Spectroscopic and Structural Characterization of Reduced Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough W-FdhAB Reveals Stable Metal Coordination during Catalysis

ACS Chem Biol. 2022 Jul 15;17(7):1901-1909. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00336. Epub 2022 Jun 29.

Abstract

Metal-dependent formate dehydrogenases are important enzymes due to their activity of CO2 reduction to formate. The tungsten-containing FdhAB formate dehydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough is a good example displaying high activity, simple composition, and a notable structural and catalytic robustness. Here, we report the first spectroscopic redox characterization of FdhAB metal centers by EPR. Titration with dithionite or formate leads to reduction of three [4Fe-4S]1+ clusters, and full reduction requires Ti(III)-citrate. The redox potentials of the four [4Fe-4S]1+ centers range between -250 and -530 mV. Two distinct WV signals were detected, WDV and WFV, which differ in only the g2-value. This difference can be explained by small variations in the twist angle of the two pyranopterins, as determined through DFT calculations of model compounds. The redox potential of WVI/V was determined to be -370 mV when reduced by dithionite and -340 mV when reduced by formate. The crystal structure of dithionite-reduced FdhAB was determined at high resolution (1.5 Å), revealing the same structural alterations as reported for the formate-reduced structure. These results corroborate a stable six-ligand W coordination in the catalytic intermediate WV state of FdhAB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Desulfovibrio vulgaris* / metabolism
  • Desulfovibrio* / metabolism
  • Dithionite
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Formate Dehydrogenases / chemistry
  • Formate Dehydrogenases / metabolism
  • Formates
  • Metals
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

  • Formates
  • Metals
  • Dithionite
  • Formate Dehydrogenases