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  • Crystal Structure of HydF S...
    Cendron, Laura; Berto, Paola; D'Adamo, Sarah; Vallese, Francesca; Govoni, Chiara; Posewitz, Matthew C.; Giacometti, Giorgio M.; Costantini, Paola; Zanotti, Giuseppe

    The Journal of biological chemistry, 12/2011, Volume: 286, Issue: 51
    Journal Article

    FeFe-hydrogenases catalyze the reversible production of H2 in some bacteria and unicellular eukaryotes. These enzymes require ancillary proteins to assemble the unique active site H-cluster, a complex structure composed of a 2Fe center bridged to a 4Fe-4S cubane. The first crystal structure of a key factor in the maturation process, HydF, has been determined at 3 Å resolution. The protein monomer present in the asymmetric unit of the crystal comprises three domains: a GTP-binding domain, a dimerization domain, and a metal cluster-binding domain, all characterized by similar folding motifs. Two monomers dimerize, giving rise to a stable dimer, held together mainly by the formation of a continuous β-sheet comprising eight β-strands from two monomers. Moreover, in the structure presented, two dimers aggregate to form a supramolecular organization that represents an inactivated form of the HydF maturase. The crystal structure of the latter furnishes several clues about the events necessary for cluster generation/transfer and provides an excellent model to begin elucidating the structure/function of HydF in FeFe-hydrogenase maturation. Background: HydF is a GTPase essential for maturation of FeFe-hydrogenase. Results: The first crystal structure of HydF has been determined. Conclusion: The protein monomer comprises a GTP-binding domain, a dimerization domain, and a metal-cluster binding domain. Two monomers dimerize, and two dimers can aggregate to a tetramer. Significance: The crystal structure of the latter furnishes several clues about the events necessary for cluster generation.