Mechanistic and Physical Studies of Methane Monooxygenase from Methylococcuscapsulatus (Bath)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Mechanistic and Physical Studies of Methane Monooxygenase from Methylococcuscapsulatus (Bath) 2, Mechanistic and Physical Studies of Methane Monooxygenase from Methylococcuscapsulatus (Bath) by Katherine E. Liu B.A., Cornell University (1989) Submitted to the Department of Chemistry in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology February, 1995 © 1995 Massachusetts Institute of Technology All rights reserved Signature of Author Department of Chemistry November 14, 1994 Certified by -- -- -- V U I/ Professor Stephen J. Lippard Thesis Supervisor /q~ Accepted by Professor Dietmar Seyferth Chairman, Departmental Committee on Graduate Students e-;.{ence . : -. .; 1QO D 2 This doctoral thesis has been examined by a Committee of the Department of Chemistry as follows: Professor Alan Davison, Committee Chair /'-- l' 6/O ProfessorStephen J. Lippard Arthur Amos Noyes Professor of Chemistry PA fessor JoAnne Stubbe John G. Sheehan Professor of Chemistry Z n P A n Professor 4wliam H. me Johnson 3 Acknowledgments There are many people who helped make it possible for me to write this thesis. First and foremost, I must thank Steve Lippard for providing me the opportunity to join his research group at MIT. He allowed me to work independently, yet provided me much support and encouragement over the last five years. Studying the MMO system has led us down a variety of paths, and he was never hesitant to let me pursue new directions. I would also like to thank JoAnne Stubbe, William Orme-Johnson, and Alan Davison for serving on my thesis committee. I was fortunate to collaborate with may people away from MIT on several projects. Vickie DeRose and Brian Hoffman are responsible for many exciting EPR discoveries. Marty Newcomb fought along side us against the mechanistic dogma we encountered. My trips to the National Tritium Labeling Facility were made more enjoyable by Barrie Wilkinson, from Heinz Floss' group, Phil Williams, and Hiromi Morimoto. Ah, the excitement of what sandwich to order for lunch! Southern hospitality was provided by Vincent Huynh, Dale Edmondson, and Danli Wang at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, who introduced me to rapid freeze-quench techniques. Someday we will have to go Tapas Bar Hopping! Back at MIT, I wish to thank Ann Valentine for enthusiastically accepting to continue the mechanistic work on MMO. I also appreciate her help ill purifying protein and carrying out some kinetic experiments at the end. I am sure she saved me many months in producing this thesis! Thanks goes to Amy Rosenzweig, who worked with me on those grueling protein purfications in the early days, and to Thanos Salifoglou for his great fermentation efforts. Axel Masschelein expedited the stopped-flow work by assembling our equipment and designing our system software. I am also grateful to the other members of the MMO subgroup who have given me support along the way: David Coufal, Sonja Komar-Panicucci, and Andrew Feig. The above mentioned people made both my professional and personal life at MIT more enjoyable. There are many more names to include who have given me fond memories to take away with me. Fishing trips and Thanksgiving dinners were made special by Mike Keck and Ted Carnahan. I must thank Pieter Pil and Steve Brown for toughening me after the move to the second floor, for 4 participating in numerous waterfights (let's get Pieter!), and for providing daily banter upstairs, along with Megan McA'Nulty and Joyce Whitehead. Many thanks go to JoAnne Yun and Maria Bautista, who fed me the Hlawaiian pizza that made it possible for me to finish this thesis, followed by the 52's that made it possible for me to celebrate finishing this thesis. I am also grateful to Susanna Herold for her boomerangs and Kevin Ward for his brownies. Other fun times were provided by Jonathan Wilker (see you at Boston '96!), Rajesh Manchanda, and Deborah Zamble (thanks for help with the move, too). David Goldberg has provided much support during the last five years, and I am thankful for his friendship. I wish to express my appreciation toward my family: my father, Sally, Kim and Dave, David and Cheryl, and Mike and Wendy, all of whom, I am sure, were convinced I dropped off the face of the planet while writing this thesis. Believe it or not, I will actually leave MIT!! Finally, I must thank the person who has had by far the deepest impact on both my personal and professional life, John Protasiewicz. I am positive that I could not have made it this far without him. I would express amazement at how one person could have provided such a constant stream of love and support, but I know it all comes so natural for such a warm and kind individual (I am afraid, though, that you will never fully understand how much I love you). Mechanistic and Physical Studies of Methane Monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) by Katherine E. Liu Submitted to the Department of Chemistry on November 14, 1994 in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry ABSTRACT In Chapter 1, progress in understanding the sMMO systems of both M. capsulatus (Bath) and M. trichosporium OB3b are reviewed. Physical parameters of the hydroxylase component determined from a variety of spectroscopic techniques are discussed. Interactions of the hydroxylase with the protein B and reductase components are outlined. Included in this discussion is how the other proteins affect both the physical characteristics and the reactivity of the hydroxylase. Studies to determine how the enzyme reacts with dioxygen in the presence and absence of substrate are presented, and mechanistic proposals for the hydroxylation reaction are given. The reduction potentials of the hydroxylase component of the soluble methane monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) are investigated through potentiometric titrations in Chapter 2. The potentials were determined by EPR spectroscopic quantitation of the mixed valent form of the hydroxylase as a function of added sodium dithionite in the presence of electron transfer mediators. Addition of substrate has little effect on the potentials, but protein B causes a dimunition of both potentials. The presence of both protein B and reductase inhibits reduction of the diiron center in the absence of substrate. When the substrate propylene is added to this system, reduction is greatly facilitated. These results reveal aspects of how both protein B and substrate can regulate electron transfer into and out of the hydroxylase component of methane monooxygenase. Chapter 3 describes studies the sMMO system by ENDOR spectroscopy. Information about the coordination sphere of the iron atoms both in the absence and presence of substrates and inhibitors is presented. Most significantly, these studies identify a proton resonance from the bridging hydroxide ligand present in the mixed-valent form of the hydroxylase. In Chapter 4, studies in which five mechanistic probes were used as substrates to investigate the possible formation of radical intermediates in the catalytic cycle of the sMMO system are outlined. No ring-opened products were observed, which suggests that the hydroxylation reaction may not proceed through substrate radical formation. A lower limit of 1013 s-1 was calculated for the rate constant of a radical rebound process to account for the 6 products recovered in the reaction. The possibility of a stereoelectronic barrier to ring opening in the active site of the enzyme is addressed through a semi-quantitative analysis of the rate constant with Marcus theory. Kinetic isotope effect experiments were also carried out. No intermolecular isotope effect was observed, which is consistent with C-H bond breaking not being involved in the rate determining step of the enzymatic reaction. Intramolecular kinetic isotope effects of kH/kD = 5 were obtained, indicating that the hydroxylation step of the reaction involves a substantial C-H bond stretching component. These results are discussed in terms of several possible detailed mechanisms for the MMO hydroxylase reaction. In Chapter 5, the use of chiral, tritiated hydrocarbons as substrates with MMO is described. These studies indicate that the stereoselectivity of the hydroxylation reaction depends on whether hydroxylation occurs at the proton or deuterium atom of the chiral carbon. A significant intermolecular kinetic isotope effect of kH/kD = 4 was obtained in most cases. The intramolecular kinetic isotope effects were much lower, and even inverted in some cases. An exchange mechanism in which the product alcohol reacts further in the active site prior to dissociation is invoked to reconcile the different stereoselectivity and the kinetic isotope effects observed with two enantiomers of the same substrate. Mechanistic implications for the overall hydroxylation reaction are discussed. The reactivity of the reduced hydroxylase protein (Hred) toward dioxygen is outlined in Chapter 6. Included in this work are the effects of protein B and the reductase on the regioselectivity, product yield, and rate constant of the hydroxylation reaction. Two intermediates in this reaction, designated L and Q, were observed. Kinetic parameters from optical stopped- flow and rapid freeze-quench M6ssbauer data indicate that Hred reacts with dioxygen initially to form L, which is subsequently converted to Q. The decay of Q occurs with concomitant production of the product alcohol and oxidized hydroxylase (Hox). The Mdssbauer parameters for both intermediates are unusual and do not match the values of any known diiron carboxylate- bridged model compounds. Based on an isomer shift of 0.66 mm/s, XmaxofO 625 nm, and an 1 8 -sensitive resonance Raman feature at 902 cm-1, L is assigned as a diiron(II) peroxide species. Intermediate Q exhibits a low isomer shift -=0.15 mm/s and is consistent with an Fe(IV) species. Proposed hydroxylation mechanisms are discussed in view of these results. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Stephen J. Lippard Title: Arthur Amos Noyes Professor of Chemistry 7 Table of Contents Page Acknowledgments ...................................................
