Substrate Report for: Styrene-oxide

AIM: mesT of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a hypothetical/putative epoxide hydrolase, is predicted to convert toxic epoxides to the more water-soluble and less toxic diols. Detailed characterization of the protein was carried out.
RESULTS: mesT demonstrated esterase as well as epoxide hydrolase activity. It was membrane bound and was upregulated under hypoxic conditions. The enzyme was able to degrade styrene oxide. The presence of antisense against this gene resulted in the inhibition of in vitro bacterial growth/survival in the presence of styrene oxide. Conclusion & future perspective: We demonstrated that mesT possessed epoxide hydrolase activity and styrene oxide might be its physiological substrate. Inhibition of mesT reduced the growth of the bacteria in presence of styrene oxide and its expression under hypoxic condition suggested its role in intracellular survival of bacteria.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes an epoxide hydrolase with catalytic activity that triggers degradation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and perturbs other host defense networks. Targets of this CFTR inhibitory factor (Cif) are largely unknown, but include an epoxy-fatty acid. In this class of signaling molecules, chirality can be an important determinant of physiological output and potency. Here we explore the active-site chemistry of this two-step alpha/beta-hydrolase and its implications for an emerging class of virulence enzymes. In combination with hydrolysis data, crystal structures of 15 trapped hydroxyalkyl-enzyme intermediates reveal the stereochemical basis of Cif's substrate specificity, as well as its regioisomeric and enantiomeric preferences. The structures also reveal distinct sets of conformational changes that enable the active site to expand dramatically in two directions, accommodating a surprising array of potential physiological epoxide targets. These new substrates may contribute to Cif's diverse effects in vivo, and thus to the success of P. aeruginosa and other pathogens during infection.

Epoxide hydrolase (EH) enzymes catalyze the hydration of racemic epoxides to yield their corresponding vicinal diols. These enzymes present different enantio- and regioselectivity depending upon either the substrate structure or the substitution pattern of the epoxide ring. In this study, we computationally investigate the Bacillus megaterium epoxide hydrolase (BmEH)-mediated hydrolysis of racemic styrene oxide (rac-SO) and its para-nitro styrene oxide (rac-p-NSO) derivative using density functional theory (DFT) and an active site cluster model consisting of 195 and 197 atoms, respectively. Full reaction mechanisms for epoxide ring opening were evaluated considering the attack at both oxirane carbons and considering two possible orientations of the substrate at the BmEH active site. Our results indicate that for both SO and p-NSO substrates the BmEH enantio- and regioselectivity is opposite to the inherent (R)-BmEH selectivity, the attack at the benzylic position (C1) of the (S)-enantiomer being the most favoured chemical outcome.

The genus Streptomyces is characterized by the production of a wide variety of secondary metabolites with remarkable biological activities and broad antibiotic capabilities. The presence of an unprecedented number of genes encoding hydrolytic enzymes with industrial appeal such as epoxide hydrolases (EHs) reveals its resourceful microscopic machinery. The whole-genome sequence of Streptomyces sp. CBMAI 2042, an endophytic actinobacterium isolated from Citrus sinensis branches, was explored by genome mining, and a putative alpha/beta-epoxide hydrolase named B1EPH2 and encoded by 344 amino acids was selected for functional and structural studies. The crystal structure of B1EPH2 was obtained at a resolution of 2.2 and it was found to have a similar fold to other EHs, despite its hexameric quaternary structure, which contrasts with previously solved dimeric and monomeric EH structures. While B1EPH2 has a high sequence similarity to EHB from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, its cavity is similar to that of human EH. A group of 12 aromatic and aliphatic racemic epoxides were assayed to determine the activity of B1EPH2; remarkably, this enzyme was able to hydrolyse all the epoxides to the respective 1,2-diols, indicating a wide-range substrate scope acceptance. Moreover, the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of styrene oxide, epichlorohydrin and 1,2-epoxybutane were used to monitor enantiopreference. Taken together, the functional and structural analyses indicate that this enzyme is an attractive biocatalyst for future biotechnological applications.

Two novel epoxide hydrolases (EHs), Sibe-EH and CH65-EH, were identified in the metagenomes of samples collected in hot springs in Russia and China, respectively. The two alpha/beta hydrolase superfamily fold enzymes were cloned, over-expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized. The new EHs were active toward a broad range of substrates, and in particular, Sibe-EH was excellent in the desymmetrization of cis-2,3-epoxybutane producing the (2R,3R)-diol product with ee exceeding 99%. Interestingly these enzymes also hydrolyse (4R)-limonene-1,2-epoxide with Sibe-EH being specific for the trans isomer. The Sibe-EH is a monomer in solution whereas the CH65-EH is a dimer. Both enzymes showed high melting temperatures with the CH65-EH being the highest at 85 degrees C retaining 80% of its initial activity after 3 h thermal treatment at 70 degrees C making it the most thermal tolerant wild type epoxide hydrolase described. The Sibe-EH and CH65-EH have been crystallized and their structures determined to high resolution, 1.6 and 1.4 A, respectively. The CH65-EH enzyme forms a dimer via its cap domains with different relative orientation of the monomers compared to previously described EHs. The entrance to the active site cavity is located in a different position in CH65-EH and Sibe-EH in relation to other known bacterial and mammalian EHs.

