Scientific Reports (Jul 2017)

Structural and Functional Analysis of Latex Clearing Protein (Lcp) Provides Insight into the Enzymatic Cleavage of Rubber

  • Lorena Ilcu,
  • Wolf Röther,
  • Jakob Birke,
  • Anton Brausemann,
  • Oliver Einsle,
  • Dieter Jendrossek

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-05268-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Latex clearing proteins (Lcps) are rubber oxygenases that catalyse the extracellular cleavage of poly (cis-1,4-isoprene) by Gram-positive rubber degrading bacteria. Lcp of Streptomyces sp. K30 (LcpK30) is a b-type cytochrome and acts as an endo-type dioxygenase producing C20 and higher oligo-isoprenoids that differ in the number of isoprene units but have the same terminal functions, CHO-CH2– and –CH2-COCH3. Our analysis of the LcpK30 structure revealed a 3/3 globin fold with additional domains at the N- and C-termini and similarities to globin-coupled sensor proteins. The haem group of LcpK30 is ligated to the polypeptide by a proximal histidine (His198) and by a lysine residue (Lys167) as the distal axial ligand. The comparison of LcpK30 structures in a closed and in an open state as well as spectroscopic and biochemical analysis of wild type and LcpK30 muteins provided insights into the action of the enzyme during catalysis.