Author Report for: Savchenko ANo contact information in database for Savchenko A
Arellano-Saab A, Skarina T, Xu Z, McErlean CSP, Savchenko A, Lumba S, Stogios PJ, McCourt P Ref: Nat Plants, 9:883, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Arellano-Saab_2023_Nat.Plants_9_883 PubMedSearch: Arellano-Saab 2023 Nat.Plants 9 883 PubMedID: 37264151 Gene_locus related to this paper: strhe-ShHTL5 Abstract Strigolactones (SLs) regulate many aspects of plant development, but ambiguities remain about how this hormone is perceived because SL-complexed receptor structures do not exist. We find that when SL binds the Striga receptor, ShHTL5, a series of conformational changes relative to the unbound state occur, but these events are not sufficient for signalling. Ligand-complexed receptors, however, form internal tunnels that posit an explanation for how SL exits its receptor after hydrolysis. Title: Thermophilic Carboxylesterases from Hydrothermal Vents of the Volcanic Island of Ischia Active on Synthetic and Biobased Polymers and Mycotoxins Distaso MA, Chernikova TN, Bargiela R, Coscolin C, Stogios P, Gonzalez-Alfonso JL, Lemak S, Khusnutdinova AN, Plou FJ and Golyshin PN <7 more author(s)> Distaso MA, Chernikova TN, Bargiela R, Coscolin C, Stogios P, Gonzalez-Alfonso JL, Lemak S, Khusnutdinova AN, Plou FJ, Evdokimova E, Savchenko A, Lunev EA, Yakimov MM, Golyshina OV, Ferrer M, Yakunin AF, Golyshin PN (- 7) Ref: Applied Environmental Microbiology, :e0170422, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Distaso_2023_Appl.Environ.Microbiol__e0170422 PubMedSearch: Distaso 2023 Appl.Environ.Microbiol e0170422 PubMedID: 36719236 Gene_locus related to this paper: 9bact-estC55.8n1, 9bact-IS10 Abstract Hydrothermal vents are geographically widespread and host microorganisms with robust enzymes useful in various industrial applications. We examined microbial communities and carboxylesterases of two terrestrial hydrothermal vents of the volcanic island of Ischia (Italy) predominantly composed of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidota. High-temperature enrichment cultures with the polyester plastics polyhydroxybutyrate and polylactic acid (PLA) resulted in an increase of Thermus and Geobacillus species and to some extent Fontimonas and Schleiferia species. The screening at 37 to 70 degreesC of metagenomic fosmid libraries from above enrichment cultures identified three hydrolases (IS10, IS11, and IS12), all derived from yet-uncultured Chloroflexota and showing low sequence identity (33 to 56%) to characterized enzymes. Enzymes expressed in Escherichia coli exhibited maximal esterase activity at 70 to 90 degreesC, with IS11 showing the highest thermostability (90% activity after 20-min incubation at 80 degreesC). IS10 and IS12 were highly substrate promiscuous and hydrolyzed all 51 monoester substrates tested. Enzymes were active with PLA, polyethylene terephthalate model substrate, and mycotoxin T-2 (IS12). IS10 and IS12 had a classical alpha/beta-hydrolase core domain with a serine hydrolase catalytic triad (Ser155, His280, and Asp250) in their hydrophobic active sites. The crystal structure of IS11 resolved at 2.92 A revealed the presence of a N-terminal beta-lactamase-like domain and C-terminal lipocalin domain. The catalytic cleft of IS11 included catalytic Ser68, Lys71, Tyr160, and Asn162, whereas the lipocalin domain enclosed the catalytic cleft like a lid and contributed to substrate binding. Our study identified novel thermotolerant carboxylesterases with a broad substrate range, including polyesters and mycotoxins, for potential applications in biotechnology. IMPORTANCE High-temperature-active microbial enzymes are important biocatalysts for many industrial applications, including recycling of synthetic and biobased polyesters increasingly used in textiles, fibers, coatings and adhesives. Here, we identified three novel thermotolerant carboxylesterases (IS10, IS11, and IS12) from high-temperature enrichment cultures from Ischia hydrothermal vents and incubated with biobased polymers. The identified metagenomic enzymes originated from uncultured Chloroflexota and showed low sequence similarity to known carboxylesterases. Active sites of IS10 and IS12 had the largest effective volumes among the characterized prokaryotic carboxylesterases and exhibited high substrate promiscuity, including hydrolysis of polyesters and mycotoxin T-2 (IS12). Though less promiscuous than IS10 and IS12, IS11 had a higher thermostability with a high temperature optimum (80 to 90 degreesC) for activity and hydrolyzed polyesters, and its crystal structure revealed an unusual lipocalin domain likely involved in substrate binding. The polyesterase activity of these enzymes makes them attractive candidates for further optimization and potential application in plastics recycling. Title: Structural insights into hydrolytic defluorination of difluoroacetate by microbial fluoroacetate dehalogenases Khusnutdinova AN, Batyrova KA, Brown G, Fedorchuk T, Chai YS, Skarina T, Flick R, Petit AP, Savchenko A and Yakunin AF <1 more author(s)> Khusnutdinova AN, Batyrova KA, Brown G, Fedorchuk T, Chai YS, Skarina T, Flick R, Petit AP, Savchenko A, Stogios P, Yakunin AF (- 1) Ref: Febs J, :, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Khusnutdinova_2023_FEBS.J__ PubMedSearch: Khusnutdinova 2023 FEBS.J PubMedID: 37437000 Gene_locus related to this paper: anasp-ALR0039, decar-q479b8 Abstract Fluorine forms the strongest single bond to carbon with the highest bond dissociation energy among natural products. However, fluoroacetate dehalogenases (FADs) have been shown to hydrolyze this