AIM: mesT of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a hypothetical/putative epoxide hydrolase, is predicted to convert toxic epoxides to the more water-soluble and less toxic diols. Detailed characterization of the protein was carried out.
RESULTS: mesT demonstrated esterase as well as epoxide hydrolase activity. It was membrane bound and was upregulated under hypoxic conditions. The enzyme was able to degrade styrene oxide. The presence of antisense against this gene resulted in the inhibition of in vitro bacterial growth/survival in the presence of styrene oxide. Conclusion & future perspective: We demonstrated that mesT possessed epoxide hydrolase activity and styrene oxide might be its physiological substrate. Inhibition of mesT reduced the growth of the bacteria in presence of styrene oxide and its expression under hypoxic condition suggested its role in intracellular survival of bacteria.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes an epoxide hydrolase with catalytic activity that triggers degradation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and perturbs other host defense networks. Targets of this CFTR inhibitory factor (Cif) are largely unknown, but include an epoxy-fatty acid. In this class of signaling molecules, chirality can be an important determinant of physiological output and potency. Here we explore the active-site chemistry of this two-step alpha/beta-hydrolase and its implications for an emerging class of virulence enzymes. In combination with hydrolysis data, crystal structures of 15 trapped hydroxyalkyl-enzyme intermediates reveal the stereochemical basis of Cif's substrate specificity, as well as its regioisomeric and enantiomeric preferences. The structures also reveal distinct sets of conformational changes that enable the active site to expand dramatically in two directions, accommodating a surprising array of potential physiological epoxide targets. These new substrates may contribute to Cif's diverse effects in vivo, and thus to the success of P. aeruginosa and other pathogens during infection.

A new homology model of human microsomal epoxide hydrolase was derived based on multiple templates. The model obtained was fully evaluated, including MD simulations and ensemble-based docking, showing that the quality of the structure is better than that of only previously known model. Particularly, a catalytic triad was clearly identified, in agreement with the experimental information available. Analysis of intermediates in the enzymatic mechanism led to the identification of key residues for substrate binding, stereoselectivity, and intermediate stabilization during the reaction. In particular, we have confirmed the role of the oxyanion hole and the conserved motif (HGXP) in epoxide hydrolases, in excellent agreement with known experimental and computational data on similar systems. The model obtained is the first one that fully agrees with all the experimental observations on the system. Proteins 2017; 85:720-730. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Epoxide hydrolase (EH) enzymes catalyze the hydration of racemic epoxides to yield their corresponding vicinal diols. These enzymes present different enantio- and regioselectivity depending upon either the substrate structure or the substitution pattern of the epoxide ring. In this study, we computationally investigate the Bacillus megaterium epoxide hydrolase (BmEH)-mediated hydrolysis of racemic styrene oxide (rac-SO) and its para-nitro styrene oxide (rac-p-NSO) derivative using density functional theory (DFT) and an active site cluster model consisting of 195 and 197 atoms, respectively. Full reaction mechanisms for epoxide ring opening were evaluated considering the attack at both oxirane carbons and considering two possible orientations of the substrate at the BmEH active site. Our results indicate that for both SO and p-NSO substrates the BmEH enantio- and regioselectivity is opposite to the inherent (R)-BmEH selectivity, the attack at the benzylic position (C1) of the (S)-enantiomer being the most favoured chemical outcome.

Using the cell-free extract of engineered E. coli/Aueh2, expressing the recombinant Aspergillus usamii epoxide hydrolase (reAuEH2), as a biocatalyst, the kinetic resolution technique of racemic styrene oxide (rac-SO) was examined. In a phosphate buffer system (50mM, pH 7.0), 200mM rac-SO was efficiently resolved, obtaining (S)-SO with 98.1% enantiomeric excess (e.e.), whereas (S)-SO only with 45.2% e.e. was obtained from 750mM rac-SO. The analytical results verified that reAuEH2 shows tolerance towards high substrate concentration but is inactivated at a product concentration of 300mM. To produce (S)-SO with the high concentration, e.e. and volumetric productivity, n-hexanol was selected from a variety of water-miscible and water-immiscible organic solvents to construct an n-hexanol/buffer biphasic system. The optimal phase volume ratio, substrate over enzyme ratio and temperature were 1:1 (v/v), 6:1 (w/w) and 25 degrees C, respectively. In an optimized biocatalytic system, a gram-scale resolution of rac-SO at a high concentration of 1M (120g/L) was performed at 25 degrees C for 2h, obtaining (S)-SO with 98.2% e.e., 34.3% yield (maximum yield of 50%). The substrate concentration and volumetric productivity (1M, 20.6g/L/h) in a biphasic system significantly increased compared with those (0.2M, 3.1g/L/h) in a phosphate buffer system. The efficient resolution of rac-SO at a high concentration in a biphasic system makes it a promising technique for preparing a highly value-added enantiopure (S)-SO with high volumetric productivity.

