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Abstract Background The eukaryotic green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, produces H2 under anaerobic conditions, in a reaction catalysed by a [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase HydA1. For further biochemical and biophysical studies a suitable expression system of this enzyme should be found to overcome its weak expression in the host organism. Two heterologous expression systems used up to now have several advantages. However they are not free from some drawbacks. In this work we use bacterium Shewanella oneidensis as a new and efficient system for expression and maturation of HydA1 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Results Based on codon usage bias and hydrogenase maturation ability, the bacterium S. oneidensis, which possesses putative [Fe-Fe] and [Ni-Fe] hydrogenase operons, was selected as the best potential host for C. reinhardtii [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase expression. Hydrogen formation by S. oneidensis strain AS52 (ΔhydAΔhyaB) transformed with a plasmid bearing CrHydA1 and grown in the presence of six different substrates for anaerobic respiration was determined. A significant increase in hydrogen evolution was observed for cells grown in the presence of trimethylamine oxide, dimethylsulfoxide and disodium thiosulfate, showing that the system of S. oneidensis is efficient for heterologous expression of algal [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase. Conclusion In the present work a new efficient system for heterologous expression and maturation of C. reinhardtii hydrogenase has been developed. HydA1 of C. reinhardtii was purified and shown to contain 6 Fe atoms/molecule of protein, as expected. Using DMSO, TMAO or thiosulfate as substrates for anaerobic respiration during the cell growth, 0.4 – 0.5 mg l-1(OD600 = 1) of catalytically active HydA1 was obtained with hydrogen evolution rate of ~700 μmol H2 mg-1 min-1.

The transcriptional regulator HAP4, induced by respiratory substrates, is involved in the balance between fermentation and respiration in S. cerevisiae. We identified putative orthologues of the Hap4 protein in all ascomycetes, based only on a conserved sixteen amino acid-long motif. In addition to this motif, some of these proteins contain a DNA-binding motif of the bZIP type, while being nonetheless globally highly divergent. The genome of the yeast Hansenula polymorpha contains two HAP4-like genes encoding the protein HpHap4-A which, like ScHap4, is devoid of a bZIP motif, and HpHap4-B which contains it. This species has been chosen for a detailed examination of their respective properties. Based mostly on global gene expression studies performed in the S. cerevisiae HAP4 disruption mutant (ScΔhap4), we show here that HpHap4-A is functionally equivalent to ScHap4, whereas HpHap4-B is not. Moreover HpHAP4-B is able to complement the H2O2 hypersensitivity of the ScYap1 deletant, YAP1 being, in S. cerevisiae, the main regulator of oxidative stress. Finally, a transcriptomic analysis performed in the ScΔyap1 strain overexpressing HpHAP4-B shows that HpHap4-B acts both on oxidative stress response and carbohydrate metabolism in a manner different from both ScYap1 and ScHap4. Deletion of these two genes in their natural host, H. polymorpha, confirms that HpHAP4-A participates in the control of the fermentation/respiration balance, while HpHAP4-B is involved in oxidative stress since its deletion leads to hypersensitivity to H2O2. These data, placed in an evolutionary context, raise new questions concerning the evolution of the HAP4 transcriptional regulation function and suggest that Yap1 and Hap4 have diverged from a unique regulatory protein in the fungal ancestor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature is a valuable source of inspiration in the design of catalysts, and various approaches are used to elucidate the mechanism of hydrogenases, the enzymes that oxidize or produce H2. In FeFe hydrogenases, H2 oxidation occurs at the H-cluster, and catalysis involves H2 binding on the vacant coordination site of an iron centre. Here, we show that the reversible oxidative inactivation of this enzyme results from the binding of H2 to coordination positions that are normally blocked by intrinsic CO ligands. This flexibility of the coordination sphere around the reactive iron centre confers on the enzyme the ability to avoid harmful reactions under oxidizing conditions, including exposure to O2. The versatile chemistry of the diiron cluster in the natural system might inspire the design of novel synthetic catalysts for H2 oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Biohydrogen is considered as an important key to a sustainable world power supply and is currently being seen as the versatile fuel of the future, with the potential to replace fossil fuels. The most efficient biohydrogen producers are hydrogenases. Nevertheless, due to the complex maturation processes of these enzymes, their heterologous production leaves some intriguing points not elucidated up to now. The limit of our understanding in this field makes a barrier for hydrogenases application in a variety of biotechnological processes. This review focuses on recent progresses in the development of heterologous production systems and cell-free maturation systems for the biosynthesis of active [Fe–Fe] and [Ni–Fe] hydrogenases. It also highlights some up to now un-discussed questions on the probable existence of unknown machinery able to maturate [Fe–Fe] hydrogenases or a contribution of the [Ni–Fe] hydrogenases maturases to the formation of an active H-cluster for the [Fe–Fe] hydrogenases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: [Fe–Fe] hydrogenases, with hydrogen evolution activities outperforming [Ni–Fe] hydrogenases by 3–4 orders of magnitude, are still the most promising enzyme class for