High-resolution structure of the nitrile reductase QueF combined with molecular simulations provide insight into enzyme mechanism.

ABSTRACT: Here, we report the 1.53-Å crystal structure of the enzyme 7-cyano-7-deazaguanine reductase (QueF) from Vibrio cholerae, which is responsible for the complete reduction of a nitrile (CN) bond to a primary amine (H(2)C-NH(2)). At present, this is the only example of a biological pathway that includes reduction of a nitrile bond, establishing QueF as particularly noteworthy. The structure of the QueF monomer resembles two connected ferrodoxin-like domains that assemble into dimers. Ligands identified in the crystal structure suggest the likely binding conformation of the native substrates NADPH and 7-cyano-7-deazaguanine. We also report on a series of numerical simulations that have shed light on the mechanism by which this enzyme affects the transfer of four protons (and electrons) to the 7

SUBMITTER: Kim Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3366508 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature