Discovery of acetylene hydratase activity of the iron-sulphur protein IspH.

ABSTRACT: The final step of the methylerythritol phosphate isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway is catalysed by the iron-sulphur enzyme IspH, producing the universal precursors of terpenes: isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate. Here we report an unforeseen reaction discovered during the investigation of the interaction of IspH with acetylene inhibitors by X-ray crystallography, Mößbauer, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In addition to its role as a 2H(+)/2e(-) reductase, IspH can hydrate acetylenes to aldehydes and ketones via anti-Markovnikov/Markovnikov addition. The reactions only occur with the oxidised protein and proceed via η(1)-O-enolate intermediates. One of these is characterized crystallographically and contains a C4 ligand oxygen bound to the unique, fourth iron i

SUBMITTER: Span I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3745992 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature