17 publications

17 publications

An Artificial Metalloenzyme: Creation of a Designed Copper Binding Site in a Thermostable Protein

Reetz, M.T.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2010, 49, 5151-5155, 10.1002/anie.201002106

Guided by nature: A designed binding site comprising the His/His/Asp motif for CuII complexation has been constructed in a robust protein by site‐specific mutagenesis (see picture). The artificial metalloenzyme catalyzes an enantioselective Diels–Alder reaction.


Metal: Cu
Ligand type: Amino acid
Host protein: tHisF
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: Genetic
Max TON: 6.7
ee: 46
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Artificial Metalloenzymes

Review

Roelfes, G.

ChemCatChem 2010, 2, 916-927, 10.1002/cctc.201000011

Artificial metalloenzymes have emerged as a promising approach to merge the attractive properties of homogeneous catalysis and biocatalysis. The activity and selectivity, including enantioselectivity, of natural metalloenzymes are due to the second coordination sphere interactions provided by the protein. Artificial metalloenzymes aim at harnessing second coordination sphere interactions to create transition metal complexes that display enzyme‐like activities and selectivities. In this Review, the various approaches that can be followed for the design and optimization of an artificial metalloenzyme are discussed. An overview of the synthetic transformations that have been achieved using artificial metalloenzymes is provided, with a particular focus on recent developments. Finally, the role that the second coordination sphere plays in artificial metalloenzymes and their potential for synthetic applications are evaluated.


Notes: ---

Artificial Metalloenzymes Through Cysteine-Selective Conjugation of Phosphines to Photoactive Yellow Protein

Kamer, P.C.J.

ChemBioChem 2010, 11, 1236-1239, 10.1002/cbic.201000159

Pinning phosphines on proteins: A method for the cysteine‐selective bioconjugation of phosphines has been developed. The photoactive yellow protein has been site‐selectively functionalized with phosphine ligands and phosphine transition metal complexes to afford artificial metalloenzymes that are active in palladium‐catalysed allylic nucleophilic substitution reactions.


Metal: Pd
Ligand type: Allyl; Phosphine
Anchoring strategy: Covalent
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Reaction: Allylic amination
Max TON: 45
ee: ---
PDB: 2PHY
Notes: ---

Bioorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry

Review

Ward, T.R.

Chimia 2010, 64, 846-854, 10.2533/chimia.2010.846

The interdisciplinary projects in bioinorganic and bioorganic chemistry of the Department of Chemistry, University of Basel led to the preparation of new systems that mimic biologically important processes and to the discovery of compounds from natural sources which are very promising with respect to medical applications. The advances in these areas are reported here.


Notes: ---

Construction of Robust Bio-Nanotubes using the Controlled Self-Assembly of Component Proteins of Bacteriophage T4

Ueno, T.

Small 2010, 6, 1873-1879, 10.1002/smll.201000772

The synthesis of a robust bio‐nanotube consisting of the β‐helical tubular component proteins of bacteriophage T4 is described. The crystal structure indicates that it has a well‐defined nanoscale length of 10 nm as a result of the head‐to‐head dimerization of β‐helices. Surprisingly, the tube assembly has high thermal stability, high tolerance to organic solvents, and a wide pH‐stability range.


Metal: Cu
Ligand type: Flavin
Host protein: [(gp5βf)3]2
Anchoring strategy: Lysine-succinimide
Optimization: ---
Reaction: Cycloaddition
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Coordination Chemistry Studies and Peroxidase Activity of a New Artificial Metalloenzyme Built by the “Trojan Horse” Strategy

Mahy, J.-P.

