Origin of product selectivity in a prenyl transfer reaction from the same intermediate: exploration of multiple FtmPT1-catalyzed prenyl transfer pathways

Biochemistry. 2014 Sep 30;53(38):6126-38. doi: 10.1021/bi500747z. Epub 2014 Sep 16.

Abstract

FtmPT1 is a fungal indole prenyltransferase that catalyzes the reaction of tryptophan derivatives with dimethylallyl pyrophosphate to form various biologically active compounds. Herein, we describe detailed studies of FtmPT1 catalysis involving dimethylallyl pyrophosphate and Brevianamide F following the native pathway (yielding Tryprostatin B) and an alternate pathway observed in the Gly115Thr mutant of FtmPT1 yielding a novel cyclized product. Importantly, these two products arise from the same intermediate state, meaning that a step other than the cleavage of the dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP; C-O) bond is differentiating between the two product reaction channels. From detailed potential of mean force (PMF) and two-dimensional PMF analyses, we conclude that the rate-limiting step is the cleavage of the C-O bond in DMAPP, while the deprotonation/cyclization step determines the final product distribution. Hence, in the case of FtmPT1, the optimization of the necessary catalytic machinery guides the generation of the final product after formation of the intermediate carbocation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Dimethylallyltranstransferase / genetics
  • Dimethylallyltranstransferase / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Hemiterpenes / chemistry
  • Hemiterpenes / metabolism
  • Indole Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Indole Alkaloids / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Neoprene / metabolism*
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / chemistry
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / metabolism
  • Piperazines / chemistry
  • Piperazines / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Hemiterpenes
  • Indole Alkaloids
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Piperazines
  • brevianamide F
  • prenyl
  • tryprostatin B
  • 3,3-dimethylallyl pyrophosphate
  • Neoprene
  • Dimethylallyltranstransferase
  • FtmPT1 protein, Aspergillus fumigatus