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Distinct properties underlie flavin-based electron bifurcation in a novel electron transfer flavoprotein FixAB from <i>Rhodopseudomonas palustris</i>.

Author
Abstract
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A newly recognized third fundamental mechanism of energy conservation in biology, electron bifurcation, uses free energy from exergonic redox reactions to drive endergonic redox reactions. Flavin-based electron bifurcation furnishes low-potential electrons to demanding chemical reactions, such as reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia. We employed the heterodimeric flavoenzyme FixAB from the diazotrophic bacterium to elucidate unique properties that underpin flavin-based electron bifurcation. FixAB is distinguished from canonical electron transfer flavoproteins (ETFs) by a second FAD that replaces the AMP of canonical ETF. We exploited near-UV-visible CD spectroscopy to resolve signals from the different flavin sites in FixAB and to interrogate the putative bifurcating FAD. CD aided in assigning the measured reduction midpoint potentials (° values) to individual flavins, and the ° values tested the accepted model regarding the redox properties required for bifurcation. We found that the higher-° flavin displays sequential one-electron (1-e) reductions to anionic semiquinone and then to hydroquinone, consistent with the reactivity seen in canonical ETFs. In contrast, the lower-° flavin displayed a single two-electron (2-e) reduction without detectable accumulation of semiquinone, consistent with unstable semiquinone states, as required for bifurcation. This is the first demonstration that a FixAB protein possesses the thermodynamic prerequisites for bifurcating activity, and the separation of distinct optical signatures for the two flavins lays a foundation for mechanistic studies to learn how electron flow can be directed in a protein environment. We propose that a novel optical signal observed at long wavelength may reflect electron delocalization between the two flavins.

Year of Publication
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2018
Journal
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The Journal of biological chemistry
Volume
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293
Issue
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13
Number of Pages
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4688-4701
Date Published
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2018
ISSN Number
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0021-9258
URL
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https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0021-9258(20)39773-8
DOI
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10.1074/jbc.RA117.000707
Short Title
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J Biol Chem
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