Characterization of Enzymes Catalyzing Transformations of Cysteine S‐Conjugated Intermediates in the Lincosamide Biosynthetic Pathway

Lincosamides such as lincomycin A, celesticetin, and Bu‐2545, constitute an important group of antibiotics. These natural products are characterized by a thiooctose linked to a l ‐proline residue, but they differ with regards to modifications of the thioacetal moiety, the pyrrolidine ring, and the octose core. Here we report that the pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate‐dependent enzyme CcbF (celesticetin biosynthetic pathway) is a decarboxylating deaminase that converts a cysteine S‐conjugated intermediate into an aldehyde. In contrast, the homologous enzyme LmbF (lincomycin biosynthetic pathway) catalyzes C?S bond cleavage of the same intermediate to afford a thioglycoside. We show that Ccb4 and LmbG (downstream methyltransferases) convert the aldehyde and thiol intermediates into a variety of methylated lincosamide compounds including Bu‐2545. The substrates used in these studies are the β‐anomers of the natural substrates. The findings not only provide insight into how the biosynthetic pathway of lincosamide antibiotics can bifurcate to generate different lincosamides, but also reveal the promiscuity of the enzymes involved.     

The Effect of 5′-Adenylic Acid on Hepatic Proteome of Mice Radiated by 60Co γ-ray

Understanding the protection mechanism of 5′-AMP requires comprehensive knowledge of the proteins expressed during the period that the body is exposed to irradiation. Proteomics provides the tools for such analyses. Here, the experimental ICR mice were divided into three groups (normal group, model group and 5′-AMP + irradiation group). After different treatment, the hepatic total protein of each animal in three groups was separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). 2-DE analysis revealed fifty-eight protein spots were differentially expressed in comparison to three groups. From 58 protein spots, we selected nine spots to identify by MALDI-TOF-MS and received credible results. They were determined to be type I arginase, annexin A5, regucalcin, catalase, Tpm3 protein, Pdia4 protein, 14-3-3 protein epsilon, NAD-Malate dehydrogenase and heat shock protein 90. Considering the characteristic of these proteins, we proposed a possible protection pathway.     

Large-Scale Domain Motions and Pyridoxal-5′-Phosphate Assisted Radical Catalysis in Coenzyme B12-Dependent Aminomutases

Lysine 5,6-aminomutase (5,6-LAM) and ornithine 4,5-aminomutase (4,5-OAM) are two of the rare enzymes that use assistance of two vitamins as cofactors. These enzymes employ radical generating capability of coenzyme B₁₂ (5′-deoxyadenosylcobalamin, dAdoCbl) and ability of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP, vitamin B₆) to stabilize high-energy intermediates for performing challenging 1,2-amino rearrangements between adjacent carbons. A large-scale domain movement is required for interconversion between the catalytically inactive open form and the catalytically active closed form. In spite of all the similarities, these enzymes differ in substrate specificities. 4,5-OAM is highly specific for d-ornithine as a substrate while 5,6-LAM can accept d-lysine and l-β-lysine. This review focuses on recent computational, spectroscopic and structural studies of these enzymes and their implications on the related enzymes. Additionally, we also discuss the potential biosynthetic application of 5,6-LAM.