Type II isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase: irreversible inactivation by covalent modification of flavin

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI) catalyzes the interconversion of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), the basic building blocks of isoprenoid molecules. Two structurally unrelated classes of IDI are known. Type I IPP isomerase (IDI-1) utilizes a divalent metal in a protonation-deprotonation reaction; whereas, the type II enzyme (IDI-2) requires reduced flavin. Epoxy, diene, and fluorinated substrate analogues, irreversible inhibitors of IDI-1, were analyzed as mechanistic probes for IDI-2. 3,4-Oxido-3-methyl-1-butyl diphosphate (eIPP), 3-methylene-4-penten-1-yl diphosphate (vIPP), and 3-(fluoromethyl)-3-buten-1-yl diphosphate (fmIPP) inactivate IDI-2 through formation of covalent adducts with the reduced flavin. UV-visible spectra of the inactivated complexes are consistent with modification of the isoalloxazine ring at position N5. vIPP and fmIPP are also alternate substrates with isomerization competing with alkylation of the flavin cofactor. (Z)-3-(Fluoromethyl)-2-buten-1-yl diphosphate ((Z)-fmDMAPP) and (Z)-3-(difluoromethyl)-2-buten-1-yl diphosphate ((Z)-dfmDMAPP) are alternate substrates, which are isomerized to the corresponding IPP derivatives. The rates of isomerization of fmIPP and (Z)-fmDMAPP are approximately 50-fold less than IPP and DMAPP, respectively. dfmIPP is not an irreversible inhibitor. These studies indicate that the irreversible inhibitors inactivate the reduced flavin required for catalysis by electrophilic alkylation and are consistent with a protonation-deprotonation mechanism for the isomerization catalyzed by IDI-2.     

Type-2 isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase: evidence for a stepwise mechanism

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI) catalyzes the interconversion of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). These two molecules are the building blocks for construction of isoprenoid carbon skeletons in nature. Two structurally unrelated forms of IDI are known. A variety of studies support a proton addition/proton elimination mechanism for both enzymes. During studies with Thermus thermophilus IDI-2, we discovered that the olefinic hydrogens of a vinyl thiomethyl analogue of isopentenyl diphosphate exchanged with solvent when the enzyme was incubated with D(2)O without concomitant isomerization of the double bond. These results suggest that the enzyme-catalyzed isomerization reaction is not concerted.     

The diverse roles of flavin coenzymes--nature's most versatile thespians

Flavin coenzymes play a variety of roles in biological systems. This Perspective highlights the chemical versatility of flavins by reviewing research on five flavoenzymes that have been studied in our laboratory. Each of the enzymes discussed in this review [the acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACDs), CDP-6-deoxy-l-threo-d-glycero-4-hexulose-3-dehydrase reductase (E3), CDP-4-aceto-3,6-dideoxygalactose synthase (YerE), UDP-galactopyranose mutase (UGM), and type II isopentenyl diphosphate:dimethylallyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI-2)] utilizes flavin in a distinct role. In particular, the catalytic mechanisms of two of these enzymes, UGM and IDI-2, may involve novel flavin chemistry.     

Synthesis of (S)-isoprenoid thiodiphosphates as substrates and inhibitors

Thiolo thiophosphate analogues of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP), dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), geranyl diphosphate (GPP), farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) were synthesized. Inorganic thiopyrophosphate (SPP(i)) was prepared from trimethyl phosphate in four steps. The tris(tetra-n-butylammonium) salt was then used to convert isopentenyl tosylate to (S)-isopentenyl thiodiphosphate (ISPP). (S)-Dimethylallyl (DMASPP), (S)-geranyl (GSPP), (S)-farnesyl (FSPP), and (S)-geranylgeranyl thiodiphosphate (GGSPP) were prepared from the corresponding bromides in a similar manner. ISPP and GSPP were substrates for avian farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPase). Incubation of the enzyme with ISPP and GPP gave FSPP, whereas incubation with IPP and GSPP gave FPP. GSPP was a substantially less reactive than GPP in the chain elongation reaction and was an excellent competitive inhibitor, K(I)(GSPP) = 24.8 microM, of the enzyme. Thus, when ISPP and DMAPP were incubated with FPPase, GSPP accumulated and was only slowly converted to FSPP.     