bond in fluoroacetate under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, two recent studies demonstrated that the FAD RPA1163 from Rhodopseudomonas palustris can also accept bulkier substrates. In this study, we explored the substrate promiscuity of microbial FADs and their ability to defluorinate polyfluorinated organic acids. Enzymatic screening of eight purified dehalogenases with reported fluoroacetate defluorination activity revealed significant hydrolytic activity against difluoroacetate in three proteins. Product analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified glyoxylic acid as the final product of enzymatic DFA defluorination. The crystal structures of DAR3835 from Dechloromonas aromatica and NOS0089 from Nostoc sp. were determined in the apo-state along with the DAR3835 H274N glycolyl intermediate. Structure-based site-directed mutagenesis of DAR3835 demonstrated a key role for the catalytic triad and other active site residues in the defluorination of both fluoroacetate and difluoroacetate. Computational analysis of the dimer structures of DAR3835, NOS0089, and RPA1163 indicated the presence of one substrate access tunnel in each protomer. Moreover, protein-ligand docking simulations suggested similar catalytic mechanisms for the defluorination of both fluoroacetate and difluoroacetate, with difluoroacetate being defluorinated via two consecutive defluorination reactions producing glyoxylate as the final product. Thus, our findings provide molecular insights into substrate promiscuity and catalytic mechanism of FADs, which are promising biocatalysts for applications in synthetic chemistry and bioremediation of fluorochemicals. Title: A novel strigolactone receptor antagonist provides insights into the structural inhibition, conditioning, and germination of the crop parasite Striga Arellano-Saab A, McErlean CSP, Lumba S, Savchenko A, Stogios PJ, McCourt P Ref: Journal of Biological Chemistry, :101734, 2022 : PubMed ESTHER: Arellano-Saab_2022_J.Biol.Chem_298_101734 PubMedSearch: Arellano-Saab 2022 J.Biol.Chem 298 101734 PubMedID: 35181340 Gene_locus related to this paper: strhe-ShHTL7 Inhibitor(s) related to this paper: RG6 Abstract Crop parasites of the Striga genera are a major biological deterrent to food security in Africa and are one of the largest obstacles to poverty alleviation on the continent. Striga seeds germinate by sensing small-molecule hormones, strigolactones (SLs), that emanate from host roots. Although SL receptors (ShHTLs) have been identified, discerning their function has been difficult because these parasites cannot be easily grown under laboratory conditions. Moreover, many Striga species are obligate outcrossers that are not transformable, hence not amenable to genetic analysis. By combining phenotypic screening with ShHTL structural information and hybrid drug discovery methods, we discovered a potent SL perception inhibitor for Striga, dormirazine. Structural analysis of this piperazine-based antagonist reveals a novel binding mechanism, distinct from that of known SLs, blocking access of the hormone to its receptor. Furthermore, dormirazine reduces the flexibility of protein-protein interaction domains important for receptor signaling to downstream partners. In planta, we show, via temporal additions of dormirazine, that SL receptors are required at a specific time during seed conditioning. This conditioning is essential to prime seed germination at the right time; thus, this SL-sensitive stage appears to be critical for adequate receptor signaling. Aside from uncovering a function for ShHTL during seed conditioning, these results suggest that future Ag-biotech solutions to Striga infestations will need to carefully time the application of antagonists to exploit receptor availability and outcompete natural SLs, critical elements for successful parasitic plant invasions. Title: Megaphylogeny resolves global patterns of mushroom evolution Varga T, Krizsan K, Foldi C, Dima B, Sanchez-Garcia M, Sanchez-Ramirez S, Szollosi GJ, Szarkandi JG, Papp V and Nagy LG <52 more author(s)> Varga T, Krizsan K, Foldi C, Dima B, Sanchez-Garcia M, Sanchez-Ramirez S, Szollosi GJ, Szarkandi JG, Papp V, Albert L, Andreopoulos W, Angelini C, Antonin V, Barry KW, Bougher NL, Buchanan P, Buyck B, Bense V, Catcheside P, Chovatia M, Cooper J, Damon W, Desjardin D, Finy P, Geml J, Haridas S, Hughes K, Justo A, Karasinski D, Kautmanova I, Kiss B, Kocsube S, Kotiranta H, LaButti KM, Lechner BE, Liimatainen K, Lipzen A, Lukacs Z, Mihaltcheva S, Morgado LN, Niskanen T, Noordeloos ME, Ohm RA, Ortiz-Santana B, Ovrebo C, Racz N, Riley R, Savchenko A, Shiryaev A, Soop K, Spirin V, Szebenyi C, Tomsovsky M, Tulloss RE, Uehling J, Grigoriev IV, Vagvolgyi C, Papp T, Martin FM, Miettinen O, Hibbett DS, Nagy LG (- 52) Ref: Nat Ecol Evol, 3:668, 2019 : PubMed ESTHER: Varga_2019_Nat.Ecol.Evol_3_668 PubMedSearch: Varga 2019 Nat.Ecol.Evol 3 668 PubMedID: 30886374 Gene_locus related to this paper: 9aphy-a0a5c3ppg9, 9aphy-a0a371d1b5, 9agam-a0a5c3ngv5, 9aphy-a0a5c3nsu3, 9agar-a0a4s8mrh7, 9agar-a0a4s8mil0 Abstract Mushroom-forming fungi (Agaricomycetes) have the greatest morphological diversity and complexity of any group of fungi. They have radiated into most niches and fulfil diverse roles in the ecosystem, including wood decomposers, pathogens or mycorrhizal mutualists. Despite the importance of mushroom-forming fungi, large-scale patterns of their evolutionary history are poorly known, in part due to the lack of a comprehensive and dated molecular phylogeny. Here, using multigene and genome-based data, we assemble a 5,284-species phylogenetic tree and