-profile of k(cat)/K(m). Consequently, the enzyme does not manifest well-defined selectivity with respect to the zwitterion and anion ionic forms of the substrate. The ascending limbs of pH-dependencies of k(cat)/K(m) for reactions with l-methionine and S-methyl-l-cysteine are controlled by a single pK(a) equal to 7.1-7.2, while for the reaction with 1-amino-3-methylthiopropylphosphinic acid two equal pK(a)s of 6.2 were found in the respective pH-profile. The descending limbs of pH-dependencies of k(cat)/K(m) for the reactions with S-methyl-l-cysteine and racemic 1-amino-3-methylthiopropylphosphinic acid are very similar and are controlled by two acidic groups having average pK(a) values of 8.7. On the basis of these results we suggest a mechanism of catalytic action of MGL. According to this mechanism Tyr 113, in its conjugated base form, acts as an acceptor of the proton from the amino group of the substrate upon its binding in the active site. Elimination of the leaving thiol groups during both alpha,gamma- and alpha,beta-elimination reactions is assisted by the acidic groups of Tyr 113 and Tyr 58. Both tyrosyl residues are able to fulfill this catalytic function with different efficiencies depending on the type of elimination reaction. Tyr 113 residue plays the determining role in the alpha,gamma-elimination, and Tyr 58 - in the alpha,beta-elimination process.

Insights into the catalytic mechanism of tyrosine phenol-lyase from X-ray structures of quinonoid intermediates.

Amino acid transformations catalyzed by a number of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes involve abstraction of the Calpha proton from an external aldimine formed between a substrate and the cofactor leading to the formation of a quinonoid intermediate. Despite the key role played by the quinonoid intermediates in the catalysis by PLP-dependent enzymes, limited accurate information is available about their structures. We trapped the quinonoid intermediates of Citrobacter freundii tyrosine phenol-lyase with L-alanine and L-methionine in the crystalline state and determined their structures at 1.9- and 1.95-A resolution, respectively, by cryo-crystallography. The data reveal a network of protein-PLP-substrate interactions that stabilize the planar geometry of the quinonoid intermediate. In both structures the protein subunits are found in two conformations, open and closed, uncovering the mechanism by which binding of the substrate and restructuring of the active site during its closure protect the quinonoid intermediate from the solvent and bring catalytically important residues into positions suitable for the abstraction of phenol during the beta-elimination of L-tyrosine. In addition, the structural data indicate a mechanism for alanine racemization involving two bases, Lys-257 and a water molecule. These two bases are connected by a hydrogen bonding system allowing internal transfer of the Calpha proton.

Aminoacrylate intermediates in the reaction of Citrobacter freundii tyrosine phenol-lyase.

Tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL) from Citrobacter freundii is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reversible hydrolytic cleavage of l-Tyr to give phenol and ammonium pyruvate. The proposed reaction mechanism for TPL involves formation of an external aldimine of the substrate, followed by deprotonation of the alpha-carbon to give a quinonoid intermediate. Elimination of phenol then has been proposed to give an alpha-aminoacrylate Schiff base, which releases iminopyruvate that ultimately undergoes hydrolysis to yield ammonium pyruvate. Previous stopped-flow kinetic experiments have provided direct spectroscopic evidence for the formation of the external aldimine and quinonoid intermediates in the reactions of substrates and inhibitors; however, the predicted alpha-aminoacrylate intermediate has not been previously observed. We have found that 4-hydroxypyridine, a non-nucleophilic analogue of phenol, selectively binds and stabilizes aminoacrylate intermediates in reactions of TPL with S-alkyl-l-cysteines, l-tyrosine, and 3-fluoro-l-tyrosine. In the presence of 4-hydroxypyridine, a new absorption band at 338 nm, assigned to the alpha-aminoacrylate, is observed with these substrates. Formation of the 338 nm peaks is concomitant with the decay of the quinonoid intermediates, with good isosbestic points at approximately 365 nm. The value of the rate constant for aminoacrylate formation is similar to k(cat), suggesting that leaving group elimination is at least partially rate limiting in TPL reactions. In the reaction of S-ethyl-l-cysteine in the presence of 4-hydroxypyridine, a subsequent slow reaction of the alpha-aminoacrylate is observed, which may be due to iminopyruvate formation. Both l-tyrosine and 3-fluoro-l-tyrosine exhibit kinetic isotope effects of approximately 2-3 on alpha-aminoacrylate formation when the alpha-(2)H-labeled substrates are used, consistent with the previously reported internal return of the alpha-proton to the phenol product. These results are the first direct spectroscopic observation of alpha-aminoacrylate intermediates in the reactions of TPL.

Tryptophanase from Proteus vulgaris: the conformational rearrangement in the active site, induced by the mutation of Tyrosine 72 to phenylalanine, and its mechanistic consequences.

