Structural and spectroscopic models of the A-cluster of acetyl coenzyme a synthase/carbon monoxide dehydrogenase: Nature's Monsanto acetic acid catalyst

Acetyl coenzyme A synthase/carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (ACS/CODH) is a bifunctional enzyme present in a number of anaerobic bacteria. The enzyme catalyzes two separate reactions namely, the reduction of atmospheric CO₂ to CO (CODH activity at the C-cluster) and the synthesis of acetyl coenzyme A (ACS activity at the A-cluster) from CO, CH₃ from a corrinoid iron-sulfur protein, and the thiol coenzyme A. The structure(s) of the A-cluster of ACS/CODH from Moorella thermoacetica revealed an unprecedented structure with three different metallic subunits linked to each other through bridging Cys-S residues comprising the active site. In these structure(s) a Fe₄S₄ cubane is bridged via Cys-S to a bimetallic metal cluster. This bimetallic cluster contains a four-coordinate Ni, Cu, or Zn as the proximal metal (to the Fe₄S₄ cluster; designated M_p), which in turn is bridged through two Cys-S residues to a terminal square planar Ni(II) (Ni_d, distal to Fe₄S₄) ligated by two deprotonated carboxamido nitrogens from the peptide backbone. It is now established that Ni is required at the M_p site for the ACS activity. Over the past several years modeling efforts by several groups have provided clues towards understanding the intrinsic properties of the unique site in ACS. To date most studies have focused on dinuclear compounds that model the M_p-Ni_d subsite. Synthesis of such models have revealed that the Ni_p sites (a) are readily removed when mixed with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and (b) can be reduced to the Ni(I) and/or Ni(0) oxidation state (deduced by EPR or electrochemical studies) and bind CO in terminal fashion with ν_co value similar to the enzyme. In contrast, the presence of Cu(I) centers at these M_p sites do not bind CO and are not removable with phen supporting a non-catalytic role for Cu(I) at the M_p site in the enzyme. The Ni_d site (coordinated by carboxamido-N/thiolato-S) in these models are very stable in the +2 oxidation state and not readily removed upon treatment with phen suggesting that the source of ‘labile Ni’ and the NiFeC signal arises from the presence of Ni at the M_p site in ACS. This review includes the results and implications of the modeling studies reported so far.     

Chemically distinct Ni sites in the A-cluster in subunit beta of the acetyl-CoA decarbonylase/synthase complex from Methanosarcina thermophila: Ni L-edge absorption and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism analyses

The 5-subunit-containing acetyl-CoA decarbonylase/synthase (ACDS) complex plays an important role in methanogenic Archaea that convert acetate to methane, by catalyzing the central reaction of acetate C-C bond cleavage in which acetyl-CoA serves as the acetyl donor substrate reacting at the ACDS beta subunit active site. The properties of Ni in the active site A-cluster in the ACDS beta subunit from Methanosarcina thermophila were investigated. A recombinant, C-terminally truncated form of the beta subunit was employed, which mimics the native subunit previously isolated from the ACDS complex, and contains an A-cluster composed of an [Fe(4)S(4)] center bridged to a binuclear Ni-Ni site. The electronic structures of these two Ni were studied using L-edge absorption and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy. The L-edge absorption data provided evidence for two distinct Ni species in the as-isolated enzyme, one with low-spin Ni(II) and the other with high-spin Ni(II). XMCD spectroscopy confirmed that the species producing the high-spin signal was paramagnetic. Upon treatment with Ti(3+) citrate, an additional Ni species emerged, which was assigned to Ni(I). By contrast, CO treatment of the reduced enzyme converted nearly all of the Ni in the sample to low-spin Ni(II). The results implicate reaction of a high-spin tetrahedral Ni site with CO to form an enzyme-CO adduct transformed to a low-spin Ni(II) state. These findings are discussed in relation to the mechanism of C-C bond activation, in connection with the model of the beta subunit A-cluster developed from companion Ni and Fe K edge, XANES, and EXAFS studies.     