infer ages and broad patterns of speciation/extinction and morphological innovation in mushroom-forming fungi. Agaricomycetes started a rapid class-wide radiation in the Jurassic, coinciding with the spread of (sub)tropical coniferous forests and a warming climate. A possible mass extinction, several clade-specific adaptive radiations and morphological diversification of fruiting bodies followed during the Cretaceous and the Paleogene, convergently giving rise to the classic toadstool morphology, with a cap, stalk and gills (pileate-stipitate morphology). This morphology is associated with increased rates of lineage diversification, suggesting it represents a key innovation in the evolution of mushroom-forming fungi. The increase in mushroom diversity started during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic radiation event, an era of humid climate when terrestrial communities dominated by gymnosperms and reptiles were also expanding. Title: Screening and Characterization of Novel Polyesterases from Environmental Metagenomes with High Hydrolytic Activity against Synthetic Polyesters Hajighasemi M, Tchigvintsev A, Nocek B, Flick R, Popovic A, Hai T, Khusnutdinova AN, Brown G, Xu X and Yakunin AF <11 more author(s)> Hajighasemi M, Tchigvintsev A, Nocek B, Flick R, Popovic A, Hai T, Khusnutdinova AN, Brown G, Xu X, Cui H, Anstett J, Chernikova TN, Bruls T, Le Paslier D, Yakimov MM, Joachimiak A, Golyshina OV, Savchenko A, Golyshin PN, Edwards EA, Yakunin AF (- 11) Ref: Environ Sci Technol, 52:12388, 2018 : PubMed ESTHER: Hajighasemi_2018_Environ.Sci.Technol_52_12388 PubMedSearch: Hajighasemi 2018 Environ.Sci.Technol 52 12388 PubMedID: 30284819 Gene_locus related to this paper: 9zzzz-a0a0g3fj39, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fj48, 9zzzz-A0A0G3FEJ8, 9bact-a4uz10 Abstract The continuous growth of global plastics production, including polyesters, has resulted in increasing plastic pollution and subsequent negative environmental impacts. Therefore, enzyme-catalyzed depolymerization of synthetic polyesters as a plastics recycling approach has become a focus of research. In this study, we screened over 200 purified uncharacterized hydrolases from environmental metagenomes and sequenced microbial genomes and identified at least 10 proteins with high hydrolytic activity against synthetic polyesters. These include the metagenomic esterases MGS0156 and GEN0105, which hydrolyzed polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone, as well as bis(benzoyloxyethyl)-terephthalate. With solid PLA as a substrate, both enzymes produced a mixture of lactic acid monomers, dimers, and higher oligomers as products. The crystal structure of MGS0156 was determined at 1.95 A resolution and revealed a modified alpha/beta hydrolase fold, with a lid domain and highly hydrophobic active site. Mutational studies of MGS0156 identified the residues critical for hydrolytic activity against both polyester and monoester substrates, with two-times higher polyesterase activity in the MGS0156 L169A mutant protein. Thus, our work identified novel, highly active polyesterases in environmental metagenomes and provided molecular insights into their activity, thereby augmenting our understanding of enzymatic polyester hydrolysis. Title: Determinants and prediction of esterase substrate promiscuity patterns Martinez-Martinez M, Coscolin C, Santiago G, Chow J, Stogios PJ, Bargiela R, Gertler C, Navarro-Fernandez J, Bollinger A and Ferrer M <32 more author(s)> Martinez-Martinez M, Coscolin C, Santiago G, Chow J, Stogios PJ, Bargiela R, Gertler C, Navarro-Fernandez J, Bollinger A, Thies S, Mendez-Garcia C, Popovic A, Brown G, Chernikova TN, Garcia-Moyano A, Bjergah GE, Perez-Garcia P, Hai T, Del Pozo MV, Stokke R, Steen IH, Cui H, Xu X, Nocek BP, Alcaide M, Distaso M, Mesa V, Pelaez AI, Sanchez J, Buchholz PCF, Pleiss J, Fernandez-Guerra A, Glockner FO, Golyshina OV, Yakimov MM, Savchenko A, Jaeger KE, Yakunin AF, Streit WR, Golyshin PN, Guallar V, Ferrer M (- 32) Ref: ACS Chemical Biology, 13:225, 2018 : PubMed ESTHER: Martinez-Martinez_2018_ACS.Chem.Biol_13_225 PubMedSearch: Martinez-Martinez 2018 ACS.Chem.Biol 13 225 PubMedID: 29182315 Gene_locus related to this paper: 9zzzz-a0a2k8jn75, 9zzzz-a0a2k8jt94, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fj44, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fh10, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fh03, 9bact-a0a1s5qkj8, 9zzzz-a0a0g3feh5, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fkz4, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fh07, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fh34, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fh31, 9bact-KY458167, alcbs-q0vqa3, 9bact-a0a1s5qki8, 9zzzz-a0a0g3feq8, 9zzzz-a0a0g3feh8, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fh19, 9bact-KY203037, 9bact-a0a1s5ql22, 9bact-a0a1s5qm34, 9bact-KY203034, 9bact-r9qzg0, 9bact-a0a1s5qly8, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fkz8, 9zzzz-a0a0g3feg9, 9zzzz-KY203033, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fes4, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fh42, 9bact-a0a1s5qlx2, 9zzzz-KY483651, 9bact-a0a1s5qmh4, 9zzzz-KY203032, 9zzzz-EH87, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fei1, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fet2, 9zzzz-KY483647, 9zzzz-EH82, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fe15, 9bact-KY203031, 9bact-t1w006, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fet6, 9bact-KY458164, geoth-g8myf3, 9bact-a0a1s5ql04, 9gamm-a0a1y0ihk7, 9bact-a0a1s5qly6, 9bact-a0a1s5qkg4, 9bact-a0a1s5qkm4, 9gamm-s5tv80, 