The
amino-terminal proline (Pro1) has long been thought to be a
mechanistic imperative for tautomerase superfamily (TSF) enzymes,
functioning as a general base or acid in all characterized reactions.
However, a global examination of more than 11,000 nonredundant sequences
of the TSF uncovered 346 sequences that lack Pro1. The majority (∼85%)
are found in the malonate semialdehyde decarboxylase (MSAD) subgroup
where most of the 294 sequences form a separate cluster. Four sequences
within this cluster retain Pro1. Because these four sequences might
provide clues to assist in the identification and characterization
of activities of nearby sequences without Pro1, they were examined
by kinetic, inhibition, and crystallographic studies. The most promising
of the four (from Calothrix sp. PCC 6303 designated
437) exhibited decarboxylase and tautomerase activities and was covalently
modified at Pro1 by 3-bromopropiolate. A crystal structure was obtained
for the apo enzyme (2.35 Å resolution). The formation of a 3-oxopropanoate
adduct with Pro1 provides clues to build a molecular model for the
bound ligand. The modeled ligand extends into a region that allows
interactions with three residues (Lys37, Arg56, Glu98), suggesting
that these residues can play roles in the observed decarboxylation
and tautomerization activities. Moreover, these same residues are
conserved in 16 nearby, non-Pro1 sequences in a sequence similarity
network. Thus far, these residues have not been implicated in the
mechanisms of any other TSF members. The collected observations provide
starting points for the characterization of the non-Pro1 sequences.