Structures and energetics of models for the active site of acetyl-coenzyme a synthase: role of distal and proximal metals in catalysis

Acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthase/carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (ACS/CODH) is a bifunctional enzyme that generates CO from carbon dioxide in the C-cluster of the beta subunit and synthesizes acetyl-CoA from carbon monoxide (CO), CoA, and CH3+ at the active site of the A-cluster in the alpha subunit. On the basis of density functional calculations, we predict that methylation of Nip occurs first, and CO then adds to the NipII-CH3 species to form the intermediate, NipII(CO)(CH3), in which Nip deligates one of its SNid bonds. The CO-insertion/CH3-migration occurs on one metal, the proximal Ni, forming the trigonal planar NipII-acetyl intermediate. The thiolate can bind to NipII and reductively eliminate the thioester. Our calculations disfavor the unprecedented bimetallic CO-insertion/CH3-migration. Ni in the proximal site produces a better catalyst than does Cu.     

Carbon monoxide induced decomposition of the active site [Ni-4Fe-5S] cluster of CO dehydrogenase

During the past two years, crystal structures of Cu- and Mo-containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenases (CODHs) and Ni- and Fe-containing CODHs have been reported. The active site of CODHs from anaerobic bacteria (cluster C) is composed of Ni, Fe, and S for which crystallographic studies of the enzymes from Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans, Rhodospirillum rubrum, and Moorella thermoaceticarevealed structural similarities in the overall protein fold but showed substantial differences in the essential Ni coordination environment. The [Ni-4Fe-5S] cluster C in the fully catalytically competent dithionite-reduced CODH II from C. hydrogenoformans (CODHII(Ch)) at 1.6 A resolution contains a characteristic mu(2)-sulfido ligand between Ni and Fe1, resulting in a square-planar ligand arrangement with four S-ligands at the Ni ion. In contrast, the [Ni-4Fe-4S] clusters C in CO-treated CODH from R. rubrum resolved at 2.8 A and in CO-treated acetyl-CoA synthase/CODH complex from M. thermoacetica at 2.2 and 1.9 A resolution, respectively, do not contain the mu(2)-sulfido ligand between Ni and Fe1 and display dissimilar geometries at the Ni ion. The [Ni-4Fe-4S] cluster is composed of a cubane [Ni-3Fe-4S] cluster linked to a mononuclear Fe site. The described coordination geometries of the Ni ion in the [Ni-4Fe-4S] cluster of R. rubrum and M. thermoacetica deviate from the square-planar ligand geometry in the [Ni-4Fe-5S] cluster C of CODHII(Ch). In addition, the latter was converted into a [Ni-4Fe-4S] cluster under specific conditions. The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between the structure of cluster C in CODHII(Ch) and the functionality of the protein. We have determined the CO oxidation activity of CODHII(Ch) under different conditions of crystallization, prepared crystals of the enzyme in the presence of dithiothreitol or dithionite as reducing agents under an atmosphere of N(2) or CO, and solved the corresponding structures at 1.1 to 1.6 A resolutions. Fully active CODHII(Ch) obtained after incubation of the enzyme with dithionite under N(2) revealed the [Ni-4Fe-5S] cluster. Short treatment of the enzyme with CO in the presence of dithiothreitol resulted in a catalytically competent CODHII(Ch) with a CO-reduced [Ni-4Fe-5S] cluster, but a prolonged treatment with CO caused the loss of CO-oxidizing activity and revealed a [Ni-4Fe-4S] cluster, which did not contain a mu(2)-S. These data suggest that the [Ni-4Fe-4S] cluster of CODHII(Ch) is an inactivated decomposition product originating from the [Ni-4Fe-5S] cluster.     

Structural models of the bimetallic subunit at the A-cluster of acetyl coenzyme a synthase/CO dehydrogenase: binuclear sulfur-bridged Ni-Cu and Ni-Ni complexes and their reactions with CO

The Ni(II)-dicarboxamido-dithiolato complexes (Et4N)2[Ni(NpPepS)] (1) and (Et4N)2[Ni(PhPepS)] (2) were used as Nid metallosynthons in the construction of higher nuclearity dinuclear Ni-Cu and Ni-Ni species to model the bimetallic Mp-Nid site of the A-cluster of acetyl coenzyme A synthase/CO dehydrogenase (ACS/CODH). Reaction of 1 with [Cu(neo)Cl] and [Ni(terpy)Cl2] in MeCN affords the dinuclear complexes (Et4N)[Cu(neo)Ni(NpPepS)] (3) and [Ni(terpy)Ni(NpPepS)] (4), respectively. Reaction of 2 with [Ni(dppe)Cl2] in MeCN yields [Ni(dppe)Ni(PhPepS)] (6). The Ni-Cu complex 3 exhibits no redox chemistry at the Nid site and no reaction with CO. In contrast, the Nip sites in 4 and 6 are readily reduced (characterized by their Ni(I) EPR spectra) and bind CO, exhibiting nuco bands at 2044 and 1997 cm-1, respectively, indicating terminal CO binding. The present Ni-Ni systems replicate the structural and chemical properties of the A-cluster site in ACS/CODH and support the presence of Ni at Mp in the catalytically active enzyme.     