Recommended publications
  • Dioxygen Activation in Soluble Methane Monooxygenase
    Dioxygen Activation in Soluble Methane Monooxygenase The MIT Faculty has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters. Citation Tinberg, Christine E., and Stephen J. Lippard. “Dioxygen Activation in Soluble Methane Monooxygenase.” Accounts of Chemical Research 44.4 (2011): 280–288. As Published http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ar1001473 Publisher American Chemical Society Version Author's final manuscript Citable link http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/69856 Terms of Use Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use. Dioxygen Activation in Soluble Methane Monooxygenase† Christine E. Tinberg and Stephen J. Lippard* Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 RECEIVED DATE (to be automatically inserted after your manuscript is accepted if required according to the journal that you are submitting your paper to) * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: [email protected]. Telephone: (617) 253-1892. Fax: (617) 258-8150. †Work from our laboratory discussed in this Account was funded by grant GM032134 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. 1 CONSPECTUS The controlled oxidation of methane to methanol is a chemical transformation of great industrial importance that is underutilized because of inefficient and costly synthetic procedures. Methane monooxygenase enzymes (MMOs) from methanotrophic bacteria achieve this chemistry efficiently under ambient conditions. In this Account we discuss the first step in the oxidation of methane at the carboxylate-bridged diiron active site of the soluble MMO (sMMO), namely, the reductive activation of atmospheric O2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Life of a Professor Email Print
    Log In ACS ACS Publications C&EN CAS About Subscribe Advertise Contact Join ACS Serving The Chemical, Life Sciences & Laboratory Worlds Search Adv anced Search Home Magazine News Departments Collections Blogs Multimedia Jobs Home > Volume 92 Issue 11 > The Lif e Of A Prof essor Volume 92 Issue 11 | pp. 14-18 Issue Date: March 17, 2014 0 0 MOST POPULAR COVER STORIES: TRAILBLAZER AND MENTOR Viewed Commented Shared The Life Of A Professor Email Print Spider Silk Poised For Commercial Department: Science & Technology, ACS News | Collection: Life Sciences Entry News Channels: JACS In C&EN Keywords: Priestley Medal, Stephen Lippard Controversy Clouds E-Cigarettes Reports Make Progress In Transforming C–H Bonds Into Druglike Motifs I am honored to receive the 2014 Priestley Medal. The award is a tribute to the talented Cover Stories students, both graduate and undergraduate, as well as postdoctoral associates who Global Top 50 have trained with me over nearly 50 years. I am proud of these individuals, for their Trailblazer And Mentor Milk Proteins Protect Fabrics From courage in agreeing to venture onto new snowfields to place the first footprints, for their The Life Of A Professor Fire relentless pursuit of the truth, and for their creative ideas and clever experiments that *Most Viewed in the last 7 days brought insight where previously there was often confusion. Of equal importance are the many collaborators who have greatly facilitated our ability to Advertisement make progress in areas beyond our knowledge base. If “professor” stands for “professional student,” these individuals have been my teachers. I thank them, the ACS Board of Directors who award this medal, and those who entered and supported my nomination.
