7RML

Neisseria meningitidis Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in complex with FAD

Summary for 7RML

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb7rml/pdb
• Descriptor: 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, FLAVIN-ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE (3 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: flavoprotein, oxidoreductase
• Biological source: Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (strain MC58)
• Total number of polymer chains: 3
• Total formula weight: 104142.56

Authors

Pederick, J.L.,Wegener, K.L.,Salaemae, W.,Bruning, J.B. (deposition date: 2021-07-27, release date: 2022-11-02, Last modification date: 2023-10-25)

Primary citation

Pantong, W.,Pederick, J.L.,Maenpuen, S.,Tinikul, R.,Jayapalan, J.J.,Jovcevski, B.,Wegener, K.L.,Bruning, J.B.,Salaemae, W.
Biochemical and structural characterization of meningococcal methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.
Protein Sci., 32:e4654-e4654, 2023

PubMed Abstract: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key metabolic enzyme in colonization and virulence of Neisseria meningitidis, a causative agent of meningococcal diseases. Here, the biochemical and structural properties of MTHFR from a virulent strain of N. meningitidis serogroup B (NmMTHFR) were characterized. Unlike other orthologs, NmMTHFR functions as a unique homohexamer, composed of three homo-dimerization partners, as shown in our 2.7 Å resolution crystal structure. Six active sites were formed solely within monomers and located away from the oligomerization interfaces. Flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor formed hydrogen bonds with conserved sidechains, positioning its isoalloxazine ring adjacent to the overlapping binding sites of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) coenzyme and CH -H folate substrate. NmMTHFR utilized NADH (K  = 44 μM) as an electron donor in the NAD(P)H-CH -H folate oxidoreductase assay, but not nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) which is the donor required in human MTHFR. In silico analysis and mutagenesis studies highlighted the significant difference in orientation of helix α7A (Phe215-Thr225) with that in the human enzyme. The extended sidechain of Met221 on helix α7A plays a role in stabilizing the folded structure of NADH in the hydrophobic box. This supports the NADH specificity by restricting the phosphate group of NADPH that causes steric clashes with Glu26. The movement of Met221 sidechain allows the CH -H folate substrate to bind. The unique topology of its NADH and CH -H folate binding pockets makes NmMTHFR a promising drug target for the development of new antimicrobial agents that may possess reduced off-target side effects.

PubMed: 37165541
DOI: 10.1002/pro.4654

Experimental method

X-RAY DIFFRACTION (2.7 Å)