Effect of Zn on acetyl coenzyme a synthase: evidence for a conformational change in the alpha subunit during catalysis

Acetyl coenzyme A synthase (ACS) is an alpha2beta2 tetramer in which the active-site A-cluster, located in the alpha subunits, consists of an Fe4S4 cubane bridged to a {Nip Nid} binuclear site. The alpha subunits exist in two conformations. In the open conformation, Nip is surface-exposed, while the proximal metal is buried in the closed conformation. Nip is labile and can be replaced by Cu. In this study, the effects of Zn are reported. ACS in which Zn replaced Nip was inactive and did not exhibit the so-called NiFeC EPR signal nor the ability to accept a methyl group from the corrinoid-iron-sulfur protein (CoFeSP). Once Zn-bound, it could not be replaced by subsequently adding Ni. The Zn-bound A-cluster cannot be reduced and bound with CO or become methylated, probably because Zn (like Cu) is insufficiently nucleophilic for these functions. Unexpectedly, Zn replaced Nip only while ACS was engaged in catalysis. Under these conditions, replacement occurred with kapp approximately 0.6 min-1. Replacement was blocked by including EDTA in the assay mix. Zn appears to replace Nip when ACS is in an intermediate state (or states) of catalysis but this(these) state(s) must not be present when ACS is reduced in CO alone, or in the presence of CoA, CoFeSP, or reduced methyl viologen. Nip appears susceptible to Zn-attack when the alpha subunit is in the open conformation and protected from attack when it is in the closed conformation. This is the first evidence that the structurally-characterized conformations of the alpha subunit change during catalysis, indicating a mechanistic role for this conformational change.     

Inactivation of acetyl-CoA synthase/carbon monoxide dehydrogenase by copper

Two recent crystal structures of acetyl-CoA synthase (ACS) from Moorella thermoacetica exhibited different metal contents and geometries at their active site, called the A-cluster. This led to the proposal of two catalytic mechanisms, one Ni-based, the other Cu-based. ACS was studied with respect to synthase activity, methyl group transfer activity, metal content, and EPR spectroscopy. Our results indicate that Cu is not required for catalysis and that it inactivates ACS by binding to the proximal site of the A-cluster. With Cu in this site, the A-cluster cannot accept a methyl group from the corrinoid-iron-sulfur protein, nor can it exhibit the NiFeC EPR signal after treatment with CO.     

Thiolate-bridged nickel-copper complexes: a binuclear model for the catalytic site of acetyl coenzyme a synthase?

Reaction of the nickel metalloligands [EtN2S2]Ni (EtN2S2, N,N'-diethyl-3,7-diazanonane-1,9-dithiolate) or K2[Ni(phmi)] (phmi, N,N'-1,2-phenylenebis(2-sulfanyl-2-methylpropionamide)) with [Cu(CH3CN)4]BF4 yields polynuclear complexes in which two copper(I) ions are bridged by the nickel metalloligands. Alternatively, reaction with the Cu(I) source, [(PhTttBu)Cu] (PhTttBu, phenyltris((tert-butylthio)methyl)borate), generates discrete binuclear NiCu complexes that may serve as models of the acetyl coenzyme A synthase active site. The binuclear species react reversibly with CO via rupture of the thiolate bridges.     

