Resonance Raman Investigations of Cytochrome P450cam Complexed with Putidaredoxin

Abstract

We have performed resonance Raman and optical absorption studies on ferric cytochrome P450cam complexed with oxidized putidaredoxin. Optical absorption and resonance Raman measurements demonstrate that this complexation shifts the spin-state equilibrium of P450cam to the low-spin form. In the resonance Raman spectra, the ν3 heme skeletal mode characteristic of low-spin P450cam intensifies upon complexation with putidaredoxin. Its frequency is indistinguishable to that of the usual low-spin species, indicating that this low-spin form originates from a water-bound, hexacoordinate heme. This observation suggests that putidaredoxin binding affects the distal side of P450cam and allows water entry into the heme pocket. We also examined the effects of putidaredoxin binding on the heme axial ligand (Fe−S) stretching mode. The binding of putidaredoxin upshifts the mode by ∼3 cm-1. Investigations of the Fe−S mode for the Thr252 → Ala distal pocket mutant and P450cam bound to various camphor analogues demonstrate that the frequency of the νFe-S is sensitive to distal pocket water. The water lowers the Fe−S stretching frequency by ∼1 cm-1, demonstrating that the putidaredoxin-induced ∼3-cm-1 increase in the Fe−S stretching frequency is not simply caused by the increased hydration of the heme pocket. We also found that the Fe−S frequency is increased by ∼0.5 cm-1 in the presence of high salt concentrations. This result suggests that the shielding of positive charges at the proximal face of P450cam leads to an increased νFe-S frequency. The salt effect is consistent with the observation that the binding of negatively charged putidaredoxin at the proximal side of the enzyme also increases the νFe-S frequency. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that electrostatic shielding of charged groups on the proximal face of P450cam takes place when putidaredoxin binds and contributes to the observed upshift of the Fe−S mode.