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Structural Basis for Superoxide Activation of Flavobacterium johnsoniae Class I Ribonucleotide Reductase and for Radical Initiation by Its Dimanganese Cofactor

Journal Article · · Biochemistry

A ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) from Flavobacterium johnsoniae (Fj) differs fundamentally from known (subclass a–c) class I RNRs, warranting its assignment to a new subclass, Id. Its β subunit shares with Ib counterparts the requirements for manganese(II) and superoxide (O2) for activation, but it does not require the O2-supplying flavoprotein (NrdI) needed in Ib systems, instead scavenging the oxidant from solution. Although Fj β has tyrosine at the appropriate sequence position (Tyr 104), this residue is not oxidized to a radical upon activation, as occurs in the Ia/b proteins. Rather, Fj β directly deploys an oxidized dimanganese cofactor for radical initiation. In treatment with one-electron reductants, we note the cofactor can undergo cooperative three-electron reduction to the II/II state, in contrast to the quantitative univalent reduction to inactive “met” (III/III) forms seen with I(a–c) βs. This tendency makes Fj β unusually robust, as the II/II form can readily be reactivated. The structure of the protein rationalizes its distinctive traits. A distortion in a core helix of the ferritin-like architecture renders the active site unusually open, introduces a cavity near the cofactor, and positions a subclass-d-specific Lys residue to shepherd O2 to the Mn2II/II cluster. Relative to the positions of the radical tyrosines in the Ia/b proteins, the unreactive Tyr 104 of Fj β is held away from the cofactor by a hydrogen bond with a subclass-d-specific Thr residue. Structural comparisons, considered with its uniquely simple mode of activation, suggest that the Id protein might most closely resemble the primordial RNR-β.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS); SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA (United States). Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Advanced Light Source (ALS)
Sponsoring Organization:
Searle Scholars Program; National Institutes of Health (NIH); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22); National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS); Howard Hughes Medical Institute; National Cancer Institute (NCI); Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515; AC02-05CH11231; AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1499749
Journal Information:
Biochemistry, Journal Name: Biochemistry Journal Issue: 18 Vol. 57; ISSN 0006-2960
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH

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Cited By (10)

Class Id ribonucleotide reductase utilizes a Mn2(IV,III) cofactor and undergoes large conformational changes on metal loading journal August 2019
Metal-free class Ie ribonucleotide reductase from pathogens initiates catalysis with a tyrosine-derived dihydroxyphenylalanine radical journal September 2018
Involvement of high-valent manganese-oxo intermediates in oxidation reactions: realisation in nature, nano and molecular systems journal July 2018
Assembly of a heterodinuclear Mn/Fe cofactor is coupled to tyrosine–valine ether cross-link formation in the R2-like ligand-binding oxidase journal January 2019
Redox-induced structural changes in the di-iron and di-manganese forms of Bacillus anthracis ribonucleotide reductase subunit NrdF suggest a mechanism for gating of radical access journal August 2019
A glutaredoxin domain fused to the radical-generating subunit of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) functions as an efficient RNR reductant journal August 2018
Chemical flexibility of heterobimetallic Mn/Fe cofactors: R2lox and R2c proteins journal October 2019
Assembly of a heterodinuclear Mn/Fe cofactor is coupled to tyrosine–valine ether cross-link formation in the R2-like ligand-binding oxidase text January 2019
Class Id ribonucleotide reductase utilizes a Mn2(IV,III) cofactor and undergoes large conformational changes on metal loading text January 2019
Reannotation of the Ribonucleotide Reductase in a Cyanophage Reveals Life History Strategies Within the Virioplankton journal February 2019

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