    [Show full text]
  • Nitrosocyanin, a Red Cupredoxin-Like Protein from Nitrosomonas Europaea† David M
    © Copyright 2002 by the American Chemical Society Volume 41, Number 6 February 12, 2002 Accelerated Publications Nitrosocyanin, a Red Cupredoxin-like Protein from Nitrosomonas europaea† David M. Arciero,‡ Brad S. Pierce,§ Michael P. Hendrich,§ and Alan B. Hooper*,‡ Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UniVersity of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, and Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon UniVersity, Pittsburgh, PennsylVania 15213 ReceiVed NoVember 1, 2001; ReVised Manuscript ReceiVed December 20, 2001 ABSTRACT: Nitrosocyanin (NC), a soluble, red Cu protein isolated from the ammonia-oxidizing autotrophic bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea, is shown to be a homo-oligomer of 12 kDa Cu-containing monomers. Oligonucleotides based on the amino acid sequence of the N-terminus and of the C-terminal tryptic peptide were used to sequence the gene by PCR. The translated protein sequence was significantly homologous with the mononuclear cupredoxins such as plastocyanin, azurin, or rusticyanin, the type 1 copper-binding region of nitrite reductase, and the binuclear CuA binding region of N2O reductase or cytochrome oxidase. The gene for NC contains a leader sequence indicating a periplasmic location. Optical bands for the red Cu center at 280, 390, 500, and 720 nm have extinction coefficients of 13.9, 7.0, 2.2, and 0.9 mM-1, respectively. The reduction potential of NC (85 mV vs SHE) is much lower than those for known cupredoxins. Sequence alignments with homologous blue copper proteins suggested copper ligation by Cys95, His98, His103, and Glu60. Ligation by these residues (and a water), a trimeric protein structure, and a cupredoxin â-barrel fold have been established by X-ray crystallography of the protein [Lieberman, R.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 FACULTY RECOGNITION DINNER the Honorees
    The 31st Annual FACULTY RECOGNITION DINNER Kellogg Global Hub October 25, 2018 The 31st Annual FACULTY RECOGNITION DINNER is hosted by President Morton Schapiro and Provost Jonathan Holloway. It honors members of the Northwestern faculty who have brought distinction to the University by earning important external recognition in the past year. The multidisciplinary Faculty Honors Committee reviewed award recipients identified by the deans and department chairs, selecting the most prestigious awards for University recognition. Each subcommittee reviewed awards in its respective fields. Arts and Humanities Life and Medical Chris Abani Sciences Richard Kieckhefer Serdar Bulun Sara Maza Bob Lamb Saul Morson Amy Rosenzweig Natasha Trethewey Clyde Yancy Engineering and Physical Social Sciences Sciences David Austen-Smith Yonggang Huang Shari Diamond Bryna Kra Jamie Druckman Tobin Marks Jan Eberly Chad Mirkin Larry Hedges Greg Olson Joel Mokyr Monica Olvera de la Cruz John Rogers Richard Silverman The Honorees Jan Achenbach Zdeněk Bažant Honorary Doctor of Science ASME Medal Clarkson University American Society of Mechanical Engineers Emma Adam Foreign Member Lyle Spencer Research Award Academy of Athens Spencer Foundation Alfred M. Freudenthal Medal Erik Andersen American Society of Civil Engineers Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award Karl Bilimoria National Science Foundation President Association for Academic Surgery Torben Andersen Fellow Michelle Birkett Society for Economic Measurement Inaugural Member National Academies of Sciences,
    [Show full text]
  • “Metalloproteins at the Crossroads of Design & Nature”
    Virtual Symposium “Metalloproteins at the crossroads of design & nature” 27 January 2021 Keynote Lecture Prof. Hannah Shafaat Ohio State University Emergent Complexity: Reconstructing primordial energy conversion processes in model metalloproteins Abstract: Nature has evolved diverse systems to carry out energy conversion reactions. Metalloenzymes such as hydrogenase, carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, acetyl coenzyme A synthase, and methyl coenzyme M reductase use earth- abundant transition metals such as nickel and iron to generate and oxidize small-molecule fuels such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, acetate, thioesters, and methane. These reactions are highly valuable to understand and harness in the context of the impending global energy and climate crisis. However, the native enzymes require complex multimetallic cofactors, are costly to isolate, highly