Backbone dynamics in dihydrofolate reductase complexes: Role of loop flexibility in the catalytic mechanism

M. J. Osborne, J. Schnell, S. J. Benkovic, H. J. Dyson, P. E. Wright

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

235 Scopus citations

Abstract

To elucidate the influence of local motion of the polypeptide chain on the catalytic mechanism of an enzyme, we have measured 15N relaxation data for Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase in three different complexes, representing different stages in the catalytic cycle of the enzyme. NMR relaxation data were analyzed by the model-free approach, corrected for rotational anisotropy, to provide insights into the backbone dynamics. There are significant differences in the backbone dynamics in the different complexes. Complexes in which the cofactor binding site is occluded by the Met20 loop display large amplitude motions on the picosecond/nanosecond time scale for residues in the Met20 loop, the adjacent βF-βG loop and for residues 67-69 in the adenosine binding loop. Formation of the closed Met20 loop conformation in the ternary complex with folate and NADP+, results in attenuation of the motions in the Met20 loop and the βF-βG loop but leads to increased flexibility in the adenosine binding loop. New fluctuations on a microsecond/millisecond time scale are observed in the closed E:folate:NADP+ complex in regions that form hydrogen bonds between the Met20 and the βF-βG loops. The data provide insights into the changes in backbone dynamics during the catalytic cycle and point to an important role of the Met20 and βF-βG loops in controlling access to the active site. The high flexibility of these loops in the occluded conformation is expected to promote tetrahydrofolate-assisted product release and facilitate binding of the nicotinamide ring to form the Michaelis complex. The backbone fluctuations in the Met20 loop become attenuated once it closes over the active site, thereby stabilizing the nicotinamide ring in a geometry conducive to hydride transfer. Finally, the relaxation data provide evidence for long-range motional coupling between the adenosine binding loop and distant regions of the protein.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)9846-9859
Number of pages14
JournalBiochemistry
Volume40
Issue number33
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 21 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry

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