Coenzyme B12 (aka, adenosylcobalamin, AdoCbl) biosynthesis is a major biosynthetic pathway (>25 genes) that is unique to prokaryotes. Given the complex chemistry required to assemble this coenzyme, studies of its biosynthesis offer an opportunity to learn complex enzymology and to investigate how this large pathway is integrated with other metabolic processes in the cell. Coenzyme B12 is exclusively synthesized by prokaryotes, and it is essential to the survival of many pathogens. Hence, precise knowledge of the biochemistry underpinning this major pathway, and an understanding of the structural properties of the enzymes involved, is critical to the design of inhibitors that could be used to target disease-causing bacteria or any other prokaryote of societal importance. We will apply a multifaceted approach to continue our studies of AdoCbl biosynthesis. We propose to do three things: i) an in-depth studies of the recently discovered, Fe-S-containing, oxygen-labile EutT corrinoid adenosyltransferase;ii) we will dissect the function of the CbiZ enzyme, whose role in lower ligand remodeling was recently uncovered by our group;iii) we will characterize one function of a recently-discovered 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole-riboside salvaging system found in important human pathogens. This part of the proposed work includes the initial analysis of identify the genes that encode the enzymes of the anaerobic of the lower ligand base, which in cobalamin is 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole, a pathway that remains unexplored. We will continue to collaborate with structural biologists led by Ivan Rayment (Department of Biochemistry, UW-Madison), and with transition-metal spectroscopists led by Thomas Brunold (Chemistry Department, UW-Madison). Together, we will gain molecular insights into the assembly of this complex coenzyme and its physiological roles in all cells.

Public Health Relevance

Coenzyme B12 is exclusively synthesized by prokaryotes, and it is essential to the survival of animals, including humans. Precise knowledge of the biochemistry underpinning the biosynthesis of coenzyme B12, and an understanding of the structural properties of the enzymes involved, is critical to the design of inhibitors that could be used to target disease-causing bacteria or any other prokaryote of societal importance. Recent collaborative efforts between the PI and Swiss researchers highlight the impact of knowledge gained from the studies of coenzyme B12 synthesis in our fight against cancer. A multifaceted approach will be applied to learn more about the conversion of the vitamin to its coenzyme form, to elucidate biosynthetic strategies for the lower ligand base in strict anaerobes, and to reveal how prokaryotes remodel the end product of the pathway to suit their metabolic needs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
2R37GM040313-21
Application #
7982852
Study Section
Prokaryotic Cell and Molecular Biology Study Section (PCMB)
Program Officer
Anderson, Vernon
Project Start
1988-09-01
Project End
2015-05-31
Budget Start
2010-08-01
Budget End
2011-05-31
Support Year
21
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$345,226
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Costa, Flavia G; Escalante-Semerena, Jorge C (2018) A New Class of EutT ATP:Co(I)rrinoid Adenosyltransferases Found in Listeria monocytogenes and Other Firmicutes Does Not Require a Metal Ion for Activity. Biochemistry 57:5076-5087
Mattes, Theodoric A; Escalante-Semerena, Jorge C (2018) Facile isolation of ?-ribazole from vitamin B12 hydrolysates using boronate affinity chromatography. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 1090:52-55
Stracey, Nuru G; Costa, Flavia G; Escalante-Semerena, Jorge C et al. (2018) Spectroscopic Study of the EutT Adenosyltransferase from Listeria monocytogenes: Evidence for the Formation of a Four-Coordinate Cob(II)alamin Intermediate. Biochemistry 57:5088-5095
Tavares, Norbert K; Zayas, Carmen L; Escalante-Semerena, Jorge C (2018) The Methanosarcina mazei MM2060 Gene Encodes a Bifunctional Kinase/Decarboxylase Enzyme Involved in Cobamide Biosynthesis. Biochemistry 57:4478-4495
Tavares, Norbert K; VanDrisse, Chelsey M; Escalante-Semerena, Jorge C (2018) Rhodobacterales use a unique L-threonine kinase for the assembly of the nucleotide loop of coenzyme B12. Mol Microbiol 110:239-261
Pallares, Ivan G; Moore, Theodore C; Escalante-Semerena, Jorge C et al. (2017) Spectroscopic Studies of the EutT Adenosyltransferase from Salmonella enterica: Evidence of a Tetrahedrally Coordinated Divalent Transition Metal Cofactor with Cysteine Ligation. Biochemistry 56:364-375
Mattes, Theodoric A; Escalante-Semerena, Jorge C (2017) Salmonella enterica synthesizes 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazolyl-(DMB)-?-riboside. Why some Firmicutes do not require the canonical DMB activation system to synthesize adenosylcobalamin. Mol Microbiol 103:269-281
Tavares, Norbert K; Escalante-Semerena, Jorge C (2017) A snapshot of evolution in action: emergence of new heme transport function derived from a coenzyme B12 biosynthetic enzyme. Environ Microbiol 19:8-10
Moore, Theodore C; Escalante-Semerena, Jorge C (2016) The EutQ and EutP proteins are novel acetate kinases involved in ethanolamine catabolism: physiological implications for the function of the ethanolamine metabolosome in Salmonella enterica. Mol Microbiol 99:497-511
Park, Kiyoung; Mera, Paola E; Escalante-Semerena, Jorge C et al. (2016) Resonance Raman spectroscopic study of the interaction between Co(II)rrinoids and the ATP:corrinoid adenosyltransferase PduO from Lactobacillus reuteri. J Biol Inorg Chem 21:669-81

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