Ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases are multicomponent bacterial enzymes that catalyze the first step in the oxidative degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons. The dioxygenase from Sphingomonas CHY-1 is unique in that it can oxidize a wide range of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). With a crystal structure similar to that of the seven other known dioxygenases, its catalytic domain features the largest hydrophobic substrate binding cavity characterized so far. Molecular modeling studies indicated that the catalytic cavity is large enough to accommodate a five-ring benzo [a]pyrene molecule. The predicted positions of this and other PAHs in the substrate binding pocket are consistent with the product regio-and stereo-selectivity of the enzyme.
Keywordsdioxygenase; catalytic domain; mononuclear iron; bioremediation; high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons The first step in the biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons by aerobic bacteria often involves a dihydroxylation on two adjacent carbon atoms of the aromatic ring, catalyzed by a ringhydroxylating dioxygenase (RHD). RHDs form a large family of enzymes, very diverse in terms of substrate specificity and protein sequence [1]. Their role is crucial in the degradation of many organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are notorious for their resistance to biodegradation. Several bacteria were found to degrade PAHs but only a few have been reported to attack four and five ring PAHs [2,3]. In Sphingomonas strain CHY-1 a single RHD has been shown to be responsible for the oxidation of a wide range of PAHs [4]. This dioxygenase consists of three components, a NADH-dependent reductase (PhnA4), a ferredoxin containing a Rieske type [2Fe-2S] cluster (PhnA3), and a terminal oxygenase, PhnI, containing both a mononuclear iron [Fe 2+ ] and a [2Fe-2S] Rieske cluster [5]. Recent biochemical studies showed that the dioxygenase from strain CHY-1 was able to oxidize at least eight PAHs made of 2 to 5 aromatic rings, in contrast to most other dioxygenases, whose selectivity is limited to 2 and 3 ring PAHs [6,7,8]. A positive electron density observed in the PhnI refined three-dimensional structure served as probe in modeling different substrates in the catalytic pocket. This study presents evidence that the broad substrateCorresponding author: Vivian Stojanoff, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton NY 11973 US, Tel.: 1 631 344 8375; Fax: 1 631 344 3238, Email : vivian.stojanoff@gmail.gov. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
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