Tyr72 is located at the active site of tryptophanase (Trpase) from Proteus vulgaris. For the wild-type Trpase Tyr72 might be considered as the general acid catalyst at the stage of elimination of the leaving groups. The replacement of Tyr72 by Phe leads to a decrease in activity for L-tryptophan by 50,000-fold and to a considerable rearrangement of the active site of Trpase. This rearrangement leads to an increase of room around the alpha-C atom of any bound amino acid, such that covalent binding of alpha-methyl-substituted amino acids becomes possible (which cannot be realized in wild-type Trpase). The changes in reactivities of S-alkyl-L-cysteines provide evidence for an increase of congestion in the proximity of their side groups in the mutant enzyme as compared to wild-type enzyme. The observed alteration of catalytic properties in a large degree originates from a conformational change in the active site. The Y72F Trpase retains significant activity for L-serine, which allowed us to conclude that in the mutant enzyme, some functional group is present which fulfills the role of the general acid catalyst in reactions associated with elimination of small leaving groups.

A gene encoding L-methionine gamma-lyase is present in Enterobacteriaceae family genomes: identification and characterization of Citrobacter freundii L-methionine gamma-lyase.

Citrobacter freundii cells produce L-methionine gamma-lyase when grown on a medium containing L-methionine. The nucleotide sequence of the hybrid plasmid with a C. freundii EcoRI insert of about 3.0 kbp contained two open reading frames, consisting of 1,194 nucleotides and 1,296 nucleotides, respectively. The first one (denoted megL) encoded L-methionine gamma-lyase. The enzyme was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified. The second frame encoded a protein belonging to the family of permeases. Regions of high sequence identity with the 3'-terminal part of the C. freundii megL gene located in the same regions of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Shigella flexneri, E. coli, and Citrobacter rodentium genomes were found.

The mechanism of alpha-proton isotope exchange in amino acids catalysed by tyrosine phenol-lyase. What is the role of quinonoid intermediates?

To shed light on the mechanism of isotopic exchange of alpha-protons in amino acids catalyzed by pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes, we studied the kinetics of quinonoid intermediate formation for the reactions of tyrosine phenol-lyase with L-phenylalanine, L-methionine, and their alpha-deuterated analogues in D2O, and we compared the results with the rates of the isotopic exchange under the same conditions. We have found that, in the L-phenylalanine reaction, the internal return of the alpha-proton is operative, and allowing for its effect, the exchange rate is accounted for satisfactorily. Surprisingly, for the reaction with L-methionine, the enzymatic isotope exchange went much faster than might be predicted from the kinetic data for quinonoid intermediate formation. This result allows us to suggest the existence of an alternative, possibly concerted, mechanism of alpha-proton exchange.

Role of aspartate-133 and histidine-458 in the mechanism of tryptophan indole-lyase from Proteus vulgaris.

Tryptophan indole-lyase (Trpase) from Proteus vulgaris is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reversible hydrolytic cleavage of L-Trp to yield indole and ammonium pyruvate. Asp-133 and His-458 are strictly conserved in all sequences of Trpase, and they are located in the proposed substrate-binding region of Trpase. These residues were mutated to alanine to probe their role in substrate binding and catalysis. D133A mutant Trpase has no measurable activity with L-Trp as substrate, but still retains activity with S-(o-nitrophenyl)-L-cysteine, S-alkyl-L-cysteines, and beta-chloro-L-alanine. H458A mutant Trpase has 1.6% of wild-type Trpase activity with L-Trp, and high activity with S-(o-nitrophenyl)-L-cysteine, S-alkyl-L-cysteines, and beta-chloro-L-alanine. H458A mutant Trpase does not exhibit the pK(a) of 5.3 seen in the pH dependence of k(cat)/K(m) of L-Trp for wild-type Trpase. Both mutant enzymes are inhibited by L-Ala, L-Met, and L-Phe, with K(i) values similar to those of wild-type Trpase, but oxindolyl-L-alanine and beta-phenyl-DL-serine show much weaker binding to the mutant enzymes, suggesting that Asp-133 and His-458 are involved in the binding of these ligands. D133A and H458A mutant Trpase exhibit absorption and CD spectra in the presence of substrates and inhibitors that are similar to wild-type Trpase, with peaks at about 420 and 500 nm. The rate constants for formation of the 500 nm bands for the mutant enzymes are equal to or greater than those of wild-type Trpase, indicating that Asp-133 and His-458 do not play a role in the formation of quinonoid intermediates. In constrast to wild-type and H458A mutant Trpase, D133A mutant Trpase forms an intermediate from S-ethyl-L-Cys that absorbs at 345 nm, and is likely to be an alpha-aminoacrylate. Crystals of D133A and H458A mutant Trpase bind amino acids with similar affinity as the proteins in solution, except for L-Ala, which binds to D133A mutant Trpase crystals about 20-fold stronger than in solution. These results suggest that Asp-133 and His-458 play an important role in the elimination reaction of L-Trp. Asp-133 likely forms a hydrogen bond directly to the indole NH of the substrate, while His-458 probably is hydrogen bonded to Asp-133.

