Ragnar Bjornsson

Identification of a spin-coupled Mo(III) in the nitrogenase iron–molybdenum cofactor

Nitrogenase is a complex enzyme that catalyzes the formation of ammonia utilizing a MoFe7S9C cluster. The presence of a central carbon atom was recently revealed, finally completing the atomic level description of the active site. However, important prerequisites for understanding the mechanism – the total charge, metal oxidation states and electronic structure are unknown. Herein we present high-energy resolution fluorescence detected Mo K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy of nitrogenase. Comparison to FeMo model complexes of known oxidation state indicates that the Mo in the FeMo cofactor of nitrogenase is best described as Mo(III), in contrast to the universally accepted Mo(IV) assignment. The oxidation state assignment is supported by theoretical calculations, which reveal the presence of an unusual spin-coupled Mo(III) site. Although so far Mo(III) was not reported to occur in biology the suggestion raises interesting parallels with the known homogenous Mo catalysts for N2 reduction, where a Mo(III) compound is the N2-binding species. It also requires a reassignment of the Fe oxidation states in the cofactor.

Conformational Properties of 1-Fluoro-1-silacyclohexane, C5H10SiHF: Gas Electron Diffraction, Low-Temperature NMR, Temperature-Dependent Raman Spectroscopy, and Quantum Chemical Calculations†

The molecular structure of axial and equatorial conformers of 1-silyl-silacyclohexane, C(5)H(10)SiHSiH(3), and the thermodynamic equilibrium between these species were investigated by means of gas electron diffraction (GED), dynamic nuclear magnetic resonance (DNMR), temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations (CCSD(T), MP2 and DFT methods). According to GED, the compound exists as a mixture of two conformers possessing the chair conformation of the six-membered ring and C(s) symmetry and differing in the axial or equatorial position of the SiH(3) group (axial = 57(7) mol %/equatorial = 43(7) mol %) at T = 321 K. This corresponds to an A value (free energy difference = G(axial) - G(equatorial)) of -0.17(15) kcal mol(-1). A low-temperature (13)C NMR experiment using SiD(4) as a solvent resulted in an axial/equatorial ratio of 45(3)/55(3) mol % at 110 K corresponding to an A value of 0.05(3) kcal mol(-1), and a DeltaG(#) value of 5.7(2) kcal mol(-1) was found at 124 K. Temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy in the temperature range of 210-300 K of the neat liquid, a THF solution, and a heptane solution indicates that the axial conformer is favored over the equatorial one by 0.26(10), 0.23(10), and 0.22(10) kcal mol(-1) (DeltaH values), respectively. CCSD(T)/CBS and MP2/CBS calculations in general predict both conformations to have very similar stability and are, thus, in excellent agreement with the DNMR result but in a slight disagreement with the GED and Raman results. Two DFT functionals, that account for dispersion interactions, M06-2X/pc-3 and B2PLYP-D/QZVPP, deviate from the high-level coupled cluster and MP2 calculations by only 0.1 kcal mol(-1) on average, whereas B3LYP/pc-3 calculations greatly overestimate the stability of the equatorial conformer.

The discovery of Mo(III) in FeMoco: reuniting enzyme and model chemistry

Biological nitrogen fixation is enabled by molybdenum-dependent nitrogenase enzymes, which effect the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia using an Fe7MoS9C active site, referred to as the iron molybdenum cofactor or FeMoco. In this mini-review, we summarize the current understanding of the molecular and electronic structure of FeMoco. The advances in our understanding of the active site structure are placed in context with the parallel evolution of synthetic model studies. The recent discovery of Mo(III) in the FeMoco active site is highlighted with an emphasis placed on the important role that model studies have played in this finding. In addition, the reactivities of synthetic models are discussed in terms of their relevance to the enzymatic system.

The Fe–V Cofactor of Vanadium Nitrogenase Contains an Interstitial Carbon Atom

The first direct evidence is provided for the presence of an interstitial carbide in the Fe–V cofactor of Azotobacter vinelandii vanadium nitrogenase. As for our identification of the central carbide in the Fe–Mo cofactor, we employed Fe Kβ valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, and herein report the highly similar spectra of both variants of the cofactor-containing protein. The identification of an analogous carbide, and thus an atomically homologous active site in vanadium nitrogenase, highlights the importance and influence of both the interstitial carbide and the identity of the heteroatom on the electronic structure and catalytic activity of the enzyme.

