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Title: Structural Studies of Apo Nosl, an Accessory Protein of the Nitrous Oxide Reductase System: Insights from Structural Homology with MerB, a Mercury Resistance Protein

Journal Article · · Biochemistry, 45(40):12240-12252
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/bi061089· OSTI ID:937386

The formation of the unique catalytic tetranuclear copper cluster (CuZ) of nitrous oxide reductase, N2OR, requires the coexpression of a multiprotein assembly apparatus encoded by the nosDFYL operon. NosL, one of the proteins encoded by this transcript, is a 20 kDa lipoprotein of the periplasm that has been shown to bind copper(I), although its function has yet to be detemined. Cu(I) EXAFS data collected on the holo protein demonstrated that features of the copper binding site are consistent with a role for this protein as a metallochaperone, a class of metal ion transporters involved in metal resistance, homeostasis, and metallocluster biosynthesis. To test this hypothesis and to gain insight into other potential functional roles for this protein in the N2OR system, the three-dimensional solution structure of apo NosL has been solved by solution NMR methods. The structure of apo NosL consists of two relatively independent homologous domains that adopt an unusual topology.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
937386
Journal Information:
Biochemistry, 45(40):12240-12252, Vol. 45, Issue 40
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English