hydrogen production purposes. For Chlamydomonas reinhardtii [Fe–Fe] hydrogenase HydA1 the question of catalytic activity and electron transport is of main importance. Here we report the characterization of two mutant forms of C. reinhardtii HydA1. An aspartic acid in place of arginine171 leads to a six-fold increase of the catalytic activity in comparison to the wild type protein during methyl viologen-dependent hydrogen production. Tryptophan in position 171 does not result in any change in methyl viologen-induced activity. At the same time these mutations lead to a strong decrease in ferredoxin-dependent hydrogen production while the catalytic center of mutant forms stays intact. The localization of this amino acid (arginine171) in the environment of CrHydA1 H-cluster indicates that the limitation of the catalytic activity of this hydrogenase is due to the electron transfer step to the catalytic center where the reduction of protons takes place. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Direct electron transfer between enzymes and electrodes is now commonly achieved, but obtaining protein films that are very stable may be challenging. This is particularly crucial in the case of hydrogenases, the enzymes that catalyze the biological conversion between dihydrogen and protons, because the instability of the hydrogenase films may prevent the use of these enzymes as electrocatalysts of H2 oxidation and production in biofuel cells and photoelectrochemical cells. Here we show that two different FeFe hydrogenases (from Chamydomonas reinhardtii and Clostridium acetobutylicum) can be covalently attached to functionalized pyrolytic graphite electrodes using peptidic coupling. In both cases, a surface patch of lysine residues makes it possible to favor an orientation that is efficient for fast, direct electron transfer. High hydrogen-oxidation current densities are maintained for up to one week, the only limitation being the intrinsic stability of the enzyme. We also show that covalent attachment has no effect on the catalytic properties of the enzyme, which means that this strategy can also used be for electrochemical studies of the catalytic mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously cloned Candida famata ( Debaryomyces hansenii) strain VKM Y-9 genomic DNA fragments containing genes RIB1 (codes for GTP cyclohydrolase II), RIB2 (encodes specific reductase), RIB5 (codes for dimethylribityllumazine synthase), RIB6 (encodes dihydroxybutanone phosphate synthase) and RIB7 (codes for riboflavin synthase) were sequenced. The derived amino acid sequences of C. famata RIB genes showed extensive homology to the corresponding sequences of riboflavin synthesis enzymes of other yeast species. The highest identity was observed to homologues of D. hansenii CBS767, as C. famata is the anamorph of this hemiascomycetous yeast. The D. hansenii CBS767 RIB3 gene encoding specific deaminase was cloned. This gene successfully complemented riboflavin auxotrophy of the rib3 mutant of flavinogenic yeast, Pichia guilliermondii. Putative iron-responsive elements (potential sites for binding of the transcription factors Fep1p or Aft1p and Aft2p) were found in the upstream regions of some C. famata and D. hansenii RIB genes. The sequences of C. famata RIB genes have been submitted to the EMBL data library under Accession Nos AJ810169-AJ810173. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Here we demonstrate that elimination of ClaI restriction site from the sequence of a plasmid DNA increases the efficiency of transformation of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 significantly. To achieve reliable transformation of S. oneidensis MR-1 plasmids either lacking ClaI site or isolated from primary transformants of S. oneidensis should be used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By analysing the results of experiments carried out with two FeFe hydrogenases and several “channel mutants” of a NiFe hydrogenase, we demonstrate that whether or not hydrogen evolution is significantly inhibited by H2 is not a consequence of active site chemistry, but rather relates to H2 transport within the enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 possesses a periplasmic [NiFe]-hydrogenase (MR-1 [NiFe]-H2ase) that has been implicated in H2 production and oxidation as well as technetium [Tc(VII)] reduction. To characterize the roles of MR-1 [NiFe]-H2ase in these proposed reactions, the genes encoding both subunits of MR-1 [NiFe]-H2ase were cloned and then expressed in an MR-1 mutant without hyaB and hydA genes. Expression of recombinant MR-1 [NiFe]-H2ase in trans restored the mutant's ability to produce H2 at 37% of that for the wild type. Following purification, MR-1 [NiFe]-H2ase coupled H2 oxidation to reduction of Tc(VII)O4- and methyl viologen. Change of the buffers used affected MR-1 [NiFe]-H2ase-mediated reduction of Tc(VII)O4- but not methyl viologen. Under the conditions tested, all Tc(VII)O4- used was reduced in Tris buffer, while in HEPES buffer, only 20% of Tc(VII)O4- was reduced. The reduced products were soluble in Tris buffer but insoluble in HEPES buffer. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that Tc precipitates reduced in HEPES buffer were aggregates of crystallites with diameters of 5 nm. Measurements with X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy revealed that the reduction products were a mixture of Tc(IV) and Tc(V) in Tris buffer but only Tc(IV) in HEPES buffer. Measurements with extended X-ray adsorption fine structure showed that while the Tc bonding environment in Tris buffer could not be determined, the Tc(IV) product in HEPES buffer was very similar to Tc(IV)O2·nH2O, which was also the product of Tc(VII)O4- reduction by MR-1 cells. These results shows for the first time that MR-1 [NiFe]-H2ase catalyzes Tc(VII)O4- reduction directly by coupling to H2 oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]