Biochemical Journal 2013-04-15

Structure of a class III engineered cephalosporin acylase: comparisons with class I acylase and implications for differences in substrate specificity and catalytic activity.

Emily Golden, Rachel Paterson, Wan Jun Tie, Anandhi Anandan, Gavin Flematti, Gianluca Molla, Elena Rosini, Loredano Pollegioni, Alice Vrielink

Index: Biochem. J. 451(2) , 217-26, (2013)

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Abstract

The crystal structure of the wild-type form of glutaryl-7-ACA (7-aminocephalosporanic acid) acylase from Pseudomonas N176 and a double mutant of the protein (H57βS/H70βS) that displays enhanced catalytic efficiency on cephalosporin C over glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid has been determined. The structures show a heterodimer made up of an α-chain (229 residues) and a β-chain (543 residues) with a deep cavity, which constitutes the active site. Comparison of the wild-type and mutant structures provides insights into the molecular reasons for the observed enhanced specificity on cephalosporin C over glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid and offers the basis to evolve a further improved enzyme variant. The nucleophilic catalytic serine residue, Ser(1β), is situated at the base of the active site cavity. The electron density reveals a ligand covalently bound to the catalytic serine residue, such that a tetrahedral adduct is formed. This is proposed to mimic the transition state of the enzyme for both the maturation step and the catalysis of the substrates. A view of the transition state configuration of the enzyme provides important insights into the mechanism of substrate binding and catalysis.