Molecular oxygen is utilized by aerobic organisms to perform a variety of demanding oxidative transformations, such as the conversion of cysteine to cysteine sulfinic acid catalyzed by cysteine dioxygenase (CDO). However, aerobic metabolism also leads to various side reactions that produce reactive oxygen species, such as the superoxide anion (O2-). Nature has therefore developed an effective strategy for O2- removal that involves metalloenzymes known as superoxide dismutases (SODs), which require either Fe, Mn, Cu/Zn, or Ni metal cofactors for catalytic activity. Found in all aerobic organisms, SODs disproportionate the superoxide radical to O2 and H2O2. The Long-Term Objectives of the research outlined in this proposal are: 7 To identify key geometric and electronic structural features of the Fe- and MnSODs that contribute to the high catalytic rates of these enzymes. 7 To obtain molecular level insight into the reaction mechanisms of SODs and CDO. 7 To utilize our knowledge for engineering novel enzymatic functions into FeSOD. With these goals in mind, we have formulated the following Specific Aims: 1. Elucidate the mechanism of long-range tuning of the active site properties in Fe- and MnSODs. 2. Explore the means by which the so-called cambialistic SODs overcome the challenge of providing an active-site environment that tolerates both Fe- and Mn-supported activity. 3. Obtain molecular-level insight into the catalytic mechanisms of Fe- and MnSODs. 4. Identify key structural elements for Ni-supported SOD activity. 5. Investigate structure/function relationships and the catalytic mechanism of CDO. 6. Engineer CDO activity into FeSOD. To accomplish these goals, we will use a combined spectroscopic/computational approach for studying the resting states and substrate (analog) complexes of the native enzymes and selected mutants. The Fe- and MnSODs provide almost ideal protein scaffolds for investigating the mechanisms of long- range tuning of active-site properties, such as the metal ion reduction potential and substrate (analog)/active site interactions. By extending our studies to NiSOD and CDO, we can test and refine our hypotheses regarding the principles by which outer-sphere amino acid residues contribute to the optimization of metalloenzyme active sites. From a practical point of view, insights gained in our proposed studies may provide the basis for the rational design of SOD and CDO mimics for pharmaceutical applications, such as the treatment of Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease. Both the superoxide radical anion and free cysteine have been shown to play a role in several neurodegenerative diseases, including motor neuron disease, Parkinson disease, and Alzheimer disease. Under normal circumstances, the concentration of these species is maintained at very low levels by superoxide dismutases and cysteine dioxygenase, which are the focus of this proposal. Insights gained in our proposed studies may provide a suitable basis for the rational design of enzyme mimics for pharmaceutical applications, such as the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM064631-08
Application #
7739489
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BCMB-B (02))
Program Officer
Anderson, Vernon
Project Start
2001-12-01
Project End
2011-11-30
Budget Start
2009-12-01
Budget End
2010-11-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$248,163
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Chemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Broering, Ellen P; Dillon, Stephanie; Gale, Eric M et al. (2015) Accessing Ni(III)-thiolate versus Ni(II)-thiyl bonding in a family of Ni-N2S2 synthetic models of NiSOD. Inorg Chem 54:3815-28
Ryan, Kelly C; Guce, Abigail I; Johnson, Olivia E et al. (2015) Nickel superoxide dismutase: structural and functional roles of His1 and its H-bonding network. Biochemistry 54:1016-27
Blaesi, Elizabeth J; Fox, Brian G; Brunold, Thomas C (2015) Spectroscopic and Computational Investigation of the H155A Variant of Cysteine Dioxygenase: Geometric and Electronic Consequences of a Third-Sphere Amino Acid Substitution. Biochemistry 54:2874-84
Blaesi, Elizabeth J; Fox, Brian G; Brunold, Thomas C (2014) Spectroscopic and computational investigation of iron(III) cysteine dioxygenase: implications for the nature of the putative superoxo-Fe(III) intermediate. Biochemistry 53:5759-70
Gutman, Craig T; Guzei, Ilia A; Brunold, Thomas C (2013) Structural, spectroscopic, and computational characterization of the azide adduct of Fe(III)(2,6-diacetylpyridinebis(semioxamazide)), a functional analogue of iron superoxide dismutase. Inorg Chem 52:8909-18
Blaesi, Elizabeth J; Gardner, Jessica D; Fox, Brian G et al. (2013) Spectroscopic and computational characterization of the NO adduct of substrate-bound Fe(II) cysteine dioxygenase: insights into the mechanism of O2 activation. Biochemistry 52:6040-51
Jackson, Timothy A; Gutman, Craig T; Maliekal, James et al. (2013) Geometric and electronic structures of manganese-substituted iron superoxide dismutase. Inorg Chem 52:3356-67
Gutman, Craig T; Brunold, Thomas C (2012) Spectroscopic and computational studies of a small-molecule functional mimic of iron superoxide dismutase, iron 2,6-diacetylpyridinebis(semioxamazide). Inorg Chem 51:12729-37
Johnson, Olivia E; Ryan, Kelly C; Maroney, Michael J et al. (2010) Spectroscopic and computational investigation of three Cys-to-Ser mutants of nickel superoxide dismutase: insight into the roles played by the Cys2 and Cys6 active-site residues. J Biol Inorg Chem 15:777-93
Van Heuvelen, Katherine M; Cho, Jaeheung; Dingee, Timothy et al. (2010) Spectroscopic and computational studies of a series of high-spin Ni(II) thiolate complexes. Inorg Chem 49:6535-44

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