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase. Mechanism-based inhibition by diene analogues of isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI) catalyzes the interconversion of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). This is an essential step in the mevalonate entry into the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. The isomerization catalyzed by type I IDI involves protonation of the carbon-carbon double bond in IPP or DMAPP to form a tertiary carbocation, followed by deprotonation. Diene analogues for DMAPP (E-2-OPP and Z-2-OPP) and IPP (4-OPP) were synthesized and found to be potent active-site-directed irreversible inhibitors of the enzyme. X-ray analysis of the E.I complex between Escherichia coli IDI and 4-OPP reveals the presence of two isomers that differ in the stereochemistry of the newly formed C3-C4 double bond in the hydrocarbon chain of the inhibitor. In both adducts C5 of the inhibitor is joined to the sulfur of C67. In these structures the methyl group formed upon protonation of the diene moiety in 4-OPP is located near E116, implicating that residue in the protonation step.     

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase catalyzed reactions in D2O: product release limits the rate of this sluggish enzyme-catalyzed reaction

The E. coli isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI) catalyzed reaction of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) in D(2)O gives a 66% yield of dimethylallyl diphosphate labeled with deuterium at the (E)-methyl group (d-DMAPP) and a 34% yield of IPP labeled with 1 mol of deuterium at C-2 (d-IPP). This shows that the release to D(2)O of the initial product of the IDI-catalyzed reaction (d-DMAPP) is slower than its conversion to d-IPP. Product dissociation is therefore rate determining for isomerization of IPP with a rate constant k(dis) ≈ k(cat) = 0.08 s(-1). The data provide an estimated rate constant of k(as) = 6 × 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) for binding of DMAPP to E. coli IDI that is similar to rate constants determined for the binding of N-protonated 2-amino ethyl diphosphate intermediate analogs to IDI from yeast [Reardon, J. E.; Abeles, R. H. Biochemistry1986, 25, 5609-5616]. We propose that ligand binding to IDI is relatively slow because there is a significant kinetic barrier to reorganization of the initial encounter complex between enzyme, substrate, and an essential Mg(2+) to form the Michaelis complex where the metal cation bridges the protein and the substrate diphosphate group.     

Synthesis and evaluation of chlorinated substrate analogues for farnesyl diphosphate synthase

Substrate analogues for isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), where the C3 methyl groups were replaced by chlorine, were synthesized and evaluated as substrates for avian farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPase). The IPP analogue (3-ClIPP) was a cosubstrate when incubated with dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) or geranyl diphosphate (GPP) to give the corresponding chlorinated analogues of geranyl diphosphate (3-ClGPP) and farnesyl diphosphate (3-ClFPP), respectively. No products were detected in incubations of 3-ClIPP with 3-ClDMAPP. Incubation of IPP with 3-ClDMAPP gave 11-ClFPP as the sole product. Values of K(M)(3-ClIPP) (with DMAPP) and K(M)(3-ClDMAPP) (with IPP) were similar to those for IPP and DMAPP; however, values of k(cat) for both analogues were substantially lower. These results are consistent with a dissociative electrophilic alkylation mechanism where the rate-limiting step changes from heterolytic cleavage of the carbon-oxygen bond in the allylic substrate to alkylation of the double bond of the homoallylic substrate.     

Synthesis of [1-C] and stereo-specifically [1-H] labeled fluorinated substrate analogues of IspH enzyme in the deoxyxylulose phosphate pathway

IspH in the deoxyxylulose phosphate (DXP) pathway catalyzes the reductive dehydration of (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenyl diphosphate (HMBPP) to isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and its isomer dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), which are the starting materials for the synthesis of thousands of isoprenoids. Several models have been proposed in the literature to account for this unique transformation, and most of them involve the formation of an allylic radical intermediate. To facilitate trapping and characterizing the proposed intermediates in the IspH-catalyzed reactions, in the present work, we report the synthesis of four isotopically labeled IspH substrate analogues. These isotopically labeled mechanistic probes will be utilized in the future for characterizing the proposed IspH reaction intermediates by the combination of bioorganic and biophysical approaches.     

Enzymatic Synthesis of Methylated Terpene Analogues Using the Plasticity of Bacterial Terpene Synthases

Methylated analogues of isopentenyl diphosphate were synthesised and enzymatically incorporated into methylated terpenes. A detailed stereochemical analysis of the obtained products is presented. The methylated terpene precursors were also used in conjunction with various isotopic labellings to gain insights into the mechanisms of their enzymatic formation.     