Spectroscopic and computational studies of a Ni(+)-CO model complex: implications for the acetyl-CoA synthase catalytic mechanism

The four-coordinate Ni(+) complex [PhTt(t)(Bu)]Ni(I)CO, where PhTt(t)()(Bu) = phenyltris((tert-buthylthio)methyl)borate (a tridentate thioether donor ligand), serves as a possible model for key Ni-CO reaction intermediates in the acetyl-CoA synthase (ACS) catalytic cycle. Resonance Raman, electronic absorption, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), variable-temperature variable-field MCD, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies were utilized in conjunction with density functional theory and semiemperical INDO/S-CI calculations to investigate the ground and excited states of [PhTt(t)()(Bu)]Ni(I)CO. These studies reveal extensive Ni(+) --> CO pi-back-bonding interactions, as evidenced by a low C-O stretching frequency (1995 cm(-)(1)), a calculated C-O stretching force constant of 15.5 mdyn/A (as compared to k(CO)(free CO) = 18.7 mdyn/A), and strong Ni(+) --> CO charge-transfer absorption intensities. Calculations reveal that this high degree of pi-back-bonding is due to the fact that the Ni(+) 3d orbitals are in close energetic proximity to the CO pi acceptor orbitals. In the ACS "paramagnetic catalytic cycle", the high degree of pi-back-bonding in the putative Ni(+)-CO intermediate (the NiFeC species) is not expected to preclude methyl transfer from CH(3)-CoFeSP.     

Carbon monoxide dehydrogenase reaction mechanism: a likely case of abnormal CO2 insertion to a Ni-H(-) bond

Ni-containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenases (CODH), present in many anaerobic microorganisms, catalyze the reversible oxidation of CO to CO(2) at the so-called C-cluster. This atypical active site is composed of a [NiFe(3)S(4)] cluster and a single unusual iron ion called ferrous component II or Fe(u) that is bridged to the cluster via one sulfide ion. After additional refinement of recently published high-resolution structures of COOH(x)-, OH(x)-, and CN-bound CODH from Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans (Jeoung and Dobbek Science 2007, 318, 1461-1464; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 9922-9923), we have used computational methods on the predominant resulting structures to investigate the spectroscopically well-characterized catalytic intermediates, C(red1) and the two-electron more-reduced C(red2). Several models were geometry-optimized for both states using hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical potentials. The comparison of calculated Mo?ssbauer parameters of these active site models with experimental data allows us to propose that the C(red1) state has a Fe(u)-Ni(2+) bridging hydroxide ligand and the C(red2) state has a hydride terminally bound to Ni(2+). Using our combined structural and theoretical data, we put forward a revised version of an earlier proposal for the catalytic cycle of Ni-containing CODH (Volbeda and Fontecilla-Camps Dalton Trans. 2005, 21, 3443-3450) that agrees with available spectroscopic and structural data. This mechanism involves an abnormal CO(2) insertion into the Ni(2+)-H(-) bond.     

Metalloproteins/metalloenzymes for the synthesis of acetyl-CoA in the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway

This paper focuses on the group of metalloproteins/metalloenzymes in the acetyl-coenzyme A synthesis pathway of anaerobic microbes called Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, including formate dehydrogenase (FDH), corrinoid iron sulfur protein (CoFeSP), acetyl-CoA synthase (ACS) and CO dehydrogenase (CODH). FDH, a key metalloenzyme involved in the conversion of carbon dioxide to methyltetrahydrofolate, catalyzes the reversible oxidation of formate to carbon dioxide. CoFeSP, as a methyl group transformer, accepts the methyl group from CH₃-H₄ folate and then transfers it to ACS. CODH reversibly catalyzes the reduction of CO₂ to CO and ACS functions for acetyl-coenzyme A synthesis through condensation of the methyl group, CO and coenzyme A, to finish the whole pathway. This paper introduces the structure, function and reaction mechanisms of these enzymes.     

M?ssbauer characterization of the iron-sulfur clusters in Desulfovibrio vulgaris hydrogenase.