9gamm-a0a0c4zhg2, 9zzzz-t1b379, 9gamm-KY483646, 9bact-KY458160, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fj57, 9gamm-s5t8349, 9arch-KY203036, 9bact-KY458168, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fes0, 9zzzz-t1be47, 9bact-KY458159, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fh39, 9bact-t1vzd5, 9prot-EH41, 9bact-Lip114, alcbs-q0vt77, 9bact-a0a1s5qke6, 9bact-a0a1s5qkf3, 9prot-SRP030024, 9gamm-s5t532, 9bact-a0a1s5qkl2, 9bact-a0a1s5qkk8, 9zzzz-KY203030, 9zzzz-t1d4I7, 9prot-KY019260, 9bact-a0a1s5qm38, 9arch-KY458161, 9prot-KY010302, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fl25, 9actn-KY010298, 9gamm-s5u059, 9bact-a0a1s5qmi7, 9bact-KY010297, 9bact-KY483642, 9bact-a0a1s5qkj1, 9bact-KY010299, 9bact-KY483648, alcbs-q0vtl7, 9bact-a0a1s5qf1, 9bact-a0a1s5qkg0, 9bact-a0a0h4tgu6, 9bact-MilE3, 9bact-LAE6, 9alte-MGS-MT1, 9bact-r9qzf7, 9gamm-k0c6t6, alcbs-q0vl36, alcbs-q0vlq1, alcbs-q0vq49, bacsu-pnbae, canar-LipB, canan-lipasA, geost-lipas, marav-a1u5n0, pseps-i7k8x5, staep-GEHD, symth-q67mr3, altma-s5cfn7, cycsp-k0c2b8, alcbs-q0vlk5, 9bact-k7qe48, 9bact-MGS-M1, 9bact-MGS-M2, 9bact-a0a0b5kns5, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fej4, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fj60, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fej0, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fj64, 9bact-a0a0b5kc16, 9zzzz-a0a0g3feg6, 9zzzz-a0a0g3feu6 Abstract Esterases receive special attention because their wide distribution in biological systems and environments and their importance for physiology and chemical synthesis. The prediction of esterases substrate promiscuity level from sequence data and the molecular reasons why certain such enzymes are more promiscuous than others, remain to be elucidated. This limits the surveillance of the sequence space for esterases potentially leading to new versatile biocatalysts and new insights into their role in cellular function. Here we performed an extensive analysis of the substrate spectra of 145 phylogenetically and environmentally diverse microbial esterases, when tested with 96 diverse esters. We determined the primary factors shaping their substrate range by analyzing substrate range patterns in combination with structural analysis and protein-ligand simulations. We found a structural parameter that helps ranking (classifying) promiscuity level of esterases from sequence data at 94% accuracy. This parameter, the active site effective volume, exemplifies the topology of the catalytic environment by measuring the active site cavity volume corrected by the relative solvent accessible surface area (SASA) of the catalytic triad. Sequences encoding esterases with active site effective volumes (cavity volume/SASA) above a threshold show greater substrate spectra, which can be further extended in combination with phylogenetic data. This measure provides also a valuable tool for interrogating substrates capable of being converted. This measure, found to be transferred to phosphatases of the haloalkanoic acid dehalogenase superfamily and possibly other enzymatic systems, represents a powerful tool for low-cost bioprospecting for esterases with broad substrate ranges, in large scale sequence datasets. Title: Activity screening of environmental metagenomic libraries reveals novel carboxylesterase families Popovic A, Hai T, Tchigvintsev A, Hajighasemi M, Nocek B, Khusnutdinova AN, Brown G, Glinos J, Flick R and Yakunin AF <11 more author(s)> Popovic A, Hai T, Tchigvintsev A, Hajighasemi M, Nocek B, Khusnutdinova AN, Brown G, Glinos J, Flick R, Skarina T, Chernikova TN, Yim V, Bruls T, Paslier DL, Yakimov MM, Joachimiak A, Ferrer M, Golyshina OV, Savchenko A, Golyshin PN, Yakunin AF (- 11) Ref: Sci Rep, 7:44103, 2017 : PubMed ESTHER: Popovic_2017_Sci.Rep_7_44103 PubMedSearch: Popovic 2017 Sci.Rep 7 44103 PubMedID: 28272521 Gene_locus related to this paper: 9zzzz-a0a0g3fj39, 9zzzz-a0a0g3fj48, 9zzzz-A0A0G3FEJ8 Abstract Metagenomics has made accessible an enormous reserve of global biochemical diversity. To tap into this vast resource of novel enzymes, we have screened over one million clones from metagenome DNA libraries derived from sixteen different environments for carboxylesterase activity and identified 714 positive hits. We have validated the esterase activity of 80 selected genes, which belong to 17 different protein families including unknown and cyclase-like proteins. Three metagenomic enzymes exhibited lipase activity, and seven proteins showed polyester depolymerization activity against polylactic acid and polycaprolactone. Detailed biochemical characterization of four new enzymes revealed their substrate preference, whereas their catalytic residues were identified using site-directed mutagenesis. The crystal structure of the metal-ion dependent esterase MGS0169 from the amidohydrolase superfamily revealed a novel active site with a bound unknown ligand. Thus, activity-centered metagenomics has revealed diverse enzymes and novel families of microbial carboxylesterases, whose activity could not have been predicted using bioinformatics tools. Title: Biochemical and Structural Insights into Enzymatic Depolymerization of Polylactic Acid and Other Polyesters by Microbial Carboxylesterases Hajighasemi M, Nocek BP, Tchigvintsev A, Brown G, Flick R, Xu X, Cui H, Hai T, Joachimiak A and Yakunin AF <3 more author(s)> Hajighasemi M, Nocek BP, Tchigvintsev A, Brown G, Flick R, Xu X, Cui H, Hai T, Joachimiak A, Golyshin PN, Savchenko A, Edwards EA, Yakunin AF (- 3) Ref: Biomacromolecules, 17:2027, 2016 : PubMed ESTHER: Hajighasemi_2016_Biomacromolecules_17_2027 PubMedSearch: Hajighasemi 