Revisiting the Mössbauer Isomer Shifts of the FeMoco Cluster of Nitrogenase and the Cofactor Charge

Despite decades of research, the structure-activity relationship of nitrogenase is still not understood. Only recently was the full molecular structure of the FeMo cofactor (FeMoco) revealed, but the charge and metal oxidation states of FeMoco have been controversial. With the recent identification of the interstitial atom as a carbide and the more recent revised oxidation-state assignment of the molybdenum atom as Mo(III), here we revisit the Mössbauer properties of FeMoco. By a detailed error analysis of density functional theory-computed isomer shifts and computing isomer shifts relative to the P-cluster, we find that only the charge of [MoFe7S9C]1- fits the experimental data. In view of the recent Mo(III) identification, the charge of [MoFe7S9C]1- corresponds to a formal oxidation-state assignment of Mo(III)3Fe(II)4Fe(III), although due to spin delocalization, the physical oxidation state distribution might also be interpreted as Mo(III)1Fe(II)4Fe(2.5)2Fe(III), according to a localized orbital analysis of the MS = 3/2 broken symmetry solution. These results can be reconciled with the recent spatially resolved anomalous dispersion study by Einsle et al. that suggests the Mo(III)3Fe(II)4Fe(III) distribution, if some spin localization (either through interactions with the protein environment or through vibronic coupling) were to take place.

X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopic Studies of [L2Fe2S2]n Model Complexes: Implications for the Experimental Evaluation of Redox States in Iron–Sulfur Clusters

Herein, a systematic study of [L2Fe2S2]n model complexes (where L = bis(benzimidazolato) and n = 2-, 3-, 4-) has been carried out using iron and sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption (XAS) and iron Kβ and valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopies (XES). These data are used as a test set to evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of X-ray core level spectroscopies in assessing redox changes in iron–sulfur clusters. The results are correlated to density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the spectra in order to further support the quantitative information that can be extracted from the experimental data. It is demonstrated that due to canceling effects of covalency and spin state, the information that can be extracted from Fe Kβ XES mainlines is limited. However, a careful analysis of the Fe K-edge XAS data shows that localized valence vs delocalized valence species may be differentiated on the basis of the pre-edge and K-edge energies. These findings are then applied to existing literature Fe K-edge XAS data on the iron protein, P-cluster, and FeMoco sites of nitrogenase. The ability to assess the extent of delocalization in the iron protein vs the P-cluster is highlighted. In addition, possible charge states for FeMoco on the basis of Fe K-edge XAS data are discussed. This study provides an important reference for future X-ray spectroscopic studies of iron–sulfur clusters.

Molybdenum L-Edge XAS Spectra of MoFe Nitrogenase†

A molybdenum L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) study is presented for native and oxidized MoFe protein of nitrogenase as well as Mo-Fe model compounds. Recently collected data on MoFe protein (in oxidized and reduced forms) is compared to previously published Mo XAS data on the isolated FeMo cofactor in NMF solution and put in context of the recent Mo K-edge XAS study, which showed a MoIII assignment for the molybdenum atom in FeMoco. The L3-edge data are interpreted within a simple ligand-field model, from which a time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) approach is proposed as a way to provide further insights into the analysis of the molybdenum L3-edges. The calculated results reproduce well the relative spectral trends that are observed experimentally. Ultimately, these results give further support for the MoIII assignment in protein-bound FeMoco, as well as isolated FeMoco.

