Engineering Styrene Monooxygenase for Biocatalysis: Reductase-Epoxidase Fusion Proteins

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Thomas Heine - , Freiberg University of Mining and Technology (Author)
  • Kathryn Tucker - , San Francisco State University (Author)
  • Nonye Okonkwo - , San Francisco State University (Author)
  • Berhanegebriel Assefa - , San Francisco State University (Author)
  • Catleen Conrad - , Freiberg University of Mining and Technology (Author)
  • Anika Scholtissek - , Freiberg University of Mining and Technology (Author)
  • Michael Schlömann - , Freiberg University of Mining and Technology (Author)
  • George Gassner - , San Francisco State University (Author)
  • Dirk Tischler - , Freiberg University of Mining and Technology, San Francisco State University (Author)

Abstract

The enantioselective epoxidation of styrene and related compounds by two-component styrene monooxygenases (SMOs) has targeted these enzymes for development as biocatalysts. In the present work, we prepare genetically engineered fusion proteins that join the C-terminus of the epoxidase (StyA) to the N-terminus of the reductase (StyB) through a linker peptide and demonstrate their utility as biocatalysts in the synthesis of Tyrain purple and other indigoid dyes. A single-vector expression system offers a simplified platform for transformation and expansion of the catalytic function of styrene monooxygenases, and the resulting fusion proteins are self-regulated and couple efficiently NADH oxidation to styrene epoxidation. We find that the reductase domain proceeds through a sequential ternary-complex mechanism at low FAD concentration and a double-displacement mechanism at higher concentrations of FAD. Single-turnover studies indicate an observed rate constant for FAD-to-FAD hydride transfer of ~8 s−1. This step is rate limiting in the styrene epoxidation reaction and helps to ensure that flavin reduction and styrene epoxidation reactions proceed without wasteful side reactions. Comparison of the reductase activity of the fusion proteins with the naturally occurring reductase, SMOB, and N-terminally histidine-tagged reductase, NSMOB, suggests that the observed changes in catalytic mechanism are due in part to an increase in flavin-binding affinity associated with the N-terminal extension of the reductase.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1590-1610
Number of pages21
JournalApplied biochemistry and biotechnology : discoveries and technologies in the realm of application
Volume181
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2017
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 27830466
ORCID /0000-0002-7109-2788/work/142249499

Keywords

Keywords

  • Epoxidation, Flavoprotein, Indigo, Monooxygenase, Protein engineering, Styrene

Library keywords