sensitive to external conditions, and generally poorly suited for large- scale application. We are applying metalloprotein engineering approaches in order to better understand the mechanisms of the native enzymes and develop robust functional models with potential for implementation in anthropogenic energy conversion. Robust metalloprotein scaffolds such as rubredoxin, ferredoxin, and azurin and have been converted into model systems that mimic the structure and function of complex nickel metalloenzymes. By introducing non-native metals and redesigning the primary and secondary coordination spheres, we have installed novel activity into these simple electron transfer proteins, including
    [Show full text]
  • Two Coppers Are for Methane Oxidation** Richard A
    Highlights DOI: 10.1002/anie.201003403 Methane Monooxygenase One is Lonely and Three is a Crowd: Two Coppers Are for Methane Oxidation** Richard A. Himes, Kevin Barnese, and Kenneth D. Karlin* binuclear complexes · bioinorganic chemistry · copper · methane monooxygenase · oxidation Mild activation of inert CÀH bonds attracts increasingly and catalytic reactivity,[2b] 2) a diiron active site,[4] and 3) a feverish research efforts as the global predicament of dwin- dicopper center. dling resources grows increasingly dire. The desirability of That last proposal rose to the forefront with the publica- methane as a chemical feedstock presents itself in this tion of the enzymes first X-ray crystal structure (Figure 1).[5] context: Functionalization of this simplest hydrocarbon Although a major breakthrough, this fruit of Rosenzweig and would unlock the worlds reserves of natural gas for the synthesis of necessary chemicals from this abundant C1 building block. However, with a CÀH bond strength of 104 kcalmolÀ1, methane possesses the most difficult hydro- carbon bond to oxidize. Current industrial methods for converting methane into useful chemical products incur prohibitive energy costs and lack selectivity.[1] Not so for natures methane monoxygenases, the enzymes utilized in the metabolism of CH4 by bacteria that use methane as a primary energy and biosynthetic material source. Two enzyme classes, soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) and particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO), selectively oxidize CH4 to CH3OH at ambient temperature and pressure. The well-understood sMMO employs an active- site diiron cluster to bind and activate dioxygen for this two- electron oxidation. Extensive bioinorganic research over several decades has successfully elucidated the probable mechanistic pathways for sMMO catalysis.[2] By contrast, the transmembrane protein pMMO has been recalcitrant in yielding the secrets of its structure and reactivity.
    [Show full text]
  • The Rise of Radicals in Bioinorganic Chemistry
    HHS Public Access Author manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript Author Isr J Chem Manuscript Author . Author manuscript; Manuscript Author available in PMC 2017 October 01. Published in final edited form as: Isr J Chem. 2016 October ; 56(9-10): 640–648. doi:10.1002/ijch.201600069. The Rise of Radicals in Bioinorganic Chemistry Harry B. Gray and Jay R. Winkler Beckman Institute, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA Abstract Prior to 1950, the consensus was that biological transformations occurred in two-electron steps, thereby avoiding the generation of free radicals. Dramatic advances in spectroscopy, biochemistry, and molecular biology have led to the realization that protein-based radicals participate in a vast array of vital biological mechanisms. Redox processes involving high-potential intermediates formed in reactions with O2 are particularly susceptible to radical formation. Clusters of tyrosine (Tyr) and tryptophan (Trp) residues have been found in many O2-reactive enzymes, raising the possibility that they play an antioxidant protective role. In blue copper proteins with plastocyanin- like domains, Tyr/Trp clusters are uncommon in the low-potential single-domain electron-transfer proteins and in the two-domain copper nitrite reductases. The two-domain muticopper oxidases, however, exhibit clusters of Tyr and Trp residues near the trinuclear copper active site where O2 is reduced. These clusters may play a protective role to ensure that reactive oxygen species are not liberated during O2 reduction. Keywords Electron transfer; radicals; tyrosine; tryptophan Introduction Arguably the most important chemical reaction on our planet is water oxidation to oxygen in green plants.