The periplasmic hydrogenase of Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenbourough) is an all Fe-containing hydrogenase. It contains two ferredoxin type [4Fe-4S] clusters, termed the F clusters, and a catalytic H cluster. Recent X-ray crystallographic studies on two Fe hydrogenases revealed that the H cluster is composed of two sub-clusters, a [4Fe-4S] cluster ([4Fe-4S](H)) and a binuclear Fe cluster ([2Fe](H)), bridged by a cysteine sulfur. The aerobically purified D. vulgaris hydrogenase is stable in air. It is inactive and requires reductive activation. Upon reduction, the enzyme becomes sensitive to O(2), indicating that the reductive activation process is irreversible. Previous EPR investigations showed that upon reoxidation (under argon) the H cluster exhibits a rhombic EPR signal that is not seen in the as-purified enzyme, suggesting a conformational change in association with the reductive activation. For the purpose of gaining more information on the electronic properties of this unique H cluster and to understand further the reductive activation process, variable-temperature and variable-field M?ssbauer spectroscopy has been used to characterize the Fe-S clusters in D. vulgaris hydrogenase poised at different redox states generated during a reductive titration, and in the CO-reacted enzyme. The data were successfully decomposed into spectral components corresponding to the F and H clusters, and characteristic parameters describing the electronic and magnetic properties of the F and H clusters were obtained. Consistent with the X-ray crystallographic results, the spectra of the H cluster can be understood as originating from an exchange coupled [4Fe-4S]-[2Fe] system. In particular, detailed analysis of the data reveals that the reductive activation begins with reduction of the [4Fe-4S](H) cluster from the 2+ to the 1+ state, followed by transfer of the reducing equivalent from the [4Fe-4S](H) subcluster to the binuclear [2Fe](H) subcluster. The results also reveal that binding of exogenous CO to the H cluster affects significantly the exchange coupling between the [4Fe-4S](H) and the [2Fe](H) subclusters. Implication of such a CO binding effect is discussed.     

Binding of CO to structural models of the bimetallic subunit at the A-cluster of acetyl coenzyme A synthase/CO dehydrogenase

Trinuclear Ni-Cu-Ni and Ni-Ni-Ni complexes derived from an Ni(ii)-dicarboxamido-dithiolato metallosynthon exhibit redox behavior and CO binding properties similar to those of the A-cluster in acetyl coenzyme A synthase/CO dehydrogenase (ACS/CODH).     

Spectroscopic evidence for site specific chemistry at a unique iron site of the [4Fe-4S] cluster in ferredoxin:thioredoxin reductase

Ferredoxin:thioredoxin reductase (FTR) catalyzes the reduction of the disulfide in thioredoxin in two one-electron steps using an active site comprising a [4Fe-4S] in close proximity to a redox active disulfide. M?ssbauer spectroscopy has been used to investigate the ligation and electronic properties of the [4Fe-4S] cluster in as-prepared FTR which has the active-site disulfide intact and in the N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-modified form which provides a stable analogue of the one-electron-reduced heterodisulfide intermediate and has one of the cysteines of the active-site disulfide alkylated with NEM. The results reveal novel site-specific cluster chemistry involving weak interaction of the active-site disulfide with a unique Fe site of the [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster in the resting enzyme and cleavage of the active-site disulfide with concomitant coordination of one of the cysteines to yield a [4Fe-4S]3+ cluster with a five-coordinate Fe site ligated by two cysteine residues in the NEM-modified enzyme. The results provide molecular-level insight into the catalytic mechanism of FTR and other Fe-S-cluster-containing disulfide reductases, and suggest a possible mechanism for the reductive cleavage of S-adenosylmethionine by the radical SAM family of Fe-S enzymes.     

Effect of sodium sulfide on Ni-containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenases

The structure of the active-site C-cluster in CO dehydrogenase from Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans includes a mu(2)-sulfide ion bridged to the Ni and unique Fe, whereas the same cluster in enzymes from Rhodospirillum rubrum (CODH(Rr)) and Moorella thermoacetica (CODH(Mt)) lack this ion. This difference was investigated by exploring the effects of sodium sulfide on activity and spectral properties. Sulfide partially inhibited the CO oxidation activity of CODH(Rr) and generated a lag prior to steady-state. CODH(Mt) was inhibited similarly but without a lag. Adding sulfide to CODH(Mt) in the C(red1) state caused the g(av) = 1.82 EPR signal to decline and new features to appear, including one with g = 1.95, 1.85 and (1.70 or 1.62). Removing sulfide caused the g(av) = 1.82 signal to reappear and activity to recover. Sulfide did not affect the g(av) = 1.86 signal from the C(red2) state. A model was developed in which sulfide binds reversibly to C(red1), inhibiting catalysis. Reducing this adduct causes sulfide to dissociate, C(red2) to develop, and activity to recover. Using this model, apparent K(I) values are 40 +/- 10 nM for CODH(Rr) and 60 +/- 30 microM for CODH(Mt). Effects of sulfide are analogous to those of other anions, including the substrate hydroxyl group, suggesting that these ions also bridge the Ni and unique Fe. This proposed arrangement raises the possibility that CO binding labilizes the bridging hydroxyl and increases its nucleophilic tendency toward attacking Ni-bound carbonyl.     

