Redox Enzymes for Biocatalysis: From Asymmetric Hydrogenation to CO2 Reduction Öffentlichkeit

White, David (Fall 2022)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/rb68xd191?locale=de
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Abstract

Biocatalysis is an integral aspect of society as enzymes are used to catalyze a broad range of industrial reactions with excellent efficiency and selectivity over traditional catalysts. Unfortunately, several drawbacks prevent enzymes from widespread application such as substrate scope and stability. Furthermore, the mechanisms of many enzymes are not fully understood preventing protein engineering or the development of better catalysts. This dissertation focuses on two aspects: the discovery of novel biocatalysts and deciphering the mechanistic details of potential biocatalysts.

Old Yellow Enzymes (OYE) are excellent biocatalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation, a key reaction for the synthesis of numerous industrially relevant products. Unfortunately, the substrate scope of these enzymes is limited with many possessing identical stereoselectivity. By exploring the natural diversity of the OYE family, new, novel enzymes were identified with enhanced catalytic activities and oppositive enantioselectivity. In addition, OYEs capable of desaturation, the reverse reaction, at ambient temperatures were also observed – further expanding the known reactions these enzymes can facilitate.

CO2 reduction and hydrogen production are important reactions for alternative energy sources and are catalyzed by the metalloenzymes carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) and hydrogenase. The full catalytic details of both enzymes are currently unknown preventing further application of these proteins as biocatalysts and the development of better, more efficient catalysts. For CODH, direct spectroscopic observation of CO in the active site has yet to be accomplished. To resolve this, the first photosystem incorporating CODH II from C. hydrogenoformans was developed with quantum yields 10-fold greater than previous CO2 to CO photoenzymatic systems. Infrared spectroscopy of the CO inhibited photosystem identified two IR frequencies corresponding to Ni-CO stretches in the active site. Time resolved spectroscopy indicated that both IR bands are involved in the catalytic cycle, indicating that two different bindings of CO to the Ni may be possible. For hydrogenase, the mechanism of reactivation from the oxygen-insensitive inactivated state was observed using photoreduction paired with IR spectroscopy. The [FeFe] hydrogenase from D. desulfuricans was observed converting from the Htran state to the resting Hox state, providing evidence for the previously proposed reactivation mechanism for the enzyme.

Combined this work seeks to overcome common obstacles limiting adoption of enzymes as biocatalysts, namely the lack of novel biocatalysts and understanding the mechanistic details underpinning difficult chemical transformations.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction                                                                                                              1

1.1 - A Brief Overview of Biocatalysis                                                                        2

1.2 - Redox Enzymes and their Cofactors                                                                              3

1.3 - Asymmetric Hydrogenation via Old Yellow Enzymes                                                6

1.3.1     – The Old Yellow Enzymes                                                                     6

1.3.2     – The Other Old Yellow Enzymes                                                           10

1.3.3     – Native Function and Beyond                                                                 10

1.4  - Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenase at Catalysts for CO2 Reduction                     12

1.4.1     – Artificial Photosynthesis                                                                       12

1.4.2     – The [NiFe] Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenases                                      14

1.5 – Hydrogen Production using Hydrogenase                                                                 17

1.6 Aims and Scope of this Thesis                                                                             19

1.7 References                                                                                                            21

 

Chapter 2: Exploration of the Biocatalytic Potential of the Old Yellow Enzyme Family  43

           2.1 – Introduction                                                                                                             44

           2.2 – Results and Discussion                                                                                            48

                       2.2.1 – Mapping the OYE Family using SSN                                                      48

2.2.2 - Individual Cluster Analysis                                                                       51

2.2.3 - Phylogenetic Analysis and Reorganization of the OYE Family          53

2.2.4 - Selection of Novel OYE Sequences for In Vitro Screening                           54

2.2.5 - Selection of Substrate Mixes, Reaction Conditions, and Characterized OYE Activity     55

2.2.6 - Overall OYE Activity and Cluster Specific Trends                                57

2.2.7 - Interesting Biocatalytic Candidates of Mixes I-III                                       60

2.2.8 - Redox Potential and Other Explanations for Desaturase Activity           63

2.3 – Conclusions                                                                                                             65

2.4 - Materials and Methods:                                                                                            68

2.4.1 - Generation of SSNs                                                                                   68

2.4.2 - Generation of Phylogenetic Trees                                                             68

2.4.3 - Determination of the Solubility of Selected OYEs                                 68

2.4.4 - Expression of OYE Sequences using Modified PURExpress           69

2.4.5 - Activity Assay Conditions for Novel OYE Sequences                          69

2.4.6 - GC/MS Parameters                                                                                   70

2.4.7 - Expression and Purification of Selected OYE Sequences                          70

2.4.8 - Xanthine-Xanthine Oxidase Assay for OYE Redox Determination           71

2.5 – References                                                                                                               73

 

Chapter 3: Light-Triggered Investigations into the Mechanism of Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenase     82

             3.1 – Introduction                                                                                                             83

3.2 - Results and Discussion                                                                                            87

3.2.1 – Development of an Efficient CODH II-based Photosystem for CO2 Reduction               87

3.2.2 - Infrared Absorption of CO Inhibited CODH                                            94

3.2.3 - Kinetics of Enzyme Reduction by Reduced Mediator                            97

3.2.4 – Transient Absorption for Identified Ni-CO Stretches                            99

3.3 – Conclusions                                                                                                           103

3.4 – Materials and Methods                                                                                          105

3.4.1 - Synthesis and Preparation of CdSe/CdS Dot-in-Rods (DIR)          106

3.4.2 - Ligand Exchange of CdSe/CdS DIR                                                         106

3.4.3 – Synthesis of the Mediator DQ53                                                              107

3.4.4 – Enzyme Preparation and Purification                                                     107

3.4.5 - GC Parameters and Calibration Curve for Detection of CO                           108

3.4.6   - Standard Photoreduction Assay Conditions                                          109

3.4.7   - Quantum Efficiency Calculations                                                        110

3.4.8 - Sample Preparation for Infrared Experiments                                          111

3.4.9 - Steady State CODH CO Inhibition FTIR Conditions                        111

3.4.10 - Time Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy of CODH                                          112

3.5 – References                                                                                                            114

 

Chapter 4: Photoreduction of the Air Tolerant State in [FeFe] Hydrogenases                121

4.1 – Introduction                                                                                                          122

4.2 - Results and Discussion                                                                                            124

4.2.1 - Light-Titrated Reduction of Inactivated DdHydAB                                    124

4.3 – Conclusions                                                                                                           127

4.4 - Materials and Methods                                                                                           128

4.4.1 - Synthesis and Preparation of CdSe Nanorods                                         128

4.4.2 - Ligand Exchange of CdSe Nanorods                                                      129

4.4.3 – Synthesis of PDQ                                                                                     129

4.4.4 – Enzyme Preparation                                                                               129

4.4.5 - Sample Preparation for Infrared Experiments                                         129

4.4.6 - Steady State CODH CO Inhibition FTIR Conditions                        130

4.5 – References                                                                                                             131

 

Chapter 5: Conclusions                                                                                                          134

           5.1 – Conclusions                                                                                                           135

           5.2 – Future Outlook                                                                                                      137

           5.3 – References                                                                                                             138

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