P-cluster maturation on nitrogenase MoFe protein

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Jun 19;104(25):10424-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0704297104. Epub 2007 Jun 11.

Abstract

Biosynthesis of nitrogenase P-cluster has attracted considerable attention because it is biologically important and chemically unprecedented. Previous studies suggest that P-cluster is formed from a precursor consisting of paired [4Fe-4S]-like clusters and that P-cluster is assembled stepwise on MoFe protein, i.e., one cluster is assembled before the other. Here, we specifically tackle the assembly of the second P-cluster by combined biochemical and spectroscopic approaches. By using a P-cluster maturation assay that is based on purified components, we show that the maturation of the second P-cluster requires the concerted action of NifZ, Fe protein, and MgATP and that the action of NifZ is required before that of Fe protein/MgATP, suggesting that NifZ may act as a chaperone that facilitates the subsequent action of Fe protein/MgATP. Furthermore, we provide spectroscopic evidence that the [4Fe-4S] cluster-like fragments can be converted to P-clusters, thereby firmly establishing the physiological relevance of the previously identified P-cluster precursor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Azotobacter vinelandii / enzymology
  • Azotobacter vinelandii / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Gene Deletion
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins / genetics
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Molybdoferredoxin / chemistry*
  • Molybdoferredoxin / isolation & purification
  • Molybdoferredoxin / metabolism*
  • Spectrophotometry

Substances

  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins
  • Molybdoferredoxin
  • Adenosine Triphosphate