Crystal structure and mechanistic implications of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase--the ethylene-forming enzyme

Chem Biol. 2004 Oct;11(10):1383-94. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2004.08.012.

Abstract

The final step in the biosynthesis of the plant signaling molecule ethylene is catalyzed by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACCO). ACCO requires bicarbonate as an activator and catalyzes the oxidation of ACC to give ethylene, CO2, and HCN. We report crystal structures of ACCO in apo-form (2.1 A resolution) and complexed with Fe(II) (2.55 A) or Co(II) (2.4 A). The active site contains a single Fe(II) ligated by three residues (His177, Asp179, and His234), and it is relatively open compared to those of the 2-oxoglutarate oxygenases. The side chains of Arg175 and Arg244, proposed to be involved in binding bicarbonate, project away from the active site, but conformational changes may allow either or both to enter the active site. The structures will form a basis for future mechanistic and inhibition studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / chemistry*
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Arginine / metabolism
  • Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Lyases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Lyases / chemistry*
  • Lyases / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Petunia / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry*
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Arginine
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases
  • 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase
  • Lyases
  • ethylene forming enzyme