Structure and mechanism of tryptophan indole-lyase and tyrosine phenol-lyase.

Tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL) and tryptophan indole-lyase (Trpase) catalyse the reversible hydrolytic cleavage of L-tyrosine or L-tryptophan to phenol or indole, respectively, and ammonium pyruvate. These enzymes are very similar in sequence and structure, but show strict specificity for their respective physiological substrates. We have mutated the active site residues of TPL (Thr(124), Arg(381), and Phe(448)) to those of Trpase and evaluated the effects of the mutations. Tyr(71) in Citrobacter freundii TPL, and Tyr(74) in E. coli Trpase, are essential for activity with both substrates. Mutation of Arg(381) of TPL to Ala, Ile, or Val (the corresponding residues in the active site of Trpase) results in a dramatic decrease in L-Tyr beta-elimination activity, with little effect on the activity of other substrates. Arg(381) may be the catalytic base with pK(a) of 8 seen in pH-dependent kinetic studies. T124D TPL has no measureable activity with L-Tyr or 3-F-L-Tyr as substrate, despite having high activity with SOPC. T124A TPL has very low but detectable activity, which is about 500-fold less than wild-type TPL, with L-Tyr and 3-F-L-Tyr. F448H TPL also has very low activity with L-Tyr. None of the mutant TPLs has any detectable activity with L-Trp as substrate. H463F Trpase also exhibits low activity with L-Trp, but retains high activity with other substrates. Thus, additional residues remote from the active site may be needed for substrate specificity. Both Trpase and TPL may react by a rare S(E)2-type mechanism.

The role of acidic dissociation of substrate's phenol group in the mechanism of tyrosine phenol-lyase.

pH dependencies of the main kinetic parameters for the reaction of tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL) with L-tyrosine were studied earlier at pH from 6.0 to 9.5. At this range, L-tyrosine, whose pK(a) for the phenol hydroxyl is 10.5, exists as the zwitterion. It was concluded that zwitterion is the only "active" form for any tyrosine-like substrate. In the present work, we examined pH dependencies for 2-fluorotyrosine, 3-fluorotyrosine, 3,5-difluorotyrosine, 2,5-difluorotyrosine, 2,6-difluorotyrosine, and 3-chlorotyrosine which are more acidic than tyrosine. Respective pK(a)'s are 9.2, 8.7, 7.3, 7.9, 8,35, and 8.3. At higher pH, most of these substrates exist predominantly as anions, having two negative charges at the carboxylic and phenol groups, and one positive charge at the amino group. No decrease of k(cat)/K(m) values attributable to acidic dissociation of the phenol group was found. From comparison of theoretical curves with the experimental data, we conclude that most likely, both zwitterion and anion forms of 3-fluorotyrosine, 3,5-difluorotyrosine, 2,5-difluorotyrosine, 2,6-difluorotyrosine, and 3-chlorotyrosine may be bound and subsequently catalytically transformed by TPL. The reactivities of the two forms are quite comparable. The roles of catalytic groups in the active site, especially Arg381 and Thr-124, are discussed.

Threonine-124 and phenylalanine-448 in Citrobacter freundii tyrosine phenol-lyase are necessary for activity with L-tyrosine.

Thr-124 and Phe-448 are located in the active site of Citrobacter freundii tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL) near the phenol ring of a bound substrate analogue, 3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid [Sundararaju, Antson, Phillips, Demidkina, Barbolina, Gollnick, Dodson and Wilson (1997) Biochemistry 36, 6502-6510]. Thr-124 is replaced by Asp and Phe-448 is replaced by His in the crystal structure of a structurally similar enzyme, Proteus vulgaris tryptophan indole-lyase, which has 50% identical residues. Hence, Thr-124 and Phe-448 in TPL were mutated to Ala or Asp, and His, respectively, in order to probe the role of these residues in the reaction specificity for L-Tyr. These mutant enzymes have little or no beta-elimination activity with L-Tyr or 3-fluoro-L-Tyr as a substrate, but retain significant elimination activity with S-(o-nitrophenyl)-L-cysteine, S-alkyl-L-cysteines and beta-chloroalanine. Furthermore, the binding of L-Tyr and other non-substrate amino acids is not significantly affected by the mutations. The mutant TPLs form intermediates in rapid-scanning stopped-flow experiments with L-Phe, L-Tyr and L-Trp, similar to those seen with wild-type TPL. These results demonstrate that Thr-124 and Phe-448 are necessary for the reaction specificity of TPL for L-Tyr, and probably play a role in the elimination stage of the reaction mechanism. Thr-124 is within hydrogen-bonding distance of the phenolic group of the bound substrate, and may help to orientate the ring for beta-elimination to occur. Phe-448 may be important to allow the formation of the closed conformation during the reaction.