    [Show full text]
  • 10Th International Copper Research Meeting (Copper 2016 Sorrento)
    10th International Copper Research Meeting (Copper 2016 Sorrento) Organizers: Stephen G. Kaler, Scot C. Leary, and Roman S. Polishchuk. Post-Conference Report The 10th International Copper Research Meeting (Copper 2016) was held at the picturesque seaside town of Sorrento in Italy, running from 25-30th Sept. The meeting is held every two years, usually in a similar southern Italian coastal city and attracts researchers interested in copper across broad fields of science. This year was no exception with a strong attendance of 127 delegates with a strong representation of clinical researchers in addition to many scientists in fundamental areas including microbial, plant, human health and medicine, neuroscience, cell biology, cancer and protein structure. The location was at the Grand Hotel Vesuvio, perched up in the hills with great views overlooking Sorrento and across to Mount Vesuvius. The location was ideal and provided excellent support for the meeting. Attendance: Attendees represented many nations including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Italy and many European Union countries, Japan, United Kingdom, and USA. The conference also received strong support from the Royal Society of Chemistry journal, Metallomics with a dedicated special issue on copper research linked to the meeting (Mammalian Copper Transport and Related Disorders) and support of the best poster awards. In addition to an exciting line-up of plenary and symposia sessions, there was a strong showing of support for posters with ~50 posters and a session dedicated to oral presentations from selected poster presenters. Two poster sessions were well-attended with active scientific discussions continuing from the sessions into dinner. Importantly, there was good attendance from new delegates, and plenty of young researchers, demonstrating the continued strength and strong future for the copper research community.
    [Show full text]
  • March 2019 NUCLEUS 2-22-19Web
    DED UN 18 O 98 F http://www.nesacs.org N Y O T R E I T H C E N O A E S S S L T A E A C R C I N S M S E E H C C TI N O CA March 2019 Vol. XCVII, No.7 N • AMERI Monthly Meeting 2018 Richards Award to Chad A. Mirkin at Harvard Who Was Theodore William Richards? By M. S. Simon Volunteering with the United States Pharmacopeia By Chris Moreton Carolyn R. Bertozzi to Receive 2019 Esselen Award rings of Saturn through a four-inch tele- and precise. Hence, in trying to satisfy Who was scope by Professor Josiah Parsons a desire which had as its object the dis- Cooke, Jr. of Harvard while the family covery of more knowledge concerning Theodore was at Newport, R.I. the fundamental nature of things, one At ten he was making Pharaoh’s naturally assigns to the atomic weights Serpents with mercuric thiocyanate and an important place.” William coloring flames with various salts. He In the following years Richards and obtained money to set up a chemistry his students (if we include independent Richards? laboratory when he was 13 by printing work of Baxter and Hönigschmid, who on a hand press, copywriting, and sell- had been trained by him) determined the by M.S. Simon ing an edition of his mother’s sonnets. atomic weight of 55 of the 92 known el- Adapted from The NUCLEUS, 1996 (3) He was allowed to attend chemistry ements, in many cases in parts per ten 4 ff lectures at the University of Pennsylva- thousand, in some, parts per hundred nia, and at 14 entered and studied chem- thousand.
    [Show full text]
  • 255Th ACS National Spring Meeting Nitrogen Un
    255th ACS National Spring Meeting March 18-22, 2018 New Orleans, LA Nitrogen Un-Fixation: Mechanisms & Models of Nitrification/Denitrification Reactions Organizers Kyle Lancaster (Cornell University) Nicolai Lehnert (University of Michigan) Sunday, March 18 – SESSION 01 (MORNING) Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Room 210 Chair: Kyle Lancaster (Cornell) 8:30 Nitrite-ammonia expressway, with no stop at dinitrogen. Peter Kroneck 9:00 Evolution and modularity of ammonia oxidation pathways. Lisa Stein 9:30 Evaluating the Mechanism of NO Reduction in a Flavodiiron Nitric Oxide Reductase Model Complex. Corey White 9:50 Nitrous oxide reduction mediated by a nucleophilic nickel(II) sulfide. Trevor Hayton 10:20 Intermission. 10:30 Structure and function of particulate methane monooxygenase, an ammonia monooxygenase homolog. Amy Rosenzweig 11:00 Synthetic copper-sulfide models of CuZ with activity towards N2O and other small molecules. Neal Mankad 11:30 Revision by enzymology of bacterial ammonia oxidation. Jon Caranto 11:50 Probing Mechanisms of Nitrous Oxide Generation in a De- nitrifying Polyphosphate Accumulating Bacteria Enrichment Culture. George Wells Sunday, March 18 – SESSION 02 (AFTERNOON) Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Room 210 Chair: Sean Elliott (Boston University) 1:30 Bioinorganic aspects of nitrogen monoxide (NO) oxidation or reduction chemistry mediated at copper or heme centers. Ken Karlin 2:00 A Missing Link from Nitric Oxide to Nitrite in Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria. Kyle Lancaster 2:30 Investigation of enzymatic N2O production through isotopic analysis and engineered enzymes. Clarisse Finders 2:50 Mechanistic studies of denitrifying heme-nonheme nitric oxide reductases.** Pierre Moenne-Loccoz 3:20 Intermission. 3:30 A metallopeptide functional mimic of cytochrome c nitrite reductase.