Synthesis of oxytocin analogues with replacement of sulfur by carbon gives potent antagonists with increased stability

[Chemical reaction: See text] The neuropeptide oxytocin 1 controls mammary and uterine smooth muscle contraction. Atosiban 2, an oxytocin antagonist, is used for prevention of preterm labor and premature birth. However, the metabolic lifetimes of such peptide drugs are short because of in vivo degradation. Facile production of oxytocin analogues with varying ring sizes wherein sulfur is replaced by carbon (methylene or methine) could be achieved by standard solid-phase peptide synthesis using olefin-bearing amino acids followed by on-resin ring-closing metathesis (RCM). These were tested for agonistic and antagonistic uteronic activity using myometrial strips taken from nonpregnant female rats. Peptide 8 showed agonistic activity in vitro (EC50= 1.4 x 10(3) +/- 4.4 x 10(2) nM) as compared to 1 (EC50= 7.0 +/- 2.1 nM). Atosiban analogues 17 (pA2= 7.8 +/- 0.1) and 18 (pA2= 8.0 +/- 0.1) showed substantial activity compared to the parent oxytocin antagonist 2 (pA2= 9.9 +/- 0.3). Carba analogue 35 (pA2= 6.1 +/- 0.1) had an agonistic activity over 2 orders of magnitude less than its parent 3 (8.8 +/- 0.5). A comparison of biological stabilities of 1,6-carba analogues of both an agonist 8 and antagonist 18 versus parent peptides 1 and 2 was conducted. The half-lives of peptides 8 and 18 in rat placental tissue were shown (Table 2) to be greatly improved versus their parents oxytocin 1 and atosiban 2, respectively. These results suggest that peptides 8 and 18 and analogues thereof may be important leads into the development of a long-lasting, commercially available therapeutic for initiation of parturition and treatment of preterm labor.     

Slit discharge IR spectroscopy of a jet-cooled cyclopropyl radical: structure and intramolecular tunneling dynamics

High-resolution infrared spectra of a jet-cooled cyclopropyl radical are reported for the first time, specifically sampling the in-phase antisymmetric CH2 stretch (nu7) vibration. In addition to yielding the first precise gas-phase structural information, the spectra reveal quantum level doubling into lower (+) and upper (-) states due to tunneling of the lone alpha-CH with respect to the CCC plane. The bands clearly reveal intensity alternation due to H atom nuclear spin statistics (6:10 and 10:6 for even:odd Ka+Kc in lower (+) and upper (-) tunneling levels, respectively) consistent with C2v symmetry of the cyclopropyl-tunneling transition state. The two ground-state-tunneling levels fit extremely well to a rigid asymmetric rotor Hamiltonian, but there is clear evidence for both local and global state mixing in the vibrationally excited nu7 tunneling levels. In particular, the upper (-) tunneling component of the nu7 state is split by anharmonic coupling with a nearly isoenergetic dark state, which thereby acquires oscillator strength via intensity sharing with this bright state. From thermal Boltzmann analysis of fractional populations, tunneling splittings for a cyclopropyl radical are estimated to be 3.2 +/- 0.3 cm(-1) and 4.9 +/- 0.3 cm(-1) in the ground and nu7-excited states, respectively. This analysis indicates ground-state stereoracemization of the alpha-CH radical center to be a very fast process [k approximately 2.0(4) x 10(11) s(-1)], with the increase in the tunneling rate upon CH2 in-phase asymmetric stretch excitation consistent with ab initio predictions of equilibrium vs transition-state zero-point energies. Modeling of the ground-state-tunneling splittings with high level ab initio 1D potentials indicates an improved V0 = 1115 +/- 35 cm(-1) barrier height for alpha-CH inversion through the cyclopropyl CCC plane.     

Study of IspH, a key enzyme in the methylerythritol phosphate pathway using fluoro-substituted substrate analogues

IspH, a [4Fe-4S]-cluster-containing enzyme, catalyzes the reductive dehydroxylation of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-butenyl diphosphate (HMBPP) to isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) in the methylerythritol phosphate pathway. Studies of IspH using fluoro-substituted substrate analogues to dissect the contributions of several factors to IspH catalysis, including the coordination of the HMBPP C(4)-OH group to the iron-sulfur cluster, the H-bonding network in the active site, and the electronic properties of the substrates, are reported.     

