Cell signaling relies extensively on dynamic pools of redox-inactive metal ions such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and zinc, but their redox-active transition metal counterparts such as copper and iron have been studied primarily as static enzyme cofactors. Here we report that copper is an endogenous regulator of lipolysis, the breakdown of fat, which is an essential process in maintaining the body's weight and energy stores. Utilizing a murine model of genetic copper misregulation, in combination with pharmacological alterations in copper status and imaging studies in a 3T3-L1 white adipocyte model, we demonstrate that copper regulates lipolysis at the level of the second messenger, cyclic AMP (cAMP), by altering the activity of the cAMP-degrading phosphodiesterase PDE3B. Biochemical studies of the copper-PDE3B interaction establish copper-dependent inhibition of enzyme activity and identify a key conserved cysteine residue within a PDE3-specific loop that is essential for the observed copper-dependent lipolytic phenotype.

Microorganisms have evolved to utilize nickel ions in several different enzyme systems that enable these organisms to survive and proliferate in various environments. Typically the biosynthesis of these nickel containing enzymes are multi-step processes involving a number of accessory proteins, with one or more proteins dedicated to the delivery of the cognate nickel ion to the active site of the enzyme. This review highlights the nickel proteins dedicated to the biogenesis of [NiFe]-hydrogenase, urease, and carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, and aims to summarize our current knowledge of these unique proteins. Putative proteins that function in excess nickel storage and/or detoxification, through sequestration of considerable amount of nickel, are also discussed.

Seeing double: Use of the highly anisotropic terpyridine ligand in combination with the anisotropic, linear dicyanoaurate anion produces a series of coordination polymers that are among the most strongly birefringent solid materials ever reported (see picture).

The maturation of [NiFe]-hydrogenase in E. coli is a complex process involving many steps and multiple accessory proteins. The two accessory proteins, HypA and HypB, interact with each other and are thought to cooperate to insert nickel into the active site of the hydrogenase-3 precursor protein. Both of these accessory proteins bind metal individually, but little is known about the metal-binding activities of the proteins once they assemble together into a functional complex. In this study, we investigate how complex formation modulates metal binding to the E. coli proteins HypA and HypB. This work lead to a re-evaluation of the HypA nickel affinity, revealing a K D on the order of 10 −8 M. HypA can efficiently remove nickel, but not zinc, from the metal-binding site in the GTPase domain of HypB, a process that is less efficient when complex formation between HypA and HypB is disrupted. Furthermore, nickel release from HypB to HypA is specifically accelerated when HypB is loaded with GDP, but not GTP. These results are consistent with the HypA-HypB complex serving as a transfer step in the relay of nickel from membrane transporter to its final destination in the hydrogenase active site, and suggest that this complex contributes to the metal fidelity of this pathway. KeywordsMetalloprotein; metal chaperone; nickel metabolism; nickel transfer; [NiFe] hydrogenase; hydrogenase maturation; HypA; HypB Many enzymes require transition metal ions at their active sites in order to function, 1, 2 and access to the appropriate metals is often vital for the survival of the organism. Strikingly, the same metals that are essential can also be toxic when distribution is not properly controlled. 3,4 An intracellular excess of one type of metal may result in competition with other metals required as cofactors for regulatory or enzymatic processes, 3,5 or catalyze the formation of † This work was supported by funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research as well as graduate fellowships from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (to C.D.D. and H. K.). *To whom correspondence should be addressed. Deborah B. Zamble: Tel: 416-978-3568. dzamble@chem.utoronto.ca. Author ContributionsThe manuscript was written through contributions of all authors. All authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript.Supporting Information. Control experiments of mutant variants of HypB, scripts for fitting, crosslinking experiments, and predicted masses of metal-protein species are contained within the supporting information. This material is available free of charge via the Internet at http://pubs.acs.org. CIHR Author ManuscriptCIHR Author Manuscript CIHR Author Manuscript free radicals, 6 both detrimental circumstances. For this reason, organisms have intricate systems dedicated to the controlled flow of essential metals throughout the cell. 4,[7][8][9] For example, through the use of metallochaperone proteins metal ions can be directed to where they are needed, minimizing the demand for ...

SlyD interacts with HypB and contributes to nickel insertion during [NiFe]-hydrogenase biogenesis. Herein, we provide evidence of SlyD acting as a nickel storage determinant in Escherichia coli and show that this Ni(II) can be mobilized to HypB in vitro even under competitive conditions. Furthermore, SlyD enhances the GTPase activity of HypB, and acceleration of release of Ni(II) from HypB is more pronounced when HypB is GDP-bound. The data support a model in which a HypB-SlyD complex establishes communication between GTP hydrolysis and nickel delivery and provide insight into the role of the HypB-SlyD complex during [NiFe]-hydrogenase biosynthesis.

