Mechanism of a Class C Radical S-Adenosyl- l -methionine Thiazole Methyl Transferase

Zhengan Zhang, Nilkamal Mahanta, Graham A. Hudson, Douglas A. Mitchell, Wilfred A. Van Der Donk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The past decade has seen the discovery of four different classes of radical S-adenosylmethionine (rSAM) methyltransferases that methylate unactivated carbon centers. Whereas the mechanism of class A is well understood, the molecular details of methylation by classes B-D are not. In this study, we present detailed mechanistic investigations of the class C rSAM methyltransferase TbtI involved in the biosynthesis of the potent thiopeptide antibiotic thiomuracin. TbtI C-methylates a Cys-derived thiazole during posttranslational maturation. Product analysis demonstrates that two SAM molecules are required for methylation and that one SAM (SAM1) is converted to 5′-deoxyadenosine and the second SAM (SAM2) is converted to S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH). Isotope labeling studies show that a hydrogen is transferred from the methyl group of SAM2 to the 5′-deoxyadenosine of SAM1 and the other two hydrogens of the methyl group of SAM2 appear in the methylated product. In addition, a hydrogen appears to be transferred from the β-position of the thiazole to the methyl group in the product. We also show that the methyl protons in the product can exchange with solvent. A mechanism consistent with these observations is presented that differs from other characterized radical SAM methyltransferases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)18623-18631
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume139
Issue number51
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 27 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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