2016 Biomacromolecules 17 2027 PubMedID: 27087107 Gene_locus related to this paper: marav-a1u5n0, rhopa-q6n9m9, alcbs-q0vlq1 Abstract Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polyester derived from renewable resources, which is a leading candidate for the replacement of traditional petroleum-based polymers. Since the global production of PLA is quickly growing, there is an urgent need for the development of efficient recycling technologies, which will produce lactic acid instead of CO2 as the final product. After screening 90 purified microbial alpha/beta-hydrolases, we identified hydrolytic activity against emulsified PLA in two uncharacterized proteins, ABO2449 from Alcanivorax borkumensis and RPA1511 from Rhodopseudomonas palustris. Both enzymes were also active against emulsified polycaprolactone and other polyesters as well as against soluble alpha-naphthyl and p-nitrophenyl monoesters. In addition, both ABO2449 and RPA1511 catalyzed complete or extensive hydrolysis of solid PLA with the production of lactic acid monomers, dimers, and larger oligomers as products. The crystal structure of RPA1511 was determined at 2.2 A resolution and revealed a classical alpha/beta-hydrolase fold with a wide-open active site containing a molecule of polyethylene glycol bound near the catalytic triad Ser114-His270-Asp242. Site-directed mutagenesis of both proteins demonstrated that the catalytic triad residues are important for the hydrolysis of both monoester and polyester substrates. We also identified several residues in RPA1511 (Gln172, Leu212, Met215, Trp218, and Leu220) and ABO2449 (Phe38 and Leu152), which were not essential for activity against soluble monoesters but were found to be critical for the hydrolysis of PLA. Our results indicate that microbial carboxyl esterases can efficiently hydrolyze various polyesters making them attractive biocatalysts for plastics depolymerization and recycling. Title: Pressure adaptation is linked to thermal adaptation in salt-saturated marine habitats Alcaide M, Stogios PJ, Lafraya A, Tchigvintsev A, Flick R, Bargiela R, Chernikova TN, Reva ON, Hai T and Ferrer M <11 more author(s)> Alcaide M, Stogios PJ, Lafraya A, Tchigvintsev A, Flick R, Bargiela R, Chernikova TN, Reva ON, Hai T, Leggewie CC, Katzke N, La Cono V, Matesanz R, Jebbar M, Jaeger KE, Yakimov MM, Yakunin AF, Golyshin PN, Golyshina OV, Savchenko A, Ferrer M (- 11) Ref: Environ Microbiol, 17:332, 2015 : PubMed ESTHER: Alcaide_2015_Environ.Microbiol_17_332 PubMedSearch: Alcaide 2015 Environ.Microbiol 17 332 PubMedID: 25330254 Gene_locus related to this paper: 9alte-MGS-MT1, 9bact-MGS-M1, 9bact-MGS-M2, 9bact-a0a0b5kns5 Abstract The present study provides a deeper view of protein functionality as a function of temperature, salt and pressure in deep-sea habitats. A set of eight different enzymes from five distinct deep-sea (3040-4908 m depth), moderately warm (14.0-16.5 degrees C) biotopes, characterized by a wide range of salinities (39-348 practical salinity units), were investigated for this purpose. An enzyme from a 'superficial' marine hydrothermal habitat (65 degrees C) was isolated and characterized for comparative purposes. We report here the first experimental evidence suggesting that in salt-saturated deep-sea habitats, the adaptation to high pressure is linked to high thermal resistance (P value = 0.0036). Salinity might therefore increase the temperature window for enzyme activity, and possibly microbial growth, in deep-sea habitats. As an example, Lake Medee, the largest hypersaline deep-sea anoxic lake of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, where the water temperature is never higher than 16 degrees C, was shown to contain halopiezophilic-like enzymes that are most active at 70 degrees C and with denaturing temperatures of 71.4 degrees C. The determination of the crystal structures of five proteins revealed unknown molecular mechanisms involved in protein adaptation to poly-extremes as well as distinct active site architectures and substrate preferences relative to other structurally characterized enzymes. Title: The environment shapes microbial enzymes: five cold-active and salt-resistant carboxylesterases from marine metagenomes Tchigvintsev A, Tran H, Popovic A, Kovacic F, Brown G, Flick R, Hajighasemi M, Egorova O, Somody JC and Yakunin AF <8 more author(s)> Tchigvintsev A, Tran H, Popovic A, Kovacic F, Brown G, Flick R, Hajighasemi M, Egorova O, Somody JC, Tchigvintsev D, Khusnutdinova A, Chernikova TN, Golyshina OV, Yakimov MM, Savchenko A, Golyshin PN, Jaeger KE, Yakunin AF (- 8) Ref: Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology, 99:2165, 2015 : PubMed ESTHER: Tchigvintsev_2015_Appl.Microbiol.Biotechnol_99_2165 PubMedSearch: Tchigvintsev 2015 Appl.Microbiol.Biotechnol 99 2165 PubMedID: 25194841 Abstract Most of the Earth's biosphere is cold and is populated by cold-adapted microorganisms. To explore the natural enzyme diversity of these environments and identify new carboxylesterases, we have screened three marine metagenome gene libraries for esterase activity. The screens identified 23 unique active clones, from which five highly active esterases were selected for biochemical characterization. The purified metagenomic esterases exhibited high activity against alpha-naphthyl and p-nitrophenyl esters with different chain lengths. All five esterases retained high activity at 5 degrees C indicating that they are cold-adapted enzymes. The activity of MGS0010 increased more than two times in the presence of up to 3.5 M NaCl or KCl, whereas the other four metagenomic esterases were inhibited to various degrees by these