Characterization of a Tryptophan 6-Halogenase from Streptomyces albus and Its Regioselectivity Determinants

Tryptophan halogenases are found in diverse organisms and catalyze regiospecific halogenation. They play an important role in the biosynthesis of halogenated indole alkaloids, which are biologically active and of therapeutic importance. Here, a tryptophan 6-halogenase (SatH) from Streptomyces albus was characterized by using a whole-cell reaction system in Escherichia coli. SatH showed substrate specificity for chloride and bromide ions, leading to regiospecific halogenation at the C6-position of l -tryptophan. In addition, SatH exhibited higher performance in bromination than that of previously reported tryptophan halogenases in the whole-cell reaction system. Through structure-based protein mutagenesis, it has been revealed that two consecutive residues, A78/V79 in SatH and G77/I78 in PyrH, are key determinants in the regioselectivity difference between tryptophan 6- and 5-halogenases. Substituting the AV with GI residues switched the regioselectivity of SatH by moving the orientation of tryptophan. These data contribute to an understanding of the key residues that determine the regioselectivity of tryptophan halogenases.     

ACE2, the Receptor that Enables Infection by SARS-CoV-2: Biochemistry,Structure, Allostery and Evaluation of the Potential Development of ACE2 Modulators

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the human receptor that interacts with the spike protein of coronaviruses, including the one that produced the 2020 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Thus, ACE2 is a potential target for drugs that disrupt the interaction of human cells with SARS-CoV-2 to abolish infection. There is also interest in drugs that inhibit or activate ACE2, that is, for cardiovascular disorders or colitis. Compounds binding at alternative sites could allosterically affect the interaction with the spike protein. Herein, we review biochemical, chemical biology, and structural information on ACE2, including the recent cryoEM structures of full-length ACE2. We conclude that ACE2 is very dynamic and that allosteric drugs could be developed to target ACE2. At the time of the 2020 pandemic, we suggest that available ACE2 inhibitors or activators in advanced development should be tested for their ability to allosterically displace the interaction between ACE2 and the spike protein.     

Synthesis and physicochemical characteristics of polymolybdenum(VI) phenylsiloxanes by means of different methods

Interaction of molybdenyl(VI) bis(acetylacetonate) with polyphenylsiloxane in xylene and under mechanochemical activation conditions has been investigated. The interaction in solution proceeds with splitting of the siloxane bond and formation of polymolybdenum(VI) phenylsiloxane with different silicon/metal ratios. The fractions with the silicon/metal ratio < 2 are characterized with high degree of crystallinity and low solubility, whereas those with the ratio > 2 are amorphous. The interaction of the above reagents under mechanical activation conditions proceeds with the formation of soluble polymers similar to those obtained in a solution with the silicon/molybdenum ratio equal to 2.6. The crystal chemistry parameters of the fraction obtained in solution with the ratio Si/Mo equals to 1:2 have been calculated on the basis of the X-ray diffraction analysis data using the Debye–Shearer equation. It has been demonstrated that the chain cross section found using the Miller–Boyer method coincides with that calculated geometrically on the basis of literature data on bond lengths and angles. It is shown that the interaction of molybdenyl(VI) bis(acetylacetonate) with polyphenylsiloxane takes place in solution more deeply than under the conditions of mechanochemical activation and is accompanied by the process of separation siloxanes connection. This leads to the formation of a fraction with smaller ratio of substances than the initial ratio.