Enantioselective synthesis of chiral carbocyclic pyrimidine nucleosides via asymmetric cyclopropanation

An efficient method to construct chiral cyclopropyl pyrimidine carbocyclic nucleoside analogues bearing a quaternary center was developed via asymmetric Michael-initiated cyclopropanation. The axis chirality was observed in cyclopropyl pyrimidine carbocyclic nucleoside analogues for the first time, which was caused by the rotationally restricted NC bond in N-COPh moiety. Using (DHQD)₂AQN as the organocatalyst, diverse cyclopropyl pyrimidine carbocyclic nucleoside analogues were generated in 76–93% yields and 73–96% ee.     

16-Aza-ent-beyerane and 16-Aza-ent-trachylobane: potent mechanism-based inhibitors of recombinant ent-kaurene synthase from Arabidopsis thaliana

The secondary ent-beyeran-16-yl carbocation (7) is a key branch point intermediate in mechanistic schemes to rationalize the cyclic structures of many tetra- and pentacyclic diterpenes, including ent-beyerene, ent-kaurene, ent-trachylobane, and ent-atiserene, presumed precursors to >1000 known diterpenes. To evaluate these mechanistic hypotheses, we synthesized the heterocyclic analogues 16-aza-ent-beyerane (12) and 16-aza-ent-trachylobane (13) by means of Hg(II)- and Pb(IV)-induced cyclizations onto the Delta12 double bonds of tricyclic intermediates bearing carbamoylmethyl and aminomethyl groups at C-8. The 13,16-seco-16-norcarbamate (20a) was obtained from ent-beyeran-16-one oxime (17) by Beckmann fragmentation, hydrolysis, and Curtius rearrangement. The aza analogues inhibited recombinant ent-kaurene synthase from Arabidopsis thaliana (GST-rAtKS) with inhibition constants (IC50 = 1 x 10-7 and 1 x 10-6 M) similar in magnitude to the pseudo-binding constant of the bicyclic ent-copalyl diphosphate substrate (Km = 3 x 10-7 M). Large enhancements of binding affinities (IC50 = 4 x 10-9 and 2 x 10-8 M) were observed in the presence of 1 mM pyrophosphate, which is consistent with a tightly bound ent-beyeranyl+/pyrophosphate- ion pair intermediate in the cyclization-rearrangement catalyzed by this diterpene synthase. The weak inhibition (IC50 = 1 x 10-5 M) exhibited by ent-beyeran-16-exo-yl diphosphate (11) and its failure to undergo bridge rearrangement to kaurene appear to rule out the covalent diphosphate as a free intermediate. 16-Aza-ent-beyerane is proposed as an effective mimic for the ent-beyeran-16-yl carbocation with potential applications as an active site probe for the various ent-diterpene cyclases and as a novel, selective inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis in plants.     

Synthesis of (R)-[2-2H]isopentenyl diphosphate and determination of its enantiopurity by 2H NMR spectroscopy in a lyotropic medium

[formula: see text] The synthesis of (R)-[2-2H]isopentenyl diphosphate from D-mannitol 1,2:5,6-bis-acetonide in 10 steps is reported. Stereospecific incorporation of the label is achieved by a BF3-catalyzed NaCNBD3 reduction of the enantiomerically pure (S)-isopropylidene oxirane intermediate. The enantiomeric excess of the penultimate precursor [2-2H]isopentenyl tosylate (> 95% ee) was determined by 2H NMR spectroscopy in a poly-gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate/CH2Cl2 liquid crystal at -50 degrees C.     

Structure and bonding in a cyclobutyl tris(pyrazolyl)boratoniobium complex and the variation in agostic behaviour with ring size in the series Tp(Me2)NbCl(c-C(n)H(2n-1))(MeC[triple bond]CMe), n = 3-6

The synthesis and characterisation of the cyclobutyl complex Tp(Me2)NbCl(c-C4H7)(MeC[triple bond]CMe) completes the family of cycloalkyl complexes Tp(Me2)NbCl(c-C(n)H(2n-1)), n = 3-6. The properties of the cyclobutyl complex are qualitatively similar to those of its cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl analogues, and dramatically different from those of the cyclopropyl derivative. Most conspicuously, the cyclobutyl system has an alpha-C-H agostic interaction in the dominant isomer, with no evidence for the alpha-C-C agostic character found for the smaller ring. C-C agostic character therefore seems to be unique to the cyclopropyl complex, where the acute C-C-C angles destabilise the C-C bonding orbitals.     