J. Mol. Catal. A: Chem. 2010, 317, 19-26, 10.1016/j.molcata.2009.10.016

In the general context of green chemistry, a considerable research effort is devoted to the elaboration of new artificial metalloproteins that catalyze, under mild conditions, the oxidation of a wide range of organic compounds, using cheap and environmentally friendly oxidants. A new artificial hemoprotein was obtained by the so-called “Trojan horse” strategy involving the non-covalent insertion of a cationic iron–porphyrin–estradiol cofactor into an anti-estradiol antibody. UV–vis titrations showed the formation of a 1/2 antibody/cofactor complex with a dissociation constant KD = 4.10−7 M. UV–vis determination of the Fe-imidazole binding constants showed that the protein provided a weak steric hindrance around the iron–porphyrin cofactor. The antibody–estradiol–iron–porphyrin complex displayed a peroxidase activity and catalyzed the oxidation of ABTS by H2O2 with about double the efficiency of the iron–porphyrin–estradiol alone. Kinetic studies revealed that this was due to a faster formation of the intermediate high valent iron–oxo species in the presence of the antibody protein. Consequently, the association of an anti-estradiol antibody with an iron–porphyrin–estradiol cofactor leads to a new artificial hemoprotein with an interesting peroxidase activity and the “Trojan horse” strategy appears as a valuable method to generate artificial metalloenzymes that could act as biocatalysts for selective oxidations.


Metal: Fe
Ligand type: Porphyrin
Host protein: Antibody 7A3
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: ---
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: k1 = 574 M-1 * min-1

De Novo Enzymes: From Computational Design to mRNA Display

Review

Seelig, B.

Trends Biotechnol. 2010, 28, 340-345, 10.1016/j.tibtech.2010.04.003

Enzymes offer cheap, environmentally responsible and highly efficient alternatives to chemical catalysts. The past two decades have seen a significant rise in the use of enzymes in industrial settings. Although many natural enzymes have been modified through protein engineering to better suit practical applications, these approaches are often insufficient. A key goal of enzyme engineers is to build enzymes de novo – or, ‘from scratch’. To date, several technologies have been developed to achieve this goal: namely, computational design, catalytic antibodies and mRNA display. These methods rely on different principles, trading off rational protein design against an entirely combinatorial approach of directed evolution of vast protein libraries. The aim of this article is to review and compare these methods and their potential for generating truly de novo biocatalysts.


Notes: ---

Design Strategies for the Creation of Artificial Metalloenzymes

Review

Ward, T.R.

Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 2010, 14, 184-199, 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.11.026

In recent years, several complementary strategies have been implemented for the creation and optimization of artificial metalloenzymes. Selected examples outline the pros and cons of five different approaches: catalytic antibodies, computational design, directed evolution, artificial metal-cofactors and DNAzymes.


Notes: ---

Improving the Enantioselectivity of Artificial Transfer Hydrogenases Based on the Biotin–Streptavidin Technology by Combinations of Point Mutations

Ward, T.R.

Inorg. Chim. Acta 2010, 363, 601-604, 10.1016/j.ica.2009.02.001

Artificial metalloenzymes based on the incorporation of biotinylated ruthenium piano–stool complexes within streptavidin can be readily optimized by chemical or genetic means. We performed genetic modifications of such artificial metalloenzymes for the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones, by combining targeted point mutations of the host protein. Upon using the P64G-L124V double mutant of streptavidin in combination with the [η6-(p-cymene)Ru(Biot-p-L)Cl] complex, the enantioselectivity can be increased up to 98% ee (R) for the reduction of p-methylacetophenone, which is the highest selectivity obtained up to date with an artificial transfer hydrogenase.


Metal: Ru
Ligand type: Amino-sulfonamide; P-cymene
Host protein: Streptavidin (Sav)
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: 98
ee: 98
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Metal: Ru
Ligand type: Amino-sulfonamide; Benzene
Host protein: Streptavidin (Sav)
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: Chemical & genetic
Max TON: 24
ee: 84
PDB: 2QCB
Notes: ---

Introducing a 2-His-1-Glu Nonheme Iron Center into Myoglobin Confers Nitric Oxide Reductase Activity

Lu, Y.

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 9970-9972, 10.1021/ja103516n

A conserved 2-His-1-Glu metal center, as found in natural nonheme iron-containing enzymes, was engineered into sperm whale myoglobin by replacing Leu29 and Phe43 with Glu and His, respectively (swMb L29E, F43H, H64, called FeBMb(-His)). A high resolution (1.65 Å) crystal structure of Cu(II)-CN−-FeBMb(-His) was determined, demonstrating that the unique 2-His-1-Glu metal center was successfully created within swMb. The FeBMb(-His) can bind Cu, Fe, or Zn ions, with both Cu(I)-FeBMb(-His) and Fe(II)-FeBMb(-His) exhibiting nitric oxide reductase (NOR) activities. Cu dependent NOR activity was significantly higher than that of Fe in the same metal binding site. EPR studies showed that the reduction of NO to N2O catalyzed by these two enzymes resulted in different intermediates; a five-coordinate heme-NO species was observed for Cu(I)-FeBMb(-His) due to the cleavage of the proximal heme Fe-His bond, while Fe(II)-FeBMb(-His) remained six-coordinate. Therefore, both the metal ligand, Glu29, and the metal itself, Cu or Fe, play crucial roles in NOR activity. This study presents a novel protein model of NOR and provides insights into a newly discovered member of the NOR family, gNOR.


