Structure and mechanism of the alkane-oxidizing enzyme AlkB

Xue Guo, Jianxiu Zhang, Lei Han, Juliet Lee, Shoshana C. Williams, Allison Forsberg, Yan Xu, Rachel Narehood Austin () and Liang Feng ()
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Xue Guo: Stanford University School of Medicine
Jianxiu Zhang: Stanford University School of Medicine
Lei Han: Stanford University School of Medicine
Juliet Lee: Barnard College
Shoshana C. Williams: Barnard College
Allison Forsberg: Barnard College
Yan Xu: Stanford University School of Medicine
Rachel Narehood Austin: Barnard College
Liang Feng: Stanford University School of Medicine

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Alkanes are the most energy-rich form of carbon and are widely dispersed in the environment. Their transformation by microbes represents a key step in the global carbon cycle. Alkane monooxygenase (AlkB), a membrane-spanning metalloenzyme, converts straight chain alkanes to alcohols in the first step of the microbially-mediated degradation of alkanes, thereby playing a critical role in the global cycling of carbon and the bioremediation of oil. AlkB biodiversity is attributed to its ability to oxidize alkanes of various chain lengths, while individual AlkBs target a relatively narrow range. Mechanisms of substrate selectivity and catalytic activity remain elusive. Here we report the cryo-EM structure of AlkB, which provides a distinct architecture for membrane enzymes. Our structure and functional studies reveal an unexpected diiron center configuration and identify molecular determinants for substrate selectivity. These findings provide insight into the catalytic mechanism of AlkB and shed light on its function in alkane-degrading microorganisms.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37869-z

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