Characterisation of an unusual cysteine pair in the Rieske carnitine monooxygenase CntA catalytic site.
Quareshy, M., Shanmugam, M., Cameron, A.D., Bugg, T.D.H., Chen, Y.(2023) FEBS J 
- PubMed: 36617384 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.16722
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
6Y9C - PubMed Abstract: 
Rieske monooxygenases undertake complex catalysis integral to marine, terrestrial and human gut-ecosystems. Group-I to -IV Rieske monooxygenases accept aromatic substrates and have well-characterised catalytic mechanisms. Nascent to our understanding are Group-V members catalysing the oxidation/breakdown of quaternary ammonium substrates. Phylogenetic analysis of Group V highlights a cysteine residue-pair adjacent to the mononuclear Fe active site with no established role. Following our elucidation of the carnitine monooxygenase CntA structure, we probed the function of the cysteine pair Cys206/Cys209. Utilising biochemical and biophysical techniques, we found the cysteine residues do not play a structural role nor influence the electron transfer pathway, but rather are used in a nonstoichiometric role to ensure the catalytic iron centre remains in an Fe(II) state.
Organizational Affiliation: 
School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.