Metal: Fe
Ligand type: Amino acid
Host protein: Myoglobin (Mb)
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: Genetic
Max TON: 320
ee: ---
PDB: 3MN0
Notes: Sperm whale myoglobin

Oxidation of Organic Molecules in Homogeneous Aqueous Solution Catalyzed by Hybrid Biocatalysts (Based on the Trojan Horse Strategy)

Mahy, J.-P.

Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 2010, 21, 1593-1600, 10.1016/j.tetasy.2010.03.050

New anionic metalloporphyrin–estradiol conjugates have been synthesized and fully characterized, and have been further associated to a monoclonal anti-estradiol antibody 7A3, to generate new artificial metalloenzymes following the so-called ‘Trojan Horse’ strategy. The spectroscopic characteristics and dissociation constants of these complexes were similar to those obtained for the artificial metalloproteins obtained by association of cationic metalloporphyrin–estradiol conjugates to 7A3. This demonstrates that the nature of the porphyrin substituents, anionic or cationic, had little influence on the association with the antibody that is mainly driven by the tight association of the estradiol anchor with the binding pocket of the antibody. These new biocatalysts appeared to have an interesting catalytic activity in oxidation reactions. The iron(III)–anionic-porphyrin–estradiol-antibody complexes were found able to catalyze the chemoselective and slightly enantioselective (ee = 10%) sulfoxidation of sulfides by H2O2. The Mn(III)–porphyrin–estradiol-antibody complexes were found to catalyze the oxidation of styrene by KHSO5, the Mn(III)–cationic-porphyrin–estradiol-antibody complexes even showing the highest yields so far reported for the oxidation of styrene catalyzed by artificial metalloproteins. However, a lack of chemoselectivity and enantioselectivity was observed, which was probably due to a weak interaction of the metalloporphyrin cofactor with the binding pocket of antibody 7A3, as suggested by the similar UV–visible characteristics and catalytic activities obtained with both anionic and cationic porphyrins.


Metal: Fe
Ligand type: Porphyrin
Host protein: Antibody 7A3
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: ---
Reaction: Sulfoxidation
Max TON: 9
ee: 10
PDB: ---
Notes: ---

Metal: Mn
Ligand type: Porphyrin
Host protein: Antibody 7A3
Anchoring strategy: Supramolecular
Optimization: ---
Reaction: Epoxidation
Max TON: 105
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: Imidazole as co-catalyst

Protein-Based Hybrid Catalysts-Design and Evolution

Review

Ward, T.R.

Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 2010, 21, 744-752, 10.1016/j.copbio.2010.09.004

Artificial metalloenzymes result from the introduction of a catalytically competent non-native metal cofactor within a protein environment. In the present contribution, we summarize the recent achievements in the design and the optimization of such protein-based hybrid catalysts, with an emphasis on enantioselective transformations. The second part outlines the milestones required to achieve en masse production, screening and directed evolution of artificial metalloenzymes. In the spirit of Darwinian evolution, this will allow the full potential of such protein-based hybrid catalysts to be fully unraveled, thus complementing both homogeneous and enzymatic catalysis.


Notes: ---

Proteins as Host for Enantioselective Catalysis: Artificial Metalloenzymes Based on the Biotin-Streptavidin Technology

Review

Ward, T.R.

Molecular Encapsulation: Organic Reactions in Constrained Systems 2010, 361-376, 10.1002/9780470664872.ch13

n/a


Notes: Book chapter

Regioselective Hydroformylation of Styrene Using Rhodium-Substituted Carbonic Anhydrase

Kazlauskas, R.J.

