QM/MM studies of the enzyme-catalyzed dechlorination of 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA provide insight into reaction energetics

Dingguo Xu, Yanseng Wei, Jingbo Wu, Debra Dunaway-Mariano, Hua Guo, Qiang Cui, Jiali Gao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

The conversion of 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA to 4-hydroxybenzoyl-CoA catalyzed by 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA dehalogenase is investigated using combined QM/MM approaches. The calculated potential of mean force at the PM3/CHARMM level supports the proposed nucleophilic aromatic substitution mechanism. In particular, a Meisenheimer intermediate was found, stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the benzoyl carbonyl of the ligand and two backbone amide NHs at positions 64 and 114. Mutation of Gly113 to Ala significantly increases the barrier by disrupting the hydrogen bond with the Gly114 backbone. The formation of the Meisenheimer complex is accompanied by significant charge redistribution and structural changes in the substrate benzoyl moiety, consistent with experimental observations. Theoretical results suggest that the reaction rate is limited by the formation of the Meisenheimer complex, rather than by its decomposition. A kinetic model based on the calculated free energy profile is found to be consistent with the experimental time course data.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)13649-13658
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume126
Issue number42
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 27 2004

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'QM/MM studies of the enzyme-catalyzed dechlorination of 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA provide insight into reaction energetics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this