Miriam S. Hasson

A functionally diverse enzyme superfamily that abstracts the alpha protons of carboxylic acids

Mandelate racemase and muconate lactonizing enzyme are structurally homologous but catalyze different reactions, each initiated by proton abstraction from carbon. The structural similarity to mandelate racemase of a previously unidentified gene product was used to deduce its function as a galactonate dehydratase. In this enzyme superfamily that has evolved to catalyze proton abstraction from carbon, three variations of homologous active site architectures are now represented: lysine and histidine bases in the active site of mandelate racemase, only a lysine base in the active site of muconate lactonizing enzyme, and only a histidine base in the active site of galactonate dehydratase. This discovery supports the hypothesis that new enzymatic activities evolve by recruitment of a protein catalyzing the same type of chemical reaction.

Urkinase: Structure of Acetate Kinase, a Member of the ASKHA Superfamily of Phosphotransferases

Acetate kinase, an enzyme widely distributed in the Bacteria and Archaea domains, catalyzes the phosphorylation of acetate. We have determined the three-dimensional structure of Methanosarcina thermophila acetate kinase bound to ADP through crystallography. As we previously predicted, acetate kinase contains a core fold that is topologically identical to that of the ADP-binding domains of glycerol kinase, hexokinase, the 70-kDa heat shock cognate (Hsc70), and actin. Numerous charged active-site residues are conserved within acetate kinases, but few are conserved within the phosphotransferase superfamily. The identity of the points of insertion of polypeptide segments into the core fold of the superfamily members indicates that the insertions existed in the common ancestor of the phosphotransferases. Another remarkable shared feature is the unusual, epsilon conformation of the residue that directly precedes a conserved glycine residue (Gly-331 in acetate kinase) that binds the alpha-phosphate of ADP. Structural, biochemical, and geochemical considerations indicate that an acetate kinase may be the ancestral enzyme of the ASKHA (acetate and sugar kinases/Hsc70/actin) superfamily of phosphotransferases.

Crystallization of butyrate kinase 2 from Thermotoga maritima mediated by vapor diffusion of acetic acid.

The sitting-drop method of crystallization uses the evaporation of water to increase the concentration of the protein and precipitant in the drop. The presence of other volatile components, such as acetic acid, can have a marked impact on crystallization. A member of the ASKHA (acetate and sugar kinases/Hsc70/actin) superfamily of proteins, isobutyrate kinase (Buk2) from Thermotoga maritima, was expressed in Escherichia coli with six histidine residues added to the C-terminus. The purified protein was crystallized in a sitting drop with a well solution consisting of 1.7-3.0 M sodium formate, with the pH of the well solution alone adjusted to 4.5 with acetic acid. Diffraction data collected at 100 K show that the crystals diffract to 3.1 A and belong to space group I422, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 198.12, c = 58.93 A. Both the crystal form and the results of dynamic light-scattering studies suggest that Buk2 is an octomer, the first to be identified in the ASKHA superfamily.

A continuous assay of acetate kinase activity: Measurement of inorganic phosphate release generated by hydroxylaminolysis of acetyl phosphate

Acetate kinase, a member of the ASKHA (Acetate and Sugar Kinases, Hsp70, Actin) phosphotransferase superfamily is a central enzyme in prokaryotic carbon and energy metabolism. Recently extensive structural and biochemical studies of acetate kinase and related carboxylate kinases have been conducted. Analysis of the kinetic properties of wild-type and mutant enzymes has been impeded by the nature of the current assays for acetate kinase activity. These assays have the disadvantages of being either discontinuous or insensitive or of utilizing compounds that interfere with activity measurements. We have developed a novel continuous assay that depends on the purine nucleoside phosphorylase-based spectroscopic measurement of the inorganic phosphate generated by hydroxylaminolysis of one of the products of the acetate kinase reaction, acetyl phosphate. This assay has enabled a determination of the kinetic parameters of the Thermotoga maritima acetate kinase that indicates a lower K(m) for acetate than previously published.

Characterization of two crystal forms of 3−carboxy−cis− cis−muconate lactonizing enzyme from pseudomonas putida

Two crystal forms of 3-carboxy-cis,cis-muconate lactonizing enzyme from Pseudomonas putida have been characterized. Form A is in space group P6, with unit-cell dimensions a = b = 232, c = 79 A, alpha = beta = 90, gamma = 120 degrees. Form B is orthorhombic, with cell dimensions a = 163, b = 139, c = 90 A alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees.