Structural basis for the disaggregase activity and regulation of Hsp104

The Hsp104 disaggregase is a two-ring ATPase machine that rescues various forms of non-native proteins including the highly resistant amyloid fibers. The structural-mechanistic underpinnings of how the recovery of toxic protein aggregates is promoted and how this potent unfolding activity is prevented from doing collateral damage to cellular proteins are not well understood. Here, we present structural and biochemical data revealing the organization of Hsp104 from Chaetomium thermophilum at 3.7 angstrom resolution. We show that the coiled-coil domains encircling the disaggregase constitute a 'restraint mask' that sterically controls the mobility and thus the unfolding activity of the ATPase modules. In addition, we identify a mechanical linkage that coordinates the activity of the two ATPase rings and accounts for the high unfolding potential of Hsp104. Based on these findings, we propose a general model for how Hsp104 and related chaperones operate and are kept under control until recruited to appropriate substrates

Quinone reductase acts as a redox switch of the 20 S yeast proteasome

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102111/1/embr2008218.pd

Structure and function of YcnD from Bacillus subtilis, a flavin-containing oxidoreductase

YcnD from the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis is a member of a family of bacterial proteins that act as NADH- and/or NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases. Here, we report for the first time on the biochemical characterization of the purified protein, demonstrating that YcnD is an FMN-containing enzyme that can be reduced by NADH or NADPH (Km = 6.4 and 4.4 microM, respectively). In the presence of free FMN as the electron-accepting substrate, the latter reductant showed a ping-pong Bi-Bi reaction mechanism, whereas utilization of NADH is competitively inhibited by this substrate. This finding suggests that NADPH is the physiological reductant of the enzyme. We also show that YcnD reduces nitro-organic compounds, chromate, and a series of azo dyes. The reduction of azo dyes appears to be mediated by free reduced FMN because the reaction is considerably slower in its absence. Structure determination by X-ray crystallography revealed that YcnD folds into a three layer alpha-beta-alpha sandwich strongly resembling the topology of the NADH oxidase superfamily. Similar to homologous bacterial oxidoreductase, YcnD forms homodimers with an extended dimer interface. The biochemical data and the structure are discussed in light of the putative physiological function of YcnD as an oxidoreductase delivering reduced FMN to enzymes that require the reduced cofactor for activity

Lot6p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a FMN-dependent reductase with a potential role in quinone detoxification

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/71921/1/j.1742-4658.2007.05682.x.pd