f Metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) are broad-spectrum, Zn(II)-dependent lactamases able to confer resistance to virtually every ␤-lactam antibiotic currently available. The large diversity of active-site structures and metal content among MBLs from different sources has limited the design of a pan-MBL inhibitor. GOB-18 is a divergent MBL from subclass B3 that is expressed by the opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. This MBL is atypical, since several residues conserved in B3 enzymes (such as a metal ligand His) are substituted in GOB enzymes. Here, we report the crystal structure of the periplasmic di-Zn(II) form of GOB-18. This enzyme displays a unique active-site structure, with residue Gln116 coordinating the Zn1 ion through its terminal amide moiety, replacing a ubiquitous His residue. This situation contrasts with that of B2 MBLs, where an equivalent His116Asn substitution leads to a di-Zn(II) inactive species. Instead, both the mono-and di-Zn(II) forms of GOB-18 are active against penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems. In silico docking and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that residue Met221 is not involved in substrate binding, in contrast to Ser221, which otherwise is conserved in most B3 enzymes. These distinctive features are conserved in recently reported GOB orthologues in environmental bacteria. These findings provide valuable information for inhibitor design and also posit that GOB enzymes have alternative functions.T he expression of ␤-lactamases is the main mechanism of bacterial resistance against ␤-lactam antibiotics. These enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of the amide bond in the ␤-lactam ring characteristic of this family of drugs (1-5). MBLs are metal-dependent hydrolases which generally use Zn(II) as a Lewis acid to activate a water molecule for the nucleophilic attack. These enzymes are refractive to clinically employed lactamase inhibitors (1) and have a particular relevance in the clinical setting as they can hydrolyze a broad spectrum of ␤-lactam substrates, being able to inactivate carbapenems, the "last-resort" antibiotics in antibacterial therapy (6).MBLs have been classified into subclasses B1, B2, and B3 based on sequence identity (7). Crystal structures of MBLs from the three subclasses have revealed that these enzymes present a common ␣␤/␤␣ sandwich fold, with the active site located within a groove at the interface between these two halves (1-6). The Zn(II)-binding residues vary among different subclasses, giving rise to diverse metal site architectures and metal contents required for activity (1-6). B1 and B3 MBLs are broad-spectrum enzymes that hydrolyze penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems with a wide variety of in vitro catalytic efficiencies, displaying a broad range of resistance profiles in vivo (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)8). The di-Zn(II) form of B1 MBLs has been shown to be the active form in the bacterial periplasm, despite contradictory data obtained from in vitro studies (8-10). These enzymes display a conserved metal binding m...

Hemoglobins (Hbs) of crocodilians are reportedly characterized by unique mechanisms of allosteric regulatory control, but there are conflicting reports regarding the importance of different effectors, such as chloride ions, organic phosphates, and CO2. Progress in understanding the unusual properties of crocodilian Hbs has also been hindered by a dearth of structural information. Here, we present the first comparative analysis of blood properties and Hb structure and function in a phylogenetically diverse set of crocodilian species. We examine mechanisms of allosteric regulation in the Hbs of 13 crocodilian species belonging to the families Crocodylidae and Alligatoridae. We also report new amino acid sequences for the α- and β-globins of these taxa, which, in combination with structural analyses, provide insights into molecular mechanisms of allosteric regulation. All crocodilian Hbs exhibited a remarkably strong sensitivity to CO2, which would permit effective O2 unloading to tissues in response to an increase in metabolism during intense activity and diving. Although the Hbs of all crocodilians exhibit similar intrinsic O2-affinities, there is considerable variation in sensitivity to Cl− ions and ATP, which appears to be at least partly attributable to variation in the extent of NH2-terminal acetylation. Whereas chloride appears to be a potent allosteric effector of all crocodile Hbs, ATP has a strong, chloride-independent effect on Hb-O2 affinity only in caimans. Modeling suggests that allosteric ATP binding has a somewhat different structural basis in crocodilian and mammalian Hbs.