salts. The purified enzymes showed different sensitivities to inhibition by solvents and detergents, and the activities of MGS0010, MGS0105 and MGS0109 were stimulated three to five times by the addition of glycerol. Screening of purified esterases against 89 monoester substrates revealed broad substrate profiles with a preference for different esters. The metagenomic esterases also hydrolyzed several polyester substrates including polylactic acid suggesting that they can be used for polyester depolymerization. Thus, esterases from marine metagenomes are cold-adapted enzymes exhibiting broad biochemical diversity reflecting the environmental conditions where they evolved. Title: Structure-function analysis identifies highly sensitive strigolactone receptors in Striga Toh S, Holbrook-Smith D, Stogios PJ, Onopriyenko O, Lumba S, Tsuchiya Y, Savchenko A, McCourt P Ref: Science, 350:203, 2015 : PubMed ESTHER: Toh_2015_Science_350_203 PubMedSearch: Toh 2015 Science 350 203 PubMedID: 26450211 Gene_locus related to this paper: strhe-ShHTL2, strhe-ShHTL10, strhe-ShHTL6, strhe-ShHTL9, strhe-ShHTL8, strhe-ShHTL11, strhe-ShHTL4, strhe-ShHTL1, strhe-ShHTL7, strhe-ShHTL3, strhe-ShHTL5 Abstract Strigolactones are naturally occurring signaling molecules that affect plant development, fungi-plant interactions, and parasitic plant infestations. We characterized the function of 11 strigolactone receptors from the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica using chemical and structural biology. We found a clade of polyspecific receptors, including one that is sensitive to picomolar concentrations of strigolactone. A crystal structure of a highly sensitive strigolactone receptor from Striga revealed a larger binding pocket than that of the Arabidopsis receptor, which could explain the increased range of strigolactone sensitivity. Thus, the sensitivity of Striga to strigolactones from host plants is driven by receptor sensitivity. By expressing strigolactone receptors in Arabidopsis, we developed a bioassay that can be used to identify chemicals and crops with altered strigolactone levels. Title: Single residues dictate the co-evolution of dual esterases: MCP hydrolases from the alpha/beta hydrolase family Alcaide M, Tornes J, Stogios PJ, Xu X, Gertler C, Di Leo R, Bargiela R, Lafraya A, Guazzaroni ME and Ferrer M <9 more author(s)> Alcaide M, Tornes J, Stogios PJ, Xu X, Gertler C, Di Leo R, Bargiela R, Lafraya A, Guazzaroni ME, Lopez-Cortes N, Chernikova TN, Golyshina OV, Nechitaylo TY, Plumeier I, Pieper DH, Yakimov MM, Savchenko A, Golyshin PN, Ferrer M (- 9) Ref: Biochemical Journal, 454:157, 2013 : PubMed ESTHER: Alcaide_2013_Biochem.J_454_157 PubMedSearch: Alcaide 2013 Biochem.J 454 157 PubMedID: 23750508 Gene_locus related to this paper: 9bact-r9qzf7, 9gamm-k0c6t6 Abstract Several members of the C-C MCP (meta-cleavage product) hydrolase family demonstrate an unusual ability to hydrolyse esters as well as the MCPs (including those from mono- and bi-cyclic aromatics). Although the molecular mechanisms responsible for such substrate promiscuity are starting to emerge, the full understanding of these complex enzymes is far from complete. In the present paper, we describe six distinct alpha/beta hydrolases identified through genomic approaches, four of which demonstrate the unprecedented characteristic of activity towards a broad spectrum of substrates, including p-nitrophenyl, halogenated, fatty acyl, aryl, glycerol, cinnamoyl and carbohydrate esters, lactones, 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4-dienoate and 2-hydroxy-6-oxohepta-2,4-dienoate. Using structural analysis and site-directed mutagenesis we have identified the three residues (Ser32, Val130 and Trp144) that determine the unusual substrate specificity of one of these proteins, CCSP0084. The results may open up new research avenues into comparative catalytic models, structural and mechanistic studies, and biotechnological applications of MCP hydrolases. Title: Genome sequence and functional genomic analysis of the oil-degrading bacterium Oleispira antarctica Kube M, Chernikova TN, Al-Ramahi Y, Beloqui A, Lopez-Cortez N, Guazzaroni ME, Heipieper HJ, Klages S, Kotsyurbenko OR and Golyshin PN <26 more author(s)> Kube M, Chernikova TN, Al-Ramahi Y, Beloqui A, Lopez-Cortez N, Guazzaroni ME, Heipieper HJ, Klages S, Kotsyurbenko OR, Langer I, Nechitaylo TY, Lunsdorf H, Fernandez M, Juarez S, Ciordia S, Singer A, Kagan O, Egorova O, Petit PA, Stogios P, Kim Y, Tchigvintsev A, Flick R, Denaro R, Genovese M, Albar JP, Reva ON, Martinez-Gomariz M, Tran H, Ferrer M, Savchenko A, Yakunin AF, Yakimov MM, Golyshina OV, Reinhardt R, Golyshin PN (- 26) Ref: Nat Commun, 4:2156, 2013 : PubMed ESTHER: Kube_2013_Nat.Commun_4_2156 PubMedSearch: Kube 2013 Nat.Commun 4 2156 PubMedID: 23877221 Gene_locus related to this paper: olean-olei00960, olean-r4ym14, olean-r4yv64, olean-r4ys13 Abstract Ubiquitous bacteria from the genus Oleispira drive oil degradation in the largest environment on Earth, the cold and deep sea. Here we report the genome sequence of Oleispira antarctica and show that compared with Alcanivorax borkumensis--the paradigm of mesophilic hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria--O. antarctica has a larger genome that has witnessed massive gene-transfer events. We identify an array of alkane monooxygenases, osmoprotectants, siderophores and micronutrient-scavenging pathways. We also show that at low temperatures, the main protein-folding machine Cpn60 functions as a single heptameric barrel that uses larger proteins as substrates compared with the classical double-barrel structure observed at higher temperatures. With 11 protein crystal structures, we further report the largest set of structures from one psychrotolerant organism. The most common structural feature is an increased content of surface-exposed negatively charged residues compared to their mesophilic counterparts. Our findings are relevant in the context of microbial cold-adaptation mechanisms and the development of strategies for oil-spill mitigation in cold environments. Title: Structure and activity of the cold-active and anion-activated carboxyl esterase OLEI01171 from the oil-degrading marine bacterium Oleispira antarctica Lemak S, Tchigvintsev A, Petit P, Flick R, Singer AU, Brown G, Evdokimova E, Egorova O, Gonzalez CF and Yakunin AF <6 more author(s)> Lemak S, Tchigvintsev A, Petit P, Flick R, Singer AU, Brown G, Evdokimova E, Egorova O, Gonzalez CF, Chernikova TN, Yakimov MM, Kube M, Reinhardt R, Golyshin PN, Savchenko A, Yakunin AF (- 6) Ref: Biochemical Journal, 445:193, 2012 : PubMed ESTHER: Lemak_2012_Biochem.J_445_193 PubMedSearch: Lemak 2012 Biochem.J 445 193 PubMedID: 22519667 Gene_locus related to this paper: olean-d0vwz4 Abstract The uncharacterized alpha/beta-hydrolase protein OLEI01171 from the psychrophilic marine bacterium Oleispira antarctica belongs to the PF00756 family of putative esterases, which also includes human esterase D. In the present paper we show that purified recombinant OLEI01171 exhibits high esterase activity against the model esterase substrate alpha-naphthyl acetate at 5-30 degrees C with maximal activity at 15-20 degrees C. The esterase activity of OLEI01171 was stimulated 3-8-fold by the addition of chloride or several other anions (0.1-1.0 M). Compared with mesophilic PF00756 esterases, OLEI01171 exhibited a lower overall protein thermostability. Two crystal structures of OLEI01171 were solved at 1.75 and 2.1 A resolution and revealed a classical serine hydrolase catalytic triad and the presence of a chloride or bromide ion bound in the active site close to the catalytic Ser148. Both anions were found to co-ordinate a potential catalytic water molecule located in the vicinity of the catalytic triad His257. The results of the present study suggest that the bound anion perhaps contributes to the polarization of the catalytic water molecule and increases the rate of the hydrolysis of an acyl-enzyme intermediate. Alanine replacement mutagenesis of OLEI01171 identified ten amino acid residues important for esterase activity. The replacement of Asn225 by lysine had no significant effect on the activity or thermostability of OLEI01171, but resulted in a detectable increase of activity at 35-45 degrees C. The present study has provided insight into the molecular mechanisms of activity of a cold-active and anion-activated carboxyl esterase. Title: An inserted alpha/beta subdomain shapes the catalytic pocket of Lactobacillus johnsonii cinnamoyl esterase Lai KK, Stogios PJ, Vu C, Xu X, Cui H, Molloy S, Savchenko A, Yakunin A, Gonzalez CF Ref: PLoS ONE, 6:e23269, 2011 : PubMed ESTHER: Lai_2011_PLoS.One_6_e23269 PubMedSearch: Lai 2011 PLoS.One 6 e23269 PubMedID: 21876742 Gene_locus related to this paper: lacjo-q74hk5 Inhibitor(s) related to this paper: Caffeic-acid Abstract BACKGROUND: Microbial enzymes produced in the gastrointestinal tract are primarily responsible for the release and biochemical transformation of absorbable bioactive monophenols. In the present work we described the crystal structure of LJ0536, a serine cinnamoyl esterase produced by the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We crystallized LJ0536 in the apo form and in three substrate-bound complexes. The structure showed a canonical alpha/beta fold characteristic of esterases, and the enzyme is dimeric. Two classical serine esterase motifs (GlyXSerXGly) can be recognized from the amino acid sequence, and the structure revealed that the catalytic triad of the enzyme is formed by Ser(106), His(225), and Asp(197), while the other motif is non-functional. In all substrate-bound complexes, the aromatic acyl group of the ester compound was bound in the deepest part of the catalytic pocket. The binding pocket also contained an unoccupied area that could accommodate larger ligands. The structure revealed a prominent inserted alpha/beta subdomain of 54 amino acids, from which multiple contacts to the aromatic acyl groups of the substrates are made. Inserts of this size are seen in other esterases, but the secondary structure topology of this subdomain of LJ0536 is unique to this enzyme and its closest homolog (Est1E) in the Protein Databank. CONCLUSIONS: The binding mechanism characterized (involving the inserted alpha/beta subdomain) clearly differentiates LJ0536 from enzymes with similar activity of a fungal origin. The structural features herein described together with the activity profile of LJ0536 suggest that this enzyme should be clustered in a new group of bacterial cinnamoyl esterases. Title: Functional and structural characterization of four glutaminases from Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis Brown G, Singer A, Proudfoot M, Skarina T, Kim Y, Chang C, Dementieva I, Kuznetsova E, Gonzalez CF and Yakunin AF <2 more author(s)> Brown G, Singer A, Proudfoot M, Skarina T, Kim Y, Chang C, Dementieva I, Kuznetsova E, Gonzalez CF, Joachimiak A, Savchenko A, Yakunin AF (- 2) Ref: Biochemistry, 47:5724, 2008 : PubMed ESTHER: Brown_2008_Biochemistry_47_5724 PubMedSearch: Brown 2008 Biochemistry 47 5724 PubMedID: 18459799 Abstract Glutaminases belong to the large superfamily of serine-dependent beta-lactamases and penicillin-binding proteins, and they catalyze the hydrolytic deamidation of L-glutamine to L-glutamate. In this work, we purified and biochemically characterized four predicted glutaminases from Escherichia coli (YbaS and YneH) and Bacillus subtilis (YlaM and YbgJ). The proteins demonstrated strict specificity to L-glutamine and did not hydrolyze D-glutamine or L-asparagine. In each organism, one glutaminase showed higher affinity to glutamine ( E. coli YbaS and B. subtilis YlaM; K m 7.3 and 7.6 mM, respectively) than the second glutaminase ( E. coli YneH and B. subtilis YbgJ; K m 27.6 and 30.6 mM, respectively). The crystal structures of the E. coli YbaS and the B. subtilis YbgJ revealed the presence of a classical beta-lactamase-like fold and conservation of several key catalytic residues of beta-lactamases (Ser74, Lys77, Asn126, Lys268, and Ser269 in YbgJ). Alanine replacement mutagenesis demonstrated that most of the conserved residues located in the putative glutaminase catalytic site are essential for activity. The crystal structure of the YbgJ complex with the glutaminase inhibitor 6-diazo-5-oxo- l-norleucine revealed the presence of a covalent bond between the inhibitor and the hydroxyl oxygen of Ser74, providing evidence that Ser74 is the primary catalytic nucleophile and that the glutaminase reaction proceeds through formation of an enzyme-glutamyl intermediate. Growth experiments with the E. coli glutaminase deletion strains revealed that YneH is involved in the assimilation of l-glutamine as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen and suggested that both glutaminases (YbaS and YneH) also contribute to acid resistance in E. coli. Title: Enzyme genomics: Application of general enzymatic screens to discover new enzymes Kuznetsova E, Proudfoot M, Sanders SA, Reinking J, Savchenko A, Arrowsmith CH, Edwards AM, Yakunin AF Ref: FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 29:263, 2005 : PubMed ESTHER: Kuznetsova_2005_FEMS.Microbiol.Rev_29_263 PubMedSearch: Kuznetsova 2005 FEMS.Microbiol.Rev 29 263 PubMedID: 15808744 Gene_locus related to this paper: ecoli-yafa, ecoli-ybff, ecoli-ycjy, ecoli-yeiG, ecoli-YFBB, ecoli-yjfp, ecoli-ypfh, ecoli-yqia, ecoli-yuar Abstract In all sequenced genomes, a large fraction of predicted genes encodes proteins of unknown biochemical function and up to 15% of the genes with "known" function are mis-annotated. Several global approaches are routinely employed to predict function, including sophisticated sequence analysis, gene expression, protein interaction, and protein structure. In the first coupling of genomics and enzymology, Phizicky and colleagues undertook a screen for specific enzymes using large pools of partially purified proteins and specific enzymatic assays. Here we present an overview of the further developments of this approach, which involve the use of general enzymatic assays to screen individually purified proteins for enzymatic activity. The assays have relaxed substrate specificity and are designed to identify the subclass or sub-subclasses of enzymes (phosphatase, phosphodiesterase/nuclease, protease, esterase, dehydrogenase, and oxidase) to which the unknown protein belongs. Further biochemical characterization of proteins can be facilitated by the application of secondary screens with natural substrates (substrate profiling). We demonstrate here the feasibility and merits of this approach for hydrolases and oxidoreductases, two very broad and important classes of enzymes. Application of general enzymatic screens and substrate profiling can greatly speed up the identification of biochemical function of unknown proteins and the experimental verification of functional predictions produced by other functional genomics approaches. Title: Integrating structure, bioinformatics, and enzymology to discover function: BioH, a new carboxylesterase from Escherichia coli Sanishvili R, Yakunin AF, Laskowski RA, Skarina T, Evdokimova E, Doherty-Kirby A, Lajoie GA, Thornton JM, Arrowsmith CH and Edwards AM <2 more author(s)> Sanishvili R, Yakunin AF, Laskowski RA, Skarina T, Evdokimova E, Doherty-Kirby A, Lajoie GA, Thornton JM, Arrowsmith CH, Savchenko A, Joachimiak A, Edwards AM (- 2) Ref: Journal of Biological Chemistry, 278:26039, 2003 : PubMed ESTHER: Sanishvili_2003_J.Biol.Chem_278_26039 PubMedSearch: Sanishvili 2003 J.Biol.Chem 278 26039 PubMedID: 12732651 Gene_locus related to this paper: ecoli-bioh Abstract Structural proteomics projects are generating three-dimensional structures of novel, uncharacterized proteins at an increasing rate. However, structure alone is often insufficient to deduce the specific biochemical function of a protein. Here we determined the function for a protein using a strategy that integrates structural and bioinformatics data with parallel experimental screening for enzymatic activity. BioH is involved in biotin biosynthesis in Escherichia coli and had no previously known biochemical function. The crystal structure of BioH was determined at 1.7 A resolution. An automated procedure was used to compare the structure of BioH with structural templates from a variety of different enzyme active sites. This screen identified a catalytic triad (Ser82, His235, and Asp207) with a configuration similar to that of the catalytic triad of hydrolases. Analysis of BioH with a panel of hydrolase assays revealed a carboxylesterase activity with a preference for short acyl chain substrates. The combined use of structural bioinformatics with experimental screens for detecting enzyme activity could greatly enhance the rate at which function is determined from structure. | |||||||
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