QM/MM Study of the Nitrogenase MoFe Protein Resting State: Broken-Symmetry States, Protonation States, and QM Region Convergence in the FeMoco Active Site

Nitrogenase is one of the most fascinating enzymes in nature, being responsible for all biological nitrogen reduction. Despite decades of research, it is among the enzymes in bioinorganic chemistry whose mechanism is the most poorly understood. The MoFe protein of nitrogenase contains an iron-molybdenum-sulfur cluster, FeMoco, where N2 reduction takes place. The resting state of FeMoco has been characterized by crystallography, multiple spectroscopic techniques, and theory (broken-symmetry density functional theory), and all heavy atoms are now characterized. The cofactor charge, however, has been controversial, the electronic structure has proved enigmatic, and little is known about the mechanism. While many computational studies have been performed on FeMoco, few have taken the protein environment properly into account. In this study, we put forward QM/MM models of the MoFe protein from Azotobacter vinelandii, centered on FeMoco. By a detailed analysis of the FeMoco geometry and comparison to the atomic resolution crystal structure, we conclude that only the [MoFe7S9C]1- charge is a possible resting state charge. Further, we find that of the three lowest energy broken-symmetry solutions of FeMoco, the BS7-235 spin isomer (where 235 refers to Fe atoms that are spin-down) is the only one that can be reconciled with experiment. This is revealed by a comparison of the metal-metal distances in the experimental crystal structure, a rare case of spin-coupling phenomena being visible through the molecular structure. This could be interpreted as the enzyme deliberately stabilizing a specific electronic state of the cofactor, possibly for tuning specific reactivity on specific metal atoms. Finally, we show that the alkoxide group on the Mo-bound homocitrate must be protonated under resting state conditions, the presence of which has implications regarding the nature of FeMoco redox states as well as for potential substrate reduction mechanisms.

Conformational properties of 1-methyl-1-germacyclohexane: low-temperature NMR and quantum chemical calculations

The conformational preference of the methyl group of 1-methyl-1-germacyclohexane was studied experimentally in solution (low-temperature 13C NMR) and by quantum chemical calculations (CCSD(T), MP2 and DFT methods). The NMR experiment resulted in an axial/equatorial ratio of 44/56xa0mol% at 114xa0K corresponding to an A value (Axa0=xa0Gaxxa0−xa0Geq) of 0.06xa0kcalxa0mol−1. An average value for ΔGe→a#xa0=xa05.0xa0±xa00.1xa0kcalxa0mol−1 was obtained for the temperature range 106–134xa0K. The experimental results are very well reproduced by the calculations. CCSD(T)/CBS calculationsxa0+xa0thermal corrections resulted in an A value of 0.02xa0kcalxa0mol−1, whereas a ΔE value of −0.01xa0kcalxa0mol−1 at 0xa0K was obtained.

X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Combined with Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory Elucidates Differential Substitution Pathways of Au(I) and Au(III) with Zinc Fingers

A combination of two elements (Au, Zn) X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) allowed the elucidation of differential substitution pathways of Au(I) and Au(III) compounds reacting with biologically relevant zinc fingers (ZnFs). Gold L3-edge XAS probed the interaction of gold and the C-terminal Cys2HisCys finger of the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein NCp7, and the Cys2His2 human transcription factor Sp1. The use of model compounds helped assign oxidation states and the identity of the gold-bound ligands. The computational studies accurately reproduced the experimental XAS spectra and allowed the proposition of structural models for the interaction products at early time points. The direct electrophilic attack on the ZnF by the highly thiophilic Au(I) resulted in a linear P-Au-Cys coordination sphere after zinc ejection whereas for the Sp1, loss of PEt3 results in linear Cys-Au-Cys or Cys-Au-His arrangements. Reactions with Au(III) compounds, on the other hand, showed multiple binding modes. Prompt reaction between [AuCl(dien)]2+ and [Au(dien)(DMAP)]3+ with Sp1 showed a partially reduced Au center and a final linear His-Au-His coordination. Differently, in the presence of NCp7, [AuCl(dien)]2+ readily reduces to Au(I) and changes from square-planar to linear geometry with Cys-Au-His coordination, while [Au(dien)(DMAP)]3+ initially maintains its Au(III) oxidation state and square-planar geometry and the same first coordination sphere. The latter is the first observation of a noncovalent interaction of a Au(III) complex with a zinc finger and confirms early hypotheses that stabilization of Au(III) occurs with N-donor ligands. Modification of the zinc coordination sphere, suggesting full or partial zinc ejection, is observed in all cases, and for [Au(dien)(DMAP)]3+ this represents a novel mechanism for nucleocapsid inactivation. The combination of XAS and TD-DFT presents the first direct experimental observation that not only compound reactivity, but also ZnF core specificity, can be modulated on the basis of the coordination sphere of Au(III) compounds.