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Conversion of D-ribulose 5-phosphate to D-xylulose 5-phosphate : new insights from structural and biochemical studies on human RPE.

Journal Article · · The FASEB J.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.10-171207· OSTI ID:1006272
The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) confers protection against oxidative stress by supplying NADPH necessary for the regeneration of glutathione, which detoxifies H{sub 2}O{sub 2} into H{sub 2}O and O{sub 2}. RPE functions in the PPP, catalyzing the reversible conversion of D-ribulose 5-phosphate to D-xylulose 5-phosphate and is an important enzyme for cellular response against oxidative stress. Here, using structural, biochemical, and functional studies, we show that human D-ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase (hRPE) uses Fe{sup 2+} for catalysis. Structures of the binary complexes of hRPE with D-ribulose 5-phosphate and D-xylulose 5-phosphate provide the first detailed molecular insights into the binding mode of physiological ligands and reveal an octahedrally coordinated Fe{sup 2+} ion buried deep inside the active site. Human RPE folds into a typical ({beta}/{alpha}){sub 8} triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) barrel with a loop regulating access to the active site. Two aspartic acids are well positioned to carry out the proton transfers in an acid-base type of reaction mechanism. Interestingly, mutating Ser-10 to alanine almost abolished the enzymatic activity, while L12A and M72A mutations resulted in an almost 50% decrease in the activity. The binary complexes of hRPE reported here will aid in the design of small molecules for modulating the activity of the enzyme and altering flux through the PPP.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
Sponsoring Organization:
Chinese Academy of Sciences; Ministry of Science and Technology of China; National Natural Science Foundation of China
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1006272
Report Number(s):
ANL/BIO/JA-69134
Journal Information:
The FASEB J., Journal Name: The FASEB J. Journal Issue: 1 ; Feb. 2011 Vol. 25; ISSN 0892-6638
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH