Structural Studies of Geosmin Synthase, a Bifunctional Sesquiterpene Synthase with αα Domain Architecture That Catalyzes a Unique Cyclization-Fragmentation Reaction Sequence

Biochemistry. 2015 Dec 8;54(48):7142-55. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b01143. Epub 2015 Nov 24.

Abstract

Geosmin synthase from Streptomyces coelicolor (ScGS) catalyzes an unusual, metal-dependent terpenoid cyclization and fragmentation reaction sequence. Two distinct active sites are required for catalysis: the N-terminal domain catalyzes the ionization and cyclization of farnesyl diphosphate to form germacradienol and inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), and the C-terminal domain catalyzes the protonation, cyclization, and fragmentation of germacradienol to form geosmin and acetone through a retro-Prins reaction. A unique αα domain architecture is predicted for ScGS based on amino acid sequence: each domain contains the metal-binding motifs typical of a class I terpenoid cyclase, and each domain requires Mg(2+) for catalysis. Here, we report the X-ray crystal structure of the unliganded N-terminal domain of ScGS and the structure of its complex with three Mg(2+) ions and alendronate. These structures highlight conformational changes required for active site closure and catalysis. Although neither full-length ScGS nor constructs of the C-terminal domain could be crystallized, homology models of the C-terminal domain were constructed on the basis of ∼36% sequence identity with the N-terminal domain. Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments yield low-resolution molecular envelopes into which the N-terminal domain crystal structure and the C-terminal domain homology model were fit, suggesting possible αα domain architectures as frameworks for bifunctional catalysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alendronate / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Cyclization
  • Magnesium / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Naphthols / metabolism*
  • Polyisoprenyl Phosphates / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Sesquiterpenes / metabolism*
  • Streptomyces coelicolor / chemistry
  • Streptomyces coelicolor / enzymology*
  • Streptomyces coelicolor / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Naphthols
  • Polyisoprenyl Phosphates
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • germacradienol
  • farnesyl pyrophosphate
  • Magnesium
  • geosmin
  • Alendronate

Associated data

  • PDB/5DW7
  • PDB/5DZ2