The tautomerase superfamily consists of structurally homologous enzymes based on a beta-alpha-beta motif whose members use Pro-i as the general base in tautomerization and isomerization reactions. The long-term goal of this research is to determine the molecular and structural basis for catalysis and specificity in the tautomerase superfamily. This research has implications for our understanding of fundamental enzymatic reactions and the evolution of enzymes. In addition, these studies will assist in determining the range of metabolic capabilities for various pathogenic organisms, potentially leading to the development of new drugs, and facilitate bio-remediation efforts. The focus of this application will be representative members of the 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4-OT) family. These enzymes range in size from 61-79 amino acids per monomer and all have an amino-terminal proline. The principal investigator's group has recently discovered structural and mechanistic diversity in this family. This diversity suggests that Nature used these short sequences (encoding a simple beta-alpha-beta motif) to create new structures and activities. The major specific aims will be to determine the mechanisms and structures for 1) 3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase which may use Pro-1 to activate water for an addition reaction, 2) malonate semialdehyde decarboxylase, which may use Pro-1 in a Schiff base mechanism to facilitate decarboxylation, 3) a tautomerase, which has low level isomerase and dehalogenase activities, 4) a dimeric 4-OT homologue, and 5) two closely related homologues that have tautomerase and isomerase activities but lack the conserved active site residues (except Pro-1) found in the parent member, 4-OT. Finally, experiments are proposed to improve the low-level activities and to manipulate the oligomer state by rational design. These studies will provide a better understanding of the structure/function relationships for each enzyme. A comparison of the strategies and active site structures will provide signatures for each enzymatic activity, shed light on how these activities evolved, and assist in the assignment of function. As a result, the underlying principles used in this system will be identified so that Nature's processes could be mimicked to create new activities and structures using the beta-a-beta motif.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01GM065324-01
Application #
6463912
Study Section
Biochemistry Study Section (BIO)
Program Officer
Ikeda, Richard A
Project Start
2002-04-01
Project End
2006-03-31
Budget Start
2002-04-01
Budget End
2003-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$256,667
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Austin
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
City
Austin
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78712
Huddleston, Jamison P; Wang, Susan C; Johnson, Kenneth A et al. (2017) Resolution of the uncertainty in the kinetic mechanism for the trans-3-Chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase-catalyzed reaction. Arch Biochem Biophys 623-624:9-19
Huddleston, Jamison P; Johnson Jr, William H; Schroeder, Gottfried K et al. (2015) Reactions of Cg10062, a cis-3-Chloroacrylic Acid Dehalogenase Homologue, with Acetylene and Allene Substrates: Evidence for a Hydration-Dependent Decarboxylation. Biochemistry 54:3009-23
Huddleston, Jamison P; Burks, Elizabeth A; Whitman, Christian P (2014) Identification and characterization of new family members in the tautomerase superfamily: analysis and implications. Arch Biochem Biophys 564:189-96
Schroeder, Gottfried K; Huddleston, Jamison P; Johnson Jr, William H et al. (2013) A mutational analysis of the active site loop residues in cis-3-Chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase. Biochemistry 52:4204-16
Poelarends, Gerrit J; Serrano, Hector; Huddleston, Jamison P et al. (2013) A mutational analysis of active site residues in trans-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase. FEBS Lett 587:2842-50
Guo, Youzhong; Serrano, Hector; Poelarends, Gerrit J et al. (2013) Kinetic, mutational, and structural analysis of malonate semialdehyde decarboxylase from Coryneform bacterium strain FG41: mechanistic implications for the decarboxylase and hydratase activities. Biochemistry 52:4830-41
Huddleston, Jamison P; Schroeder, Gottfried K; Johnson, Kenneth A et al. (2012) A pre-steady state kinetic analysis of the ?Y60W mutant of trans-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase: implications for the mechanism of the wild-type enzyme. Biochemistry 51:9420-35
Schroeder, Gottfried K; Johnson Jr, William H; Huddleston, Jamison P et al. (2012) Reaction of cis-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase with an allene substrate, 2,3-butadienoate: hydration via an enamine. J Am Chem Soc 134:293-304
Guo, Youzhong; Serrano, Hector; Johnson Jr, William H et al. (2011) Crystal structures of native and inactivated cis-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase: Implications for the catalytic and inactivation mechanisms. Bioorg Chem 39:1-9
Sevastik, Robin; Whitman, Christian P; Himo, Fahmi (2009) Reaction mechanism of cis-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase: a theoretical study. Biochemistry 48:9641-9

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