    [Show full text]
  • Faculty Recognition Dinner
    The 32nd Annual FACULTY RECOGNITION DINNER Kellogg Global Hub January 29, 2020 The 32nd Annual FACULTY RECOGNITION DINNER Hosted by President Morton Schapiro and Provost Jonathan Holloway, the annual Faculty Recognition Dinner honors Northwestern faculty who have brought distinction to the University by earning important external recognition in the past year. The Faculty Honors Committee reviewed award recipients identified by the deans and department chairs, selecting the most prestigious awards for University recognition. Each subcommittee reviewed awards in its respective fields. Arts and Humanities Life and Medical Chris Abani Sciences Richard Kieckhefer Serdar Bulun Sara Maza David Cella Saul Morson Bob Lamb Natasha Trethewey Sue Quaggin Amy Rosenzweig Engineering and Clyde Yancy Physical Sciences Wei Chen Social Sciences Yonggang Huang David Austen-Smith Bryna Kra Shari Diamond Tobin Marks Jamie Druckman Chad Mirkin Jan Eberly Greg Olson Larry Hedges Monica Olvera de la Cruz Joel Mokyr John Rogers Richard Silverman The Honorees Jan Achenbach Chaithanya Bandi Honorary Professor Faculty Award Xiamen University National Science Foundation Luis Amaral Zdeněk Bažant Fellow Foreign Associate American Institute for Medical Engineering Academy of Japan and Biological Engineering Foreign Member Sectional Committee for Engineering, Guillermo Ameer Royal Society Fellow National Academy of Inventors Karl Bilimoria Member Erik Andersen American Surgical Association Program Grants Award International Human Frontier Bruce Bochner Science Program
    [Show full text]
  • PROBING the ACTIVE SITE of PARTICULATE METHANE MONOOXYGENASE: CRYSTALLIZATION of a NOVEL SAM-TEL/Pmmo FUSION PROTEIN
    PROBING THE ACTIVE SITE OF PARTICULATE METHANE MONOOXYGENASE: CRYSTALLIZATION OF A NOVEL SAM-TEL/pMMO FUSION PROTEIN Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for graduation with distinction in Biochemistry at The Ohio State University By Sridevi Ramalingam ***** ABSTRACT Particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) is an integral membrane metalloenzyme vital for facile methane oxidation in methanotrophic bacteria under ambient conditions. The active site and mechanism of pMMO’s conversion of methane to methanol is controversial. Previous research has suggested the existence of a mononuclear copper active site, a dinuclear copper active site, or a mononuclear zinc center based on the crystal structure of the pMMO protein. Conversely, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and X-ray absorption spectroscopies have been used to argue for a trinuclear copper cluster site. To address the ambiguity surrounding the composition of the active site, we have cloned and overexpressed a SAM-TEL/pMMO peptide fusion protein. This protein consists of a SAM-TEL polymerization domain that is used to promote facile protein crystallization and a 12-residue peptide segment from pMMO that has been proposed to bind the active site trinuclear copper cluster predicted by spectroscopy. Two different versions of SAM-TEL/pMMO protein have been successfully purified and crystallized. SAM1TEL/pMMO fusion protein contains a fused pmoA peptide per SAMTEL monomer and hexagonal crystals of this fusion protein that diffract to a resolution of 2.8 Å have been obtained. SAM3TEL/pMMO fusion protein is composed of one pmoA peptide per three SAMTEL monomers and initial crystallization efforts resulted in small rod-like protein crystals. i Chemical characterization experiments such as UV titration of SAM1TEL/pMMO fusion protein with Cu(OAc) 2 support the ability of the pmoA peptide to bind copper.
    [Show full text]