2E4O

X-ray Crystal Structure of Aristolochene Synthase from Aspergillus terreus and the Evolution of Templates for the Cyclization of Farnesyl Diphosphate


Experimental Data Snapshot

  • Method: X-RAY DIFFRACTION
  • Resolution: 2.20 Å
  • R-Value Free: 0.272 
  • R-Value Work: 0.222 
  • R-Value Observed: 0.222 

Starting Model: experimental
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This is version 1.3 of the entry. See complete history


Literature

X-ray crystal structure of aristolochene synthase from Aspergillus terreus and evolution of templates for the cyclization of farnesyl diphosphate.

Shishova, E.Y.Di Costanzo, L.Cane, D.E.Christianson, D.W.

(2007) Biochemistry 46: 1941-1951

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/bi0622524
  • Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
    2E4O, 2OA6

  • PubMed Abstract: 

    Aristolochene synthase from Aspergillus terreus catalyzes the cyclization of the universal sesquiterpene precursor, farnesyl diphosphate, to form the bicyclic hydrocarbon aristolochene. The 2.2 A resolution X-ray crystal structure of aristolochene synthase reveals a tetrameric quaternary structure in which each subunit adopts the alpha-helical class I terpene synthase fold with the active site in the "open", solvent-exposed conformation. Intriguingly, the 2.15 A resolution crystal structure of the complex with Mg2+3-pyrophosphate reveals ligand binding only to tetramer subunit D, which is stabilized in the "closed" conformation required for catalysis. Tetramer assembly may hinder conformational changes required for the transition from the inactive open conformation to the active closed conformation, thereby accounting for the attenuation of catalytic activity with an increase in enzyme concentration. In both conformations, but especially in the closed conformation, the active site contour is highly complementary in shape to that of aristolochene, and a catalytic function is proposed for the pyrophosphate anion based on its orientation with regard to the presumed binding mode of aristolochene. A similar active site contour is conserved in aristolochene synthase from Penicillium roqueforti despite the substantial divergent evolution of these two enzymes, while strikingly different active site contours are found in the sesquiterpene cyclases 5-epi-aristolochene synthase and trichodiene synthase. Thus, the terpenoid cyclase active site plays a critical role as a template in binding the flexible polyisoprenoid substrate in the proper conformation for catalysis. Across the greater family of terpenoid cyclases, this template is highly evolvable within a conserved alpha-helical fold for the synthesis of terpene natural products of diverse structure and stereochemistry.


  • Organizational Affiliation

    Roy and Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, USA.


Macromolecules
Find similar proteins by:  (by identity cutoff)  |  3D Structure
Entity ID: 1
MoleculeChains Sequence LengthOrganismDetailsImage
Aristolochene synthase
A, B, C, D
320Aspergillus terreusMutation(s): 0 
Gene Names: Ari1
EC: 4.2.3.9
UniProt
Find proteins for Q9UR08 (Aspergillus terreus)
Explore Q9UR08 
Go to UniProtKB:  Q9UR08
Entity Groups  
Sequence Clusters30% Identity50% Identity70% Identity90% Identity95% Identity100% Identity
UniProt GroupQ9UR08
Sequence Annotations
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  • Reference Sequence
Small Molecules
Ligands 3 Unique
IDChains Name / Formula / InChI Key2D Diagram3D Interactions
MES
Query on MES

Download Ideal Coordinates CCD File 
K [auth D]2-(N-MORPHOLINO)-ETHANESULFONIC ACID
C6 H13 N O4 S
SXGZJKUKBWWHRA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
BME
Query on BME

Download Ideal Coordinates CCD File 
E [auth A],
F [auth A],
I [auth C],
J [auth C],
L [auth D]
BETA-MERCAPTOETHANOL
C2 H6 O S
DGVVWUTYPXICAM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
CL
Query on CL

Download Ideal Coordinates CCD File 
G [auth B],
H [auth C]
CHLORIDE ION
Cl
VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M
Experimental Data & Validation

Experimental Data

  • Method: X-RAY DIFFRACTION
  • Resolution: 2.20 Å
  • R-Value Free: 0.272 
  • R-Value Work: 0.222 
  • R-Value Observed: 0.222 
  • Space Group: P 1 21 1
Unit Cell:
Length ( Å )Angle ( ˚ )
a = 61.19α = 90
b = 147.242β = 97.91
c = 83.736γ = 90
Software Package:
Software NamePurpose
CBASSdata collection
PHASERphasing
CNSrefinement
HKL-2000data reduction
HKL-2000data scaling

Structure Validation

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Entry History 

Deposition Data

Revision History  (Full details and data files)

  • Version 1.0: 2007-01-23
    Type: Initial release
  • Version 1.1: 2008-04-30
    Changes: Version format compliance
  • Version 1.2: 2011-07-13
    Changes: Version format compliance
  • Version 1.3: 2023-10-25
    Changes: Data collection, Database references, Derived calculations, Refinement description