ChemCatChem 2010, 2, 953-957, 10.1002/cctc.201000159

CA confidential: Replacing the active‐site zinc in carbonic anhydrase (CA) by rhodium forms a new enzymatic catalyst for cofactor‐free hydroformylation of styrene with syn gas. Unlike free rhodium, this rhodium–protein hybrid, [Rh]–CA, is regioselective (8.4:1) for linear over branched aldehyde product, which is a 40‐fold change in regioselectivity compared to free rhodium.


Metal: Rh
Ligand type: Acac; Carbonyl
Anchoring strategy: Metal substitution
Optimization: Genetic
Reaction: Hydroformylation
Max TON: 298
ee: ---
PDB: 4CAC
Notes: PDB ID 4CAC = Structure of Zn containing hCAII

Roles of Glutamates and Metal Ions in a Rationally Designed Nitric Oxide Reductase Based on Myoglobin

Lu, Y.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2010, 107, 8581-8586, 10.1073/pnas.1000526107

A structural and functional model of bacterial nitric oxide reductase (NOR) has been designed by introducing two glutamates (Glu) and three histidines (His) in sperm whale myoglobin. X-ray structural data indicate that the three His and one Glu (V68E) residues bind iron, mimicking the putative FeB site in NOR, while the second Glu (I107E) interacts with a water molecule and forms a hydrogen bonding network in the designed protein. Unlike the first Glu (V68E), which lowered the heme reduction potential by ∼110 mV, the second Glu has little effect on the heme potential, suggesting that the negatively charged Glu has a different role in redox tuning. More importantly, introducing the second Glu resulted in a ∼100% increase in NOR activity, suggesting the importance of a hydrogen bonding network in facilitating proton delivery during NOR reactivity. In addition, EPR and X-ray structural studies indicate that the designed protein binds iron, copper, or zinc in the FeB site, each with different effects on the structures and NOR activities, suggesting that both redox activity and an intermediate five-coordinate heme-NO species are important for high NOR activity. The designed protein offers an excellent model for NOR and demonstrates the power of using designed proteins as a simpler and more well-defined system to address important chemical and biological issues.


Metal: Fe
Ligand type: Amino acid
Host protein: Myoglobin (Mb)
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: Genetic
Reaction: NO reduction
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: 3M39
Notes: X-ray structure of mutant I107E.

Metal: Cu
Ligand type: Amino acid
Host protein: Myoglobin (Mb)
Anchoring strategy: Dative
Optimization: Genetic
Reaction: NO reduction
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: 3M3A
Notes: X-ray structure of mutant I107E.

Synthesis of Hybrid Transition-Metalloproteins via Thiol-Selective Covalent Anchoring of Rh-Phosphine and Ru-Phenanthroline Complexes

Kamer, P.C.J.; Laan, W.

Dalton Trans. 2010, 39, 8477, 10.1039/c0dt00239a

The preparation of hybrid transition metalloproteins by thiol-selective incorporation of organometallic rhodium- and ruthenium complexes is described. Phosphine ligands and two rhodium-diphosphine complexes bearing a carboxylic acid group were coupled to the cysteine of PYP R52G, yielding a metalloenzyme active in the rhodium catalyzed hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate. The successful coupling was shown by 31P NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectroscopy. In addition wild-type PYP (PYP WT), PYP R52G and ALBP were successfully modified with a (η6-arene) ruthenium(II) phenanthroline complex via a maleimide linker.


Metal: Rh
Ligand type: COD; Phosphine
Anchoring strategy: Covalent
Optimization: ---
Reaction: Hydrogenation
Max TON: ---
ee: ---
PDB: 2PHY
Notes: ---

(η6-Arene) Ruthenium(II) Complexes and Metallo-Papain Hybrid as Lewis Acid Catalysts of Diels–Alder Reaction in Water

Salmain, M.

Dalton Trans. 2010, 39, 5605, 10.1039/c001630f

Covalent embedding of a (η6-arene) ruthenium(II) complex into the protein papain gives rise to a metalloenzyme displaying a catalytic efficiency for a Lewis acid-mediated catalysed Diels–Alder reaction enhanced by two orders of magnitude in water.


Metal: Ru
Ligand type: Benzene; Phenanthroline
Host protein: Papain (PAP)
Anchoring strategy: Covalent
Optimization: Chemical
Max TON: 440
ee: ---
PDB: ---
Notes: TOF = 220 h-1