Elucidation of ligand binding and dimerization of
NADPH:protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) oxidoreductase (POR) from pea (Pisum
sativum L.) by structural analysis and simulations
Abstract
NADPH:protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) oxidoreductase (POR) is a key enzyme
of chlorophyll biosynthesis in angiosperms. It is one of few known
photoenzymes, which catalyzes the light-activated trans-reduction of the
C17-C18 double bond of Pchlide’s porphyrin ring. Due to the light
requirement, dark-grown angiosperms cannot synthesize chlorophyll. No
crystal structure of POR is available, so to improve understanding of
the protein’s three-dimensional structure, its dimerization, and binding
of ligands (both the cofactor NADPH and substrate Pchlide), we
computationally investigated the sequence and structural relationships
among homologous proteins identified through database searches. The
results indicate that α4 and α7 helices of monomers form the interface
of POR dimers. On the basis of conserved residues, we predicted 11
functionally important amino acids that play important roles in POR
binding to NADPH. Structural comparison of available crystal structures
revealed that they participate in formation of binding pockets that
accommodate the Pchlide ligand, and that five atoms of the closed
tetrapyrrole are involved in non-bonding interactions. However, we
detected no clear pattern in the physico-chemical characteristics of the
amino acids they interact with. Thus, we hypothesize that interactions
of these atoms in the Pchlide porphyrin ring are important to hold the
ligand within the POR binding site. Analysis of Pchlide binding in POR
by molecular docking and PELE simulations revealed that the orientation
of the nicotinamide group is important for Pchlide binding. These
findings highlight the complexity of interactions of
porphyrin-containing ligands with proteins, and we suggest that
fit-inducing processes play important roles in POR-Pchlide interactions.