Kinetics of CO insertion and acetyl group transfer steps, and a model of the acetyl-CoA synthase catalytic mechanism

Acetyl-CoA synthase/carbon monoxide dehydrogenase is a Ni-Fe-S-containing enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of acetyl-CoA from CO, CoA, and a methyl group. The methyl group is transferred onto the enzyme from a corrinoid-iron-sulfur protein (CoFeSP). The kinetics of two steps within the catalytic mechanism were studied using the stopped-flow method, including the insertion of CO into a putative Ni(2+)-CH(3) bond and the transfer of the resulting acetyl group to CoA. Neither step had been studied previously. Reactions were monitored indirectly, starting with the methylated intermediate form of the enzyme. Resulting traces were analyzed by constructing a simple kinetic model describing the catalytic mechanism under reducing conditions. Besides methyl group transfer, CO insertion, and acetyl group transfer, fitting to experimental traces required the inclusion of an inhibitory step in which CO reversibly bound to the form of the enzyme obtained immediately after product release. Global simulation of the reported datasets afforded a consistent set of kinetic parameters. The equilibrium constant for the overall synthesis of acetyl-CoA was estimated and compared to the product of the individual equilibrium constants. Simulations obtained with the model duplicated the essential behavior of the enzyme, in terms of the variation of activity with [CO], and the time-dependent decay of the NiFeC EPR signal upon reaction with CoFeSP. Under standard assay conditions, the model suggests that the vast majority of active enzyme molecules in a population should be in the methylated form, suggesting that the subsequent catalytic step, namely CO insertion, is rate limiting. This conclusion is further supported by a sensitivity analysis showing that the rate is most sensitively affected by a change in the rate coefficient associated with the CO insertion step.     

Stopped-Flow Kinetics of Methyl Group Transfer between the Corrinoid-Iron-Sulfur Protein and Acetyl-Coenzyme A Synthase from Clostridium thermoaceticum

Kinetics of methyl group transfer between the Ni-Fe-S-containing acetyl-CoA synthase (ACS) and the corrinoid protein (CoFeSP) from Clostridium thermoaceticum were investigated using the stopped-flow method at 390 nm. Rates of the reaction CH(3)-Co(3+)FeSP + ACS(red) <==> Co(1+)FeSP + CH(3)-ACS(ox) in both forward and reverse directions were determined using various protein and reductant concentrations. Ti(3+)citrate, dithionite, and CO were used to reductively activate ACS (forming ACS(red)). The simplest mechanism that adequately fit the data involved formation of a [CH(3)-Co(3+)FeSP]:[ACS(red)] complex, methyl group transfer (forming [Co(1+)FeSP]:[CH(3)-ACS(ox)]), product dissociation (forming Co(1+)FeSP + CH(3)-ACS(ox)), and CO binding yielding a nonproductive enzyme state (ACS(red) + CO <==> ACS(red)-CO). Best-fit rate constants were obtained. CO inhibited methyl group transfer by binding ACS(red) in accordance with K(D) = 180 +/- 90 microM. Fits were unimproved when >1 CO was assumed to bind. Ti(3+)citrate and dithionite inhibited the reverse methyl group transfer reaction, probably by reducing the D-site of CH(3)-ACS(ox). This redox site is oxidized by 2e(-) when the methyl cation is transferred from CH(3)-Co(3+)FeSP to ACS(red), and is reduced during the reverse reaction. Best-fit K(D) values for pre- and post-methyl-transfer complexes were 0.12 +/- 0.06 and 0.3 +/- 0.2 microM, respectively. Intracomplex methyl group transfer was reversible with K(eq) = 2.3 +/- 0.9 (k(f)/k(r) = 6.9 s(-1)/3.0 s(-1)). The nucleophilicity of the [Ni(2+)D(red)] unit appears comparable to that of Co(1+) cobalamins. Reduction of the D-site may cause the Ni(2+) of the A-cluster to behave like the Ni of an organometallic Ni(0) complex.     