The syntheses and properties are reported for five Ru(acac)2(R-bqdi) species where acac is acetylacetonate, and R-bqdi is the non-innocent ligand ortho-benzoquinonediimine substituted with R = H (1), 4,5-dimethyl (2), 4-Cl (3), or 4-NO2 (4), and N,N''-dimethylsulfonyl (5). Their identities and purities were confirmed by NMR, mass spectra, IR and analytical data. The large degree of metal-to-ligand pi-back-donation was analyzed by spectroscopic (UV/visible, IR, Raman) and electrochemical data, supported by molecular orbital composition computations using density functional theory (DFT), with the polarizable continuum model (PCM) to mimic the presence of solvent, and prediction of electronic spectra using time-dependent DFT methods. Extended charge decomposition analysis (ECDA) and natural population analysis (NPA) both produced a detailed picture of the bonding between the non-innocent bqdi ligand and the metal center, allowing correlations to be drawn between the nature of the R substituents and the quantitative extent of pi-back-donation and sigma-forward donation. In conclusion, the issue of whether these species are best regarded as Ru(II)(quinonediimine) or coupled Ru(III)(semiquinonediiminate) species is discussed.

The reaction of Pb(ClO4)2 x xH2O, an ancillary ligand L, and two equivalents of Au(CN)2(-) gave a series of crystalline coordination polymers, which were structurally characterized. The ligands were chosen to represent a range of increasing basicity, to influence the stereochemical activity (i.e., p-orbital character) of the Pb(II) lone pair. The Pb(II) center in [Pb(1,10-phenanthroline)2][Au(CN)2]2 (1) is 8-coordinate, with a stereochemically inactive lone pair; all 8 Pb-N bonds are similar. The Au(CN)2(-) units propagate a 2-D brick-wall structure. In [Pb(2,2'-bipyridine)2][Au(CN)2]2 (2), the 8-coordinate Pb(II) center has asymmetric Pb-N bond lengths, indicating moderate lone pair stereochemical activity; the supramolecular structure forms a 1-D chain/ribbon motif. For [Pb(ethylenediamine)][Au(CN)2]2 (3), the Pb(II) is only 5-coordinate and extremely asymmetric, with Pb-N bond lengths from 2.123(7) to 3.035(9) A; a rare Pb-Au contact of 3.5494(5) A is also observed. The Au(CN)2(-) units connect the Pb(ethylenediamine) centers to form 1-D zigzag chains which stack via Au-Au interactions of 3.3221(5) A to yield a 2-D sheet. (207)Pb MAS NMR of the polymers indicates an increase in both the chemical shielding span and isotropic chemical shift with increasing Pb(II) coordination sphere anisotropy (from delta iso = -2970 and Omega = 740 for 1 to delta iso = -448 and Omega = 3980 for 3). The shielding anisotropy is positively correlated with Pb(II) p-character, and reflects a direct connection between the NMR parameters and lone-pair activity. Solid-state variable-temperature luminescence measurements indicate that the emission bands at 520 and 494 nm, for 1 and 2, respectively, can be attributed to Pb --> L transitions, by comparison with simple [Pb(L)2](ClO4)2 salts. In contrast, two emission bands for 3 at 408 and 440 nm are assignable to Au-Au and Pb-Au-based transitions, respectively, as supported by single-point density-functional theory calculations on models of 3.

Metallochaperones are essential for the safe and targeted delivery of necessary yet toxic metal cofactors to their respective protein partners. In this study we examine the nickel-binding properties of the Escherichia coli protein SlyD, a factor that contributes to optimal nickel accumulation in this organism. This protein is also required for E. coli energy metabolism because it participates in the nickel insertion step during [Ni-Fe]-hydrogenase metallocenter assembly. Our study demonstrates that SlyD is a multiple nickel ion binding protein. The analysis of noncovalent metal-protein complexes via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry revealed that SlyD binds up to seven nickel ions in a noncooperative manner with submicromolar affinity (<2 microM, upper limit) and that the protein exists in a dynamic mixture of metalloforms that is dependent on the availability of nickel ions in solution. Structural analysis indicates that this metallochaperone undergoes small but distinct changes in the structure upon metal binding and that the nickel-binding sites are assembled through beta-turn formation. Although the C-terminal metal-binding domain is primarily responsible for metal chelation, we find that metal binding also perturbs the structure of the N-terminal domains. An investigation of the nickel sites by using X-ray absorption spectroscopy shows that SlyD binds nickel ions by adapting several different geometries and coordination numbers. Finally, the characterization of SlyD mutants demonstrates that the cysteine residues in the C-terminal domain confer tighter affinity as well as increased binding capacity to SlyD. On the basis of the presented data a model for nickel binding to SlyD as well as its role in nickel homeostasis is discussed.