An official website of the United States government
Artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) can combine the unique features of both metal complexes and enzymes by incorporating a cofactor within a protein scaffold. Herein, we describe a panel of ArMs constructed by covalently linking Ir( iii ) polypyridyl complexes into a prolyl oligopeptidase scaffold. Spectroscopic methods were used to examine how properties of the resulting ArMs are influenced by structural variation of the cyclometalated ligands and the protein scaffold. Visible light photocatalysis by these hybrid catalysts was also examined, leading to the finding that they catalyze inter/intra-molecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition in aqueous solution. Low but reproducible enantioselectivity was observed using a cofactor that undergoes partial kinetic resolution upon bioconjugation within the ArM active site, showing the importance of scaffold/cofactor interactions for enabling selective ArM photocatalysis. Further evidence of the importance of cofactor/scaffold interactions was provided by analyzing native POP peptidase catalysis by the ArMs. Together, these studies show how Ir( iii )-based ArMs constitute a promising starting point for ongoing studies to control the stereoselectivity of EnT reactions by engineering substrate binding/activation motifs in POP.
more »
« less
A semisynthetic, multicofactor artificial metalloenzyme retains independent site activity
Abstract Native metalloenzymes are unparalleled in their ability to perform efficient small molecule activation reactions, converting simple substrates into complex products. Most of these natural systems possess multiple metallocofactors to facilitate electron transfer or cascade catalysis. While the field of artificial metalloenzymes is growing at a rapid rate, examples of artificial enzymes that leverage two distinct cofactors remain scarce. In this work, we describe a new class of artificial enzymes containing two different metallocofactors, incorporated through bioorthogonal strategies. Nickel-substituted rubredoxin (NiRd), which is a structural and functional mimic of [NiFe] hydrogenases, is used as a scaffold. Incorporation of a synthetic bimetallic inorganic complex based on a macrocyclic biquinazoline ligand (MMBQ) was accomplished using a novel chelating thioether linker. Neither the structure of the NiRdactive site nor the MMBQwere altered upon attachment, and each site retained independent redox activity. Electrocatalysis was observed from each site, with the switchability of the system demonstrated through the use of catalytically inert metal centers. This MMBQ–NiRdplatform offers a new avenue to create multicofactor artificial metalloenzymes in a robust system that can be easily tuned both through modifications to the protein scaffold and the synthetic moiety, with applications for redox catalysis and tandem reactivity. Graphical abstract
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 2346885
- PAR ID:
- 10569713
- Publisher / Repository:
- Springer Science + Business Media
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- JBIC Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry
- Volume:
- 30
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 1432-1327
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: p. 13-23
- Size(s):
- p. 13-23
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
Abstract Cu‐containing metalloenzymes are known to catalyze oxygen activation through cooperative catalysis. In the current work, we report the design of synthetic polymer Cu catalysts using pyrene‐labelled poly(2‐hydroxy‐3‐dipicolylamino) propyl methacrylate (Py‐PGMADPA) to coordinate multiple Cu sites along polymer chains. The catalysts feature a pyrene end group that can form supramolecular π‐π stacking with conductive carbon to allow efficient immobilization of catalysts to the graphite electrode. Cu‐containing Py‐PGMADPA was examined for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction. The hybrid catalyst showed an onset potential of 0.5 V (vs. RHE) at pH 7 and 0.79 V at pH 13. The kinetic study indicated that the catalyst had a 2e−reduction of oxygen mainly mediated by Cu+centers. We demonstrated the importance of cooperative catalysis among Cu sites which did not exist for other transition metal ions, like Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, and Ni2+. The confinement of polymer chains promotes the activity and stabilizes Cu catalysts even at an extremely low Cu loading. The rational design of bioinspired polymer catalysts offers an alternative way to prepare synthetic mimics of metalloenzymes.more » « less
-
Abstract De novo metalloprotein design involves the construction of proteins guided by specific repeat patterns of polar and apolar residues, which, upon self‐assembly, provide a suitable environment to bind metals and produce artificial metalloenzymes. While a wide range of functionalities have been realized in de novo designed metalloproteins, the functional repertoire of such constructs towards alternative energy‐relevant catalysis is currently limited. Here we show the application of de novo approach to design a functional H2evolving protein. The design involved the assembly of an amphiphilic peptide featuring cysteines at tandema/dsites of each helix. Intriguingly, upon NiIIaddition, the oligomers shift from a major trimeric assembly to a mix of dimers and trimers. The metalloprotein produced H2photocatalytically with a bell‐shape pH dependence, having a maximum activity at pH 5.5. Transient absorption spectroscopy is used to determine the timescales of electron transfer as a function of pH. Selective outer sphere mutations are made to probe how the local environment tunes activity. A preferential enhancement of activity is observed via steric modulation above the NiIIsite, towards the N‐termini, compared to below the NiIIsite towards the C‐termini.more » « less
-
Abstract The hydrolysis of extremely stable peptide and phosphoester bonds by metalloenzymes is of great interest in biotechnology and industry. However, due to various shortcomings only a handful of these enzymes have been used for industrial applications. Therefore, in the last two decades intensive scientific efforts have been made in rational development of small molecules to imitate the activities of natural enzymes. Despite these efforts, their currently available synthetic analogues are inferior in terms of selectivity, catalytic rate, and turnover and the designing of efficient artificial metalloenzymes remains a distant goal. This is a challenging area of research that necessitates a rigorous integration between experiments and theory. The realization of this goal requires knowledge of the catalytic activities of both enzymes and their existing analogues and an effective fusion of that knowledge. This article reviews several studies in which a plethora of computational techniques have been successfully employed to investigate the functioning of two chemically promiscuous mono‐ and binuclear metalloenzymes (insulin degrading enzyme and glycerophosphodiesterase) and two synthetic analogues. These studies will help us derive fundamental principles of peptide and phosphoester hydrolysis and pave the way to design efficient small molecule catalysts for these reactions. This article is categorized under:Structure and Mechanism > Reaction Mechanisms and Catalysismore » « less
-
Naturally occurring enzymes can be a source of unnatural reactivity that can be molded by directed evolution to generate efficient biocatalysts with valuable activities. Owing to the lack of exploitable stereocontrol elements in synthetic systems, steering the absolute and relative stereochemistry of free-radical processes is notoriously difficult in asymmetric catalysis. Inspired by the innate redox properties of first-row transition-metal cofactors, we repurposed cytochromes P450 to catalyze stereoselective atom-transfer radical cyclization. A set of metalloenzymes was engineered to impose substantial stereocontrol over the radical addition step and the halogen rebound step in these unnatural processes, allowing enantio- and diastereodivergent radical catalysis. This evolvable metalloenzyme platform represents a promising solution to tame fleeting radical intermediates for asymmetric catalysis.more » « less