The full-length cDNA sequence of Aueh2, a gene encoding an epoxide hydrolase of Aspergillus usamii E001 (abbreviated to AuEH2), was amplified from the total RNA. Synchronously, the complete DNA sequence containing 5', 3' flanking regions, eight exons and seven introns was cloned from the genomic DNA. In addition, a cDNA fragment of Aueh2 encoding a 395-aa AuEH2 was expressed in Escherichia coli. The catalytic activity of recombinant AuEH2 (re-AuEH2) was 1.44 U/ml using racemic styrene oxide (SO) as the substrate. The purified re-AuEH2 displayed the maximum activity at pH 7.0 and 35 degrees C. It was highly stable at a pH range of 5.0-7.5, and at 40 degrees C or below. Its activity was not obviously influenced by beta-mercaptoethanol, EDTA and most of metal ions tested, but was inhibited by Hg(2+), Sn(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+) and Zn(2+). The K m and V max of re-AuEH2 were 5.90 mM and 20.1 U/mg towards (R)-SO, while 7.66 mM and 3.19 U/mg towards (S)-SO. Its enantiomeric ratio (E) for resolution of racemic SO was 24.2 at 10 degrees C. The experimental result of re-AuEH2 biasing towards (R)-SO was consistent with the analytical one by molecular docking (MD) simulation.

The white-rot basidiomycetes Phanerochaete chrysosporium is a model fungus used to investigate the secondary metabolism and lignin degradation. Genomic sequencing reveals the presence of at least 18 genes encoding putative epoxide hydrolases (EHs). One cDNA encoding EH (designated as PchEHA) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Transcriptional analysis demonstrated that the transcripts of PchEHA could be detected under the ligninolytic and nonligninolytic conditions as well as amended with anthracene. The recombinant enzyme exhibits broad hydrolytic activity toward several racemic epoxides including styrene oxide, epichlorohydrin, and 1,2-epoxybutane, but with different specificity. Using racemic styrene oxide as the substrate, the optimal pH and temperature are pH 9.0 and 40 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme is not sensitive to EDTA, and is inhibited by H2O2, and several metal ions including Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Hg(2+) at various extents. Several organic cosolvents including acetone, dimethylsulfoxide, formamide, glycerol and ethanol at 10% (v/v) cause slight or no inhibition of the hydrolytic reaction. More importantly, the recombinant enzyme displays distinct enantioselective preference to several chiral epoxides. The enzyme showed good enantioselectivity toward chiral styrene oxide with preferential hydrolysis of (R)-enantiomer. PchEHA is likely a novel soluble EH based on the sequence analysis and catalytic properties, and is a great potential biocatalyst for the preparation of enantiopure styrene oxide in racemic kinetic resolution.

An open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative epoxide hydrolase (EHase) was identified by analyzing the genome sequence of Sphingophyxis alaskensis. The EHase gene (seh) was cloned and expressed in E. coli. To facilitate purification, the gene was fused in-frame to 6x histidine at the C-terminus. The recombinant EHase (rSEH) was highly soluble and could be purified to apparent homogeneity by one step of metal affinity chromatography. The purified SEH displayed hydrolyzing activities toward various epoxides such as styrene oxide, glycidyl phenyl ether, epoxyhexane, epoxybutane, epichlorohydrin, and epifluorohydrin. The optimum activity toward styrene oxide was observed at pH 6.5 and 35 degrees . The purified SEH showed a cold-adapted property, displaying more than 40% of activity at low temperature of 10 degrees compared with the optimum activity. Despite the catalytic efficiency, the purified SEH did not hydrolyze various epoxides enantioselectively. Km and kcat of SEH toward (R)-styrene oxide were calculated as 4+/-0.3 mM and 7.42 s(-1), respectively, whereas Km and kcat of SEH toward (S)-styrene oxide were 5.25+/-0.3 mM and 10.08 s(-1), respectively.

The enantioselectivity of epoxide hydrolase from Agrobacterium radiobacter (EchA) was improved using error-prone PCR and DNA shuffling. An agar plate assay was used to screen the mutant libraries for activity. Screening for improved enantioselectivity was subsequently done by spectrophotometric progress curve analysis of the conversion of para-nitrophenyl glycidyl ether (pNPGE). Kinetic resolutions showed that eight mutants were obtained with up to 13-fold improved enantioselectivity toward pNPGE and at least three other epoxides. The large enhancements in enantioselectivity toward epichlorohydrin and 1,2-epoxyhexane indicated that pNPGE acts as an epoxyalkane mimic. Active site mutations were found in all shuffled mutants, which can be explained by an interaction of the affected amino acid with the epoxide oxygen or the hydrophobic moiety of the substrate. Several mutations in the shuffled mutants had additive effects.