a b s t r a c tThe HypC and HypD maturases are required for the biosynthesis of the Fe(CN) 2 CO cofactor in the large subunit of [NiFe]-hydrogenases. Using infrared spectroscopy we demonstrate that an anaerobically purified, Strep-tagged HypCD complex from Escherichia coli exhibits absorption bands characteristic of diatomic CO and CN À ligands as well as CO 2 . Metal and sulphide analyses revealed that along with the [4Fe-4S] 2+ cluster in HypD, the complex has two additional oxygen-labile Fe ions. We prove that HypD cysteine 41 is required for the coordination of all three ligands. These findings suggest that the HypCD complex carries minimally the Fe(CN) 2 CO cofactor.

Edited by Peter Brzezinski Keywords:Carbon dioxide Hydrogenase Iron Infrared spectroscopy Metalloprotein Maturation a b s t r a c t[NiFe]-hydrogenase accessory proteins HypC and HypD form a complex that binds a Fe-(CN) 2 CO moiety and CO 2 . In this study two HypC homologues from Escherichia coli were purified under strictly anaerobic conditions and both contained sub-stoichiometric amounts of iron (approx. 0.3 mol Fe/mol HypC). Infrared spectroscopic analysis identified a signature at 2337 cm À1 indicating bound CO 2 . Aerobically isolated HypC lacked both Fe and CO 2 . Exchange of either of the highly conserved amino acid residues Cys2 or His51 abolished both Fe-and CO 2 -binding. Our results suggest that HypC delivers CO 2 bound directly to Fe for reduction to CO by HypD. Structured summary of protein interactions:HypC and HypC bind by comigration in sds page (View interaction) HybG and HybG bind by comigration in sds page (View interaction)

[NiFe]-hydrogenases (Hyd) bind a nickel-iron-based cofactor. The Fe ion of the cofactor is bound by two cyanide ligands and a single carbon monoxide ligand. Minimally six accessory proteins (HypA-HypF) are necessary for NiFe(CN)2CO cofactor biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. It has been shown that the anaerobically purified HypC-HypD-HypE scaffold complex carries the Fe(CN)2CO moiety of this cofactor. In the present study, we have purified the HybG-HypDE complex and used it to successfully reconstitute in vitro active Hyd from E. coli. HybG is a homologue of HypC that is specifically required for the maturation of Hyd-2 and also functions in the maturation of Hyd-1 of E. coli. Maturation of active Hyd-1 and Hyd-2 could be demonstrated in extracts derived from HybG- and HypD-deficient E. coli strains by adding anaerobically purified HybG-HypDE complex. In vitro maturation was dependent on ATP, carbamoylphosphate, nickel and reducing conditions. Hydrogenase maturation was prevented when the purified HybG-HypDE complex used in the maturation assay lacked a bound Fe(CN)2CO moiety. These findings demonstrate that it is possible to isolate incompletely processed intermediates on the maturation pathway and to use these to activate apo-forms of [NiFe]-hydrogenase large subunits.

The class of [NiFe]–hydrogenases is characterized by a bimetallic cofactor comprising low–spin nickel and iron ions, the latter of which is modified with a single carbon monoxide (CO) and two cyanide (CN−) molecules. Generation of these ligands in vivo requires a complex maturation apparatus in which the HypC–HypD complex acts as a ‘construction site’ for the Fe–(CN)2CO portion of the cofactor. The order of addition of the CO and CN– ligands determines the ultimate structure and catalytic efficiency of the cofactor; however much debate surrounds the succession of events. Here, we present an FT–IR spectroscopic analysis of HypC–HypD isolated from a hydrogenase–competent wild–type strain of Escherichia coli. In contrast to previously reported samples, HypC–HypD showed spectral contributions indicative of an electron–rich Fe–CO cofactor, at the same time lacking any Fe–CN– signatures. This immature iron site binds external CO and undergoes oxidative damage when in contact with O2. Binding of CO protects the site against loss of spectral features associated with O2 damage. Our findings strongly suggest that CO ligation precedes cyanation in vivo. Furthermore, the results provide a rationale for the deleterious effects of O2 on in vivo cofactor biosynthesis.