Investigation of the catalytic mechanism of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase by computer simulation

Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) catalyses the formation of a key cellular intermediate in isoprenoid metabolic pathways, farnesyl pyrophosphate, by the sequential head-to-tail condensation of two molecules of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) with dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). Recently, FPPS has been shown to represent an important target for the treatment of parasitic diseases such as Chagas disease and African trypanosomiasis. Bisphosphonates, pyrophosphate analogues in which the oxygen bridge between the two phosphorus atoms has been replaced by a carbon substituted with different side chains, are able to inhibit the FPPS enzyme. Moreover, nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates have been proposed as carbocation transition state analogues of FPPS. On the basis of structural and kinetic data, different catalytic mechanisms have been proposed for FPPS. By analyzing different reaction coordinates we propose that the reaction occurs in one step through a carbocationic transition state and the subsequent transfer of a hydrogen atom from IPP to the pyrophosphate moiety of DMAPP. Moreover, we have analyzed the role of the active site amino acids on the activation barrier and the reaction mechanism. The structure of the active site is well conserved in the isoprenyl diphosphate synthase family; thus, our results are relevant for the understanding of this important class of enzymes and for the design of more potent and specific inhibitors for the treatment of parasitic diseases.     

Stereochemical analysis of isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase type II from Staphylococcus aureus using chemically synthesized (S)- and (R)-[2-2H]isopentenyl diphosphates

[chemical reaction: see text]. To study the catalysis of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) isomerase type II from Staphylococcus aureus, which is a flavoprotein catalyzing the interconversion of IPP and dimethylallyl diphosphate, we have chemically synthesized (S)- and (R)-[2-2H]IPP and carried out stereochemical analysis of the reaction. Our results show that the C-2 deprotonation of IPP by this enzyme is pro-R stereospecific, suggesting a similar stereochemical course as the type I enzyme.     

Biosynthesis of isoprenoids in Escherichia coli: stereochemistry of the reaction catalyzed by farnesyl diphosphate synthase

[formula: see text] Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase from Escherichia coli catalyzes the condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and geranyl diphosphate (GPP) with selective removal of the pro-R hydrogen at C2 of IPP, the same stereochemistry observed for the pig liver, yeast, and avian enzymes.     

Structure‐Based Design and Synthesis of the First Weak Non‐Phosphate Inhibitors for IspF,an Enzyme in the Non‐Mevalonate Pathway of Isoprenoid Biosynthesis

In this paper, we describe the structure‐based design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of cytosine derivatives and analogues that inhibit IspF, an enzyme in the non‐mevalonate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis. This pathway is responsible for the biosynthesis of the C₅ precursors to isoprenoids, isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP, 1 ) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP, 2 ; Scheme 1). The non‐mevalonate pathway is the sole source for 1 and 2 in the protozoan Plasmodium parasites. Since mammals exclusively utilize the alternative mevalonate pathway, the enzymes of the non‐mevalonate pathway have been identified as attractive new drug targets in the fight against malaria. Based on computer modeling (cf. Figs. 2 and 3), new cytosine derivatives and analogues (Fig. 1) were selected as potential drug‐like inhibitors of IspF protein, and synthesized (Schemes 2–5). Determination of the enzyme activity by ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy in the presence of the new ligands showed inhibitory activities for some of the prepared cytosine and pyridine‐2,5‐diamine derivatives in the upper micromolar range (IC₅₀ values; Table). The data suggest that it is possible to inhibit IspF protein without binding to the polar diphosphate binding site and the side chain of Asp56′, which interacts with the ribose moiety of the substrate and substrate analogues. Furthermore, a new spacious sub‐pocket was discovered which accommodates aromatic spacers between cytosine derivatives or analogues (binding to ‘Pocket III’) and rings that occupy the flexible hydrophobic region of ‘Pocket II’. The proposed binding mode remains to be further validated by X‐ray crystallography.