负载型Sn2(OMe)2Cl2/SiO2催化剂的制备、表征与催化合成碳酸二甲酯

采用表面改性法制备了负载型Sn2(OMe)2Cl2/SiO2双核桥联配合物催化剂,用IR,TPD和微量反应技术研究了催化剂的表面结构、化学吸附性能和反应活性.结果表明,双核桥联配合物Sn2(OMe)2Cl2以O(Me)为桥,Cl为配体,并以Sn-O-Si形式键合到SiO2表面上;CO2与催化剂表面的金属离子Sn4+和桥基配体OMe的O2-形成桥式和甲氧碳酸酯基两种吸附态,CH3OH与催化剂表面的金属离子Sn4+仅形成一种分子吸附态;在413K以下,CO2和CH3OH在Sn2(OMe)2Cl2/SiO2催化剂表面上以近100%的选择性生成碳酸二甲酯;CO2在催化剂表面形成的甲氧碳酸酯基吸附态是生成DMC的关键物种,其与在同一活性中心的分子吸附态甲醇的反应决定了催化剂的活性和产物选择性.     

The tunnel of acetyl-coenzyme a synthase/carbon monoxide dehydrogenase regulates delivery of CO to the active site

The effect of [CO] on acetyl-CoA synthesis activity of the isolated alpha subunit of acetyl-coenzyme A synthase/carbon monoxide dehydrogenase from Moorella thermoacetica was determined. In contrast to the complete alpha(2)beta(2) enzyme where multiple CO molecules exhibit strong cooperative inhibition, alpha was weakly inhibited, apparently by a single CO with K(I) = 1.5 +/- 0.5 mM; other parameters include k(cat) = 11 +/- 1 min(-)(1) and K(M) = 30 +/- 10 microM. The alpha subunit lacked the previously described "majority" activity of the complete enzyme but possessed its "residual" activity. The site affording cooperative inhibition may be absent or inoperative in isolated alpha subunits. Ni-activated alpha rapidly and reversibly accepted a methyl group from CH(3)-Co(3+)FeSP affording the equilibrium constant K(MT) = 10 +/- 4, demonstrating the superior nucleophilicity of alpha(red) relative to Co(1+)FeSP. CO inhibited this reaction weakly (K(I) = 540 +/- 190 microM). NiFeC EPR intensity of alpha developed in accordance with an apparent K(d) = 30 microM, suggesting that the state exhibiting this signal is not responsible for inhibiting catalysis or methyl group transfer and that it may be a catalytic intermediate. At higher [CO], signal intensity declined slightly. Attenuation of catalysis, methyl group transfer, and the NiFeC signal might reflect the same weak CO binding process. Three mutant alpha(2)beta(2) proteins designed to block the tunnel between the A- and C-clusters exhibited little/no activity with CO(2) as a substrate and no evidence of cooperative CO inhibition. This suggests that the tunnel was blocked by these mutations and that cooperative CO inhibition is related to tunnel operation. Numerous CO molecules might bind cooperatively to some region associated with the tunnel and institute a conformational change that abolishes the majority activity. Alternatively, crowding of CO in the tunnel may control flow through the tunnel and deliver CO to the A-cluster at the appropriate step of catalysis. Residual activity may involve CO from the solvent binding directly to the A-cluster.     

金属组学：Wood—Ljungdahl通路中的金属蛋白／金属酶

本文概述了厌氧微生物的Wood-Ljungdahl通路及通路中的一组金属蛋白／金属酶,主要介绍该通路的来源、过程及通路中的四种金属蛋白,金属酶：甲酸脱氢酶、钻铁硫蛋白、乙酰辅酶A合成酶和CO脱氢酶．甲酸脱氢酶催化CO2和甲酸的可逆氧化还原,是CO2转化为甲酸进而转化为甲基四氢叶酸的关键金属酶;钴铁硫蛋白是该通路中的甲基转换器,接受甲基四氢叶酸的甲基之后再传递给乙酰辅酶A合成酶;CO脱氢酶催化CO2与CO之间的可逆氧化还原;乙酰辅酶A合成酶通过浓缩甲基、CO和辅酶A而催化乙酰辅酶A的合成．本文重点对这四种金属蛋白／金属酶的结构、